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ecommendations
Recommendations
All examples of useful practice detailed in the
different chapters (especially under the
“Useful approaches” headings) can be viewed
as recommendations for change.
In addition, the following recommendations –
which are clustered under the same headings as
used in the CAN study – are targeted at those
who implement or support programs to
address children at risk. Emphasis is placed on
practical ways to build on initiatives that are
already active in many communities.
Project design supporting families
and building community
• Recognise and support the family as the
principal agent for the protection of
children and the fulfilment of children’s
development and potential.
• Ensure that the concept of “community”
includes vulnerable or hidden members.
• Promote local ownership of child
protection and expectation/commitment for
its implementation through partnerships,
community organising and a broad range of
involvements. Recognise that local concern
about child protection already exists – it
may just need resourcing and mobilising.
• Pursue effective application of common
principles of the CRC, as these can give
hope and value to children. Identify and
engage on areas of priority, as reflected
in the aspirations of children and as noted
by the country mechanisms monitoring
implementation of the CRC.
• Engage families and the community to
broaden their understanding on issues
affecting children by integrating activities
with a clear social justice element. Include
in program design provision and “space” to
understand and influence local attitudes
that restrict child development. 5
To mobilise community members on child
protection, use materials that are effective
and meaningful in the local context, highly
visual and with easy to understand text.
Ensure that the materials are linked to
follow-up.
• Include as activities in program designs,
specific strategies linked to child protection
aims. Child protection responses should
prioritise prevention efforts that reduce
the violence children are subject to,
increase access to and quality of education,
and promote economic activity.
• Reach more children through communitybased
rather than centre-based
prevention and early intervention programs.
• Identify practical child protection measures
that will maximise opportunities to
support, and counter constraints to, the
implementation of local and national policy.
• In settings with highly mobile populations or
problems of human trafficking, set
indicators to monitor mobility as a
push–pull factor that places children at risk.
• In relief efforts, include child protection as
a key area of response alongside sectors
such as health, education and shelter.
• In situations of recent, present or potential
conflict, ensure that community
development supports peace building and
trust. Focus on processes, not only on
outcomes, to ensure that any development
initiative does not become a liability leading
to further tension.
• Make active use of curricular tools that
promote peace building and awareness of
the CRC in schools; education has been
highlighted as a key entry point to a
community where children are marginalised
and at risk.
• Increase livelihood options of families and
children, to reduce the debilitating effects
and risk factors of poverty.
• Link project activities that seek to build
social capital with existing community
organisations and support their
development. Civil society goes beyond
NGOs and includes groups such as
churches, residents’ associations and
5
For example, a common view in Indonesia is “more children, more benefit”, but on the negative side, some parents do not think of the need for
appropriate education and health care. Likewise, the Cambodian saying that “children need to pay back the breast milk” can be used to justify actions that
place children at risk through hazardous labour. The LICADHO approach in Cambodia seeks to help parents to better differentiate between child labour
and hazardous child labour.
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