Conference

I. Introduction

The Southern Africa Network against Trafficking and Abuse of Children (SANTAC) and Partners are organizing a Regional Conference on Trafficking in Children (TIC) to take place from 27 to 29 March at Kopanong Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Conference is expected to be a high level participation of representatives from civil society, government, academic groups and inter-governmental organizations committed to child protection issues.

SANTAC patrons Graça Machel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, view TIC as a serious violation of the rights and protection of the child that needs the attention and intervention of all governments and non-governmental institutions in Southern Africa and elsewhere. TIC violates children’s right to freedom, health, education, security and protection.

This conference forms part of SANTAC’s plan to create strategic intervention against the abuse, exploitation and TIC in the sub-regional. The conference which will bring together more than 100 key role-players and stakeholders, including children and young people, forms part of a preparatory technical process and will feed into the Southern Africa SADC/EU (Southern Africa Development Community/European Union) Regional Conference to take place in July 2007, in Maputo Mozambique, focussing on the same issue.

Conference Objectives include the following:
• Bring together all key role-players and stakeholders from Southern Africa concerning TIC;
• Develop understanding of the extent, nature and manifestations of TIC in Southern Africa;
• Share information and experiences on TIC in Southern Africa, and find responses;
• Discuss and explore strategies for intervention and prevention against TIC in Southern Africa;
• Identify a Plan of Action and commitment from role-players against TIC in the region;
• Draft and adopt a declaration to be submitted to the SAD/EU Conference.

Some key focal issues for the conference:
• Inter-governmental cooperation and bilateral intervention to combat TIC and protect children;
• Compliance to United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and SADC commitments;
• Implementation and reform of the law;
• Assistance and protection of victims and their rights;
• Reducing children’s vulnerability.

The conference format will include plenary presentation, workshop discussions and buzz groups. There till be plenty of opportunity for delegates to network and engage on a one-to-one basis.

II. Conference Details

Conference dates: 27 to 29 March 2007

Conference Venue:

Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre
243, Glen Gory Road, Benoni, Johannesburg, South Africa
P.O. BOX 10399, Bennoni1501, Johannesburg, South Africa
Phone: +27 (11) 749 0000
Fax: +27 (11) 967 1369

III. Participants

Approximately 100-150 participants representing civil society NGOs, as well as representatives of governments, SADC, UN, EU agencies and programmes

IV. Funding

At the moment funding to attend the conference is available for one government representative and one civil society representative from the following SADC countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The fundraisers are still in the process of raising funds for the remaining countries of Southern Africa (for more information please see contacts below).

V. Working languages

English, French and Portuguese: simultaneous translation during plenary and workshop sessions.

VI. Airline tickets and accommodation

For funded participants, SANTAC secretariat will arrange for travel to and from the conference, issue airline tickets and book accommodation. However, airline reservations will only be made in economy class and for the most economic and direct route from the delegates’ home countries to the conference. SANTAC will not be able to deal with any additional travel arrangements.

All changes to travel itineraries, including changes to dates, and travel companies, changes from economy to business class and changes to travel route, must be financed by the participant or his/her institution. Funded participants are required to be present during the entire Conference. If that is not the possible, the organizers have the right to withdraw their financial support to the participant.

Funding priority will be given to one government and one civil society from SADC countries (as mentioned above). Other participants may find funding through other entities.

Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided to all participants. All additional expenditures, including telephone calls, bar, video, and other room expenses, will be paid by each participant individually, irrespective of funding status.

For funded participants, reservation will be made at the Kopanong Hotel. If a participant opts for another hotel, please inform us as soon as possible. However, in this case, the organizers will be not responsible for these costs.

VII. Visas

It is the responsibility of the participants to obtain necessary visas to participate at the regional conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. This includes a visa to enter South Africa, as well as other transit visas and documents that may be necessary.

VIII. Travel insurance

It is the responsibility of participants to have their own travel insurance. The organizers will not cover expenses related to illness or accidents of participants while attending the conference.

IX. Registration

The application form to participate in the conference must be completed and sent to the SANTAC Secretariat no later than 16 March 2007, as there is a big demand. Moreover, participants must lodge their registration in person on Monday, 26 March or until Tuesday, 27 March, between 09h00 and 09h45. At this time, participants will receive an identification card.

X. Transport

Kopanong Hotel provides a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel and vice versa.

XI. Weather

At the end of March, it is the beginning of spring in Johannesburg and expected temperatures are between 20 and 28º C.

XII. Contact Information

For more information, to hand in your registration and confirmation of attendance please contact:

Ms. Lea Boaventura – Terre des Hommes Germany (Mozambique)
Phone: +258 21 302660 / 312268
Fax: + 258 21 312924
Email: tdh-germany@tvcabo.co.mz

OR/CC

Mrs. Carol Bews – Johannesburg Child Welfare Society (South Africa)
Phone: +27 (11) 298-8573
Mobile: +27 83 303 3248
Email: carol@jhbchildwelfare.org.za