Thirteen agencies working in Africa have issued a Joint Statement calling on African governments to strengthen their child protection systems to secure the right of children to a life free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

The Guidelines for Action on Intercountry Adoption of Children in Africa was adopted at the Fifth International Policy Conference on the African Child held on 29-30 May 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The objectives of the Guidelines are to facilitate and support the efforts of States to take all appropriate legal, administrative, and other measures to ensure that all persons and organizations involved in the adoption of a child act in conformity with applicable international legal instruments. Recommendations are set forth for central authorities and accredited bodies.

In the recently released outcome document of the Fifth International Policy Conference on the African Child, conference delegates call for a reversal of the current trend of resorting to intercountry adoption as a primary solution for African children in need of alternative care, and for giving prime priority to enabling all children in Africa to remain with their families and communities.

This document provides an overview of The Fifth International Policy Conference on the African Child held on 29-30 May 2012 at the United Nations Conference Center Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The overall goal of the Fifth IPC was to further the discussion on intercountry adoption and to contribute to the improvement of national laws, policies, systems and procedures relating to intercountry adoption.

The Proceedings report presents summaries of all presentations delivered and of all plenary discussions held during each session of the Fifth International Policy Conference on the African Child (IPC) held on 29 and 30 May 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which brought together experts, policymakers, and key stakeholders to discuss various issues and the implications of intercountry adoption in Africa.

This Declaration on Child Rights and Wellbeing was adopted by the Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) in Bujumbura on 3rd September 2012 during the First EAC Child Rights Conference under the theme, “Addressing the issues that negatively impact on the realisation of child rights in the EAC.”

This document outlines an overarching National Health Policy for Zambia.

This mapping and assessment report of Malawi’s Child Protection System offers key recommendations to strengthen the child protection system, including enforcing legislation, coordinating mechanisms, building capacity of the social service workforce, harmonization of child protection services, and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

Ceci est une présentation à la Conférence sur le Renforcement de la Famille et la Prise en Charge Alternative en Afrique subsaharienne francophone en Mai 2012 en Dakar, Sénégal.

The national Adolescent Health Strategic Plan 2011 to 2015 (ADH-SP 2011- 2015) for Zambia, seeks to outline the strategic framework for promoting the planning, organization and delivery of appropriate, accessible, efficient and effective Adolescent Friendly Health Services (ADFHS) throughout the country.