National Child Protection Summit starts Aug 23

The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines and Child Protection Network Foundation Inc., will hold the National Child Protection Summit 2018 this week as it seeks to strengthen the implementation of the Child Protection policy.

To be held Aug. 23 to 24 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the summit will gather youth representatives, teachers, guidance counselors, school heads, child rights advocates, and other education stakeholders from government and non-government organizations. Anchored on the theme “Strengthening the Implementation of the Child Protection Policy,” the summit aims to give participants an opportunity to identify strategies that will further advance the implementation of DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, or the Child Protection Policy, and thereby promote the best interest of all school children.

The Summit shall serve as a venue for participants to gain knowledge on the issues and challenges encountered by schools in implementing the policy; for experts and child care practitioners to share their insights on the vulnerabilities that children encounter; for partners to share promising practices on child protection; and for all stakeholders to identify areas of priority action and further collaboration to help strengthen the Child Protection Policy of zero tolerance against all acts of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that one of the top priorities of the DepEd is to provide a safe, nurturing and free-from-fear learning environment to students, as well as to teachers and other personnel at the school level, and this gathering of champions in child protection will help the department in ensuring that priority.

“UNICEF congratulates DepEd for taking a leadership role in this gathering, which is a very timely milestone in the landmark initiative that the Philippines has become a model in operationalizing the global INSPIRE strategies. We will continue to support DepEd and the Philippine government in implementing the laws, addressing social norms, creating safe spaces for children, providing parent and caregiver support, strengthening families’ economic situation, providing support and response services, and empowering children and youth with key life-skills,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander said.