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Anex was invited to a three day workshop in Maputo focusing on safe migration and children on the move in Southern Africa. In its capacity as a children’s rights organisation and a Southern African Network on Trafficking and the abuse of Children(SANTAC) partner in South Africa, Anex’s representation and participation was required to share information around it’s experiences with working with children on the move within the Western Cape.
The objectives of the workshop were to bring various stakeholders from around the SADAC region representing civil society , government and international organisations for the purposes of sharing information and dialogue on children on the Move within the region. The intended outcome of the workshop was to not merely encourage inter-regional dialogue but to also adopt a regional plan of action.
The workshop methodology comprised of participatory methods intended encourage debate and dialogue through , country presentations, situational analyses and brainstorming, All of which were to be coordinated and facilitated by two facilitators from Terre Des Hommes (Germany).
Speakers from various disciplines in government and civil society and countries in the region also shared information on trafficking and “children on the move”. The countries represented at the workshop were Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola , Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Anex’s participation at the workshop was valuable in imparting our experiences with working with trafficked children and children involved in child labour , both of which highlight the vulnerabilities of “children on the move”
The workshop provided an important opportunity for information exchange and networking amongst the participants. An action plan was established to focus on regional cooperation that would highlight the protection of children and raise awareness around the vulnerabilities of children on the move through various practical activities .Going forward, SANTAC has committed to coordinate the proposed activities to sustain this important initiative. Anex has been selected as one of the few implementing partner organisations for activities and initiatives taking place within South Africa that have a focus on “children on the move”.
By Matipa Mwamuka
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