Over 120 delegates are due to attend AFRUCA's National Conference at the NSPCC Training Centre in Leicester next week to discuss the welfare of African children in the UK.

Organised as a follow up to AFRUCA National conference held in January last year and in the aftermath of the Laming report into the death of Victoria Climbié, this two day conference on 16-17 July will focus on the safeguarding of African children in the country.

Organised with support from the NSPCC, the conference will attract a wide range of child care practitioners including child protection experts, social care workers, academics, medical workers, law enforcement officers and African community leaders.

Key participants at the event include Andrew Cozens, Corporate Director, Leicester City Council Director of Social Care and Health, Dr Nellie Adjei, Medical Adviser to the Victoria Climbie Inquiry, Dapo Oyewole, AFRUCA Trustee and International Co-ordinator, Centre for Democracy and Development and Naana Otoo Oyortey, Chairperson of FORWARD.

The conference will consider a number of issues that are known to significantly affect the lives of African children in the UK. "This is the first time an event of this nature will take place to explore the problems facing African children in such a comprehensive manner", said Bisi Olonisakin, Conference Organiser.

A key element of the conference will be the launch of AFRUCA's report on the trafficking of children to the UK. This is taking place amidst the threat of closure to the only safe house in the country that houses child victims of Trafficking. Interestingly enough, the West Sussex safe house features prominently in the report as an example of good practice to be emulated by other local authorities looking after child asylum seekers.

Other key issues that will feature on the event programme include the plight of refugee and asylum seeking children, the impact of female genital mutilation on victims and the issue of violence against children.

AFRUCA expects the conference to bring up long lasting strategies to help safeguard African children in the country. "At the end of the day, what we would like to see is a clear-cut way towards the safeguarding of our children" said Debbie Ariyo, AFRUCA Director.

 

Notes to Editors

1. AFRUCA - Africans Unite Against Child Abuse is an organisation concerned about cruelty against the African child. Our aim is to promote the welfare of African children in the UK and in Africa.

2. Contact for further details:

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