2nd National Conference on Orphans and Other ... - FHI 360

OFFICIAL OPENING SESSION
Session chairperson:
Ms Ulitala Hiveluah
Permanent Secretary, MWACW
Ms Hiveluah opened the session with a brief address (see below), whereafter the Jan Möhr Secondary
School choir performed and Dr James Tjibeba of ELCRN led the devotion on behalf of Bishop Zephania
Kameeta, who was unable to attend the session and conveyed his apologies.
Ms Ulitala Hiveluah
Honourable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Honourable Governors, Fellow Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen –
We are here again to look at the plight of OVC. These three days are
very critical in that history will judge us if we do not do justice. The
situation is more critical than it was in May 2001 when we first gathered
for the same purpose, so we have to seriously re-dedicate ourselves. When
we leave this conference centre we will know what to do at the national,
regional, local and villages levels. Having paticipated in this morning’s
deliberations, I know that we have a capable team; one that is well able
to tackle the issues. The children are waiting for services to be delivered,
and we are the only ones who are going to do that. Let us remain focused
and do what is expected of us. Thank you.
The key speakers (from right): Hon. Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare;
Hon. Dr Libertina Amathila, Minister of Health and Social Services (representing First Lady Kovambo Nujoma);
Ms Khin Sandi-Lwin, UNICEF Representative in Namibia; and Ms Rose De Buysscher, FHI Country Director.
<strong>2nd</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children – Windhoek, Namibia, 25-27 June 2002: Full Report
31