CHILDWATCH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK
Advisory Board meeting
Budapest, Hungary 17-18 October 2003
Draft MINUTES
1. Welcome and introduction
The members of the board were welcomed and given practical information for the two days of meeting.
2. Adoption of the agenda
The board noted that there was some stress on time to get through all the issues, and suggested a change in the agenda to make sure that there was time to discuss the major issues and issues of some urgency, being:
- The Oslo 2005 initiative and the CWI study-groups in this regard. Including reports from the study-groups that have already started or are in formation
- Point 8. Program development, development of a strategic plan and revision of the terms of reference
- The new proposal from Irene Rizzini, Natalie Hevener Kaufman (and Anne Smith) on International Collaboration and the Future of Children; How to Promote Effective International Research and Policy Collaboration Between CWI and International Organizations in an Era of Globalization
(NB: The minutes are written in the order in which the items appear on the agenda, even if the order was shifted in the meeting.)
Background papers were added on this project (7.2.1.) and on reports from study group initiatives Religion and Spirituality (7.1.2.) and Socio-cultural Context of Child Participation in the Asia Pacific Region (7.1.4). A report from the first meeting of Children’s Perspectives on Citizenship and Nation-Building was added (7.1.5.b). Information about a doctoral program in International Family and Community Studies at Clemson University was added as an extension to the Czech-US partnership update (7.3.1).
3. Adoption of the report from AB 2002
The report from AB 2003 in Bangkok was adopted with one amendment of wording. Point 3, second paragraph, sentence 2: “The lack of formal procedures etc.” should be stricken, because it is not true. Decisions on formal procedures are written up in the reports from the Advisory Boards where they have been decided upon. These procedures should be added to the Terms of Reference.
4. Matters for orientation
4.1. A formal update from the secretariat was given (attached).
Comments about the uncertain situation for the staff were added.
4.2 A short orientation about budget of 2003 and accounts for 2002 was given.
- The Advisory Board noted that the accounts were hard to read. It was suggested that to make the accounts, presently written up in Norwegian Kroner, more understandable for others, it would be a good idea to make a column of percentages (%) of total funds. Last years accounts and budget should also be added in separate columns to ease comparability, even if every 3rd. year is not comparable.
- A lot of recourses are put into the projects that are not visible in the accounts. It would be important for the funding partners (Norwegian government) to see that the money they are putting in leverage other money and resources. There is a problem of getting this accurate, or to make a full account, as there are a lot of human resources etc. that can not be accounted for. AB decided to attempt a less formal account, and agreed to submit “stories” of how Childwatch activities have leveraged resources in different projects and activities. These stories could also include other activities that CWI activities have spurred. The secretariat will send out a request for such stories to anyone involved in CWI projects and activities.
- It was also commented that CWI really needs to get into grant development, especially in the light of future staffing.
- The Advisory Board encouraged the Secretariat to make sure that there is enough money for dissemination, either through a newsletter or as electronic news (e.g. a PDF-file).
4.3 Annual report 2001-2002
It was noted that the report was presented in Bangkok, and is also available on web:
http://www.childwatch.uio.no/what_is_cwi/annual_report/index.html
4.4 Orientation on financial status of CWI
- The Board was oriented about the latest news about funding form the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The funding application submitted in spring 2003 aimed to increase funds in relation to the Oslo 2005 initiative. Unfortunately, the funding will not increase more than the equivalent of the prize index increase for the coming period. A new contract will not be in place before March (first quarter) of 2004, but CWI work will be continuous. The University of Oslo will cover CWI expenses in the meantime, according to budget.
5. New Key Institutions
The following New Key Institutions were presented, discussed and accepted as Key Institution of CWI:
5.1 NOVA, Norwegian Social Research, Norway
5.4 Programa Infacia of Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico
5.5 CEANIM- Chile
5.6 Center for applied child research, Al Quds University, Palestine
5.7 Bratislava International Centre for Work and Family Studies, Slovakia
The Advisory Board wants to see a more child oriented description of the institution before it is presented on the CWI web.
5.8 Chapin Hall, Chicago, Illinois,USA
Of the other proposed institutions the following was decided:
5.2 Amsterdam Center for Child Studies,The Netherlands
The center is interested in joining CWI, but their acceptance is postponed due to lack of information and an application before the meeting. The Advisory Board also encouraged a search for other potential partners in The Netherlands, as there are several child focused research centres in the country, and this one might not be the one which is best situated or fit Childwatch’s intentions and goals.
5.3 Deutshe Jugend Institute, Germany
The centre needs to be approached again. Even if they have shown interest in membership earlier, they have not followed up their interest. Usha Nayar will visit the centre while in Munich on other business in January 2004.
The following list of countries with prospective KI’s (and other linkages) was discussed:
AFRICA:
Kenya: Assess the possibility of making Kenyatta to a virtual center of many. Irene Rizzini and Per Egil Mjaavatn will explore in their visit in November 2003.
South Africa: University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape (Consortium), University of the Free State (a child focused group form several units). Alternatively the Human Science Research Council. The situation does not seem to be sorted out yet, so Gary will explore further which institution (-s) we will connect to.
Sudan: Mohammad Shaheen will explore the possibilities here. There might also be other potential partners in the Arab Network.
AMERICA:
USA: expansion of centres: North East: Pittsburg Center of …( is it The Life Span Institute at the Univ. of Kansas? ).West: Child Health Program at UCLA, or Kempe in Denver. The latter two are mainly training programs. Gary Melton will follow up.
Dominican Republic: Was mentioned (Ref. did not catch the name of institution or who was to follow up)
ASIA and PACIFIC:
Australia: University of Southern Cross
India: Expansion to a Delhi and Calcutta group. Usha Nayar will follow up.
Malaysia: Follow up with Dr. Chiam from the Bangkok meeting. Nittaya Kotchabhakdi will follow up
Nepal: NGO- “I-watch”, University of Katmandu: Usha Nayar, as above.
Philippines: University of Philliphines, a group working on child protection. Nittaya Kotchabhakdi will explore their potential.
Sri Lanka: University of Colombo. Usha Nayar will explore more before a possible visit or invitation.
New developments in Central Asia are put on hold for now.
EUROPE:
Estonia: Centre for Democracy Studies, University of Tallinn.
Germany: We will follow up with Deutche Jugend Institute. Usha Nayars visit to DJI is first step. In addition we will explore funding possibilities with Robert Bosh Foundation (fund for Children and Youth) and with Max Planck Society.
Great Britain: University of East Anglia, UK. Robbie Gilligan will explore possibilities for cooperation. Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh were mentioned as sites to follow up on possible resources and people.
Portugal: N.N. Centre in Lisbon. Irene will follow up with colleagues.
MIDDLE EAST:
Jordan: King Hussain Foundation. Mohammad Shaheen will follow up.
6. Childhoods 2005 Oslo: Children and Youth in Emerging and Transforming societies
6.1 Information from the organizational committee in Oslo
- The organization committee for the conference in 2005 has now hired Kristin Vasbø as a full time secretary to coordinate the work of the committee and all contacts, information, funding applications etc. that goes in and out at this point. She is also developing the web-page, and coordinating the calls for papers and participation between the committee, groups and individuals. Her salary is graciously paid by the Faculty of Education, University of Oslo, and the offices are placed in their administration.
- The University of Oslo (with the support of most of its faculties/ schools) has now adopted the conference as their contribution to the Norwegian centennial celebrations. This means a lot for the progress, e.g. that UiO pay for the secretary and that the secretary and committee can use University Services for free (like for web-design, server space, print, archive services, phone, mail-services etc.). Having the University of Oslo as funding applicant also means a lot for the prospects of getting money.
- Some funding applications are already sent while others are in progress. The first few funds are in, enough to cover some of the initial work. But the committee is working steadily on funding and organization and is expecting things to fall into place, piece by piece.
- The thematic study-groups with UiO leadership that will form vertical timelines through the conference (before and after) are in formation. The different groups are relatively autonomous and have thus developed in different ways, sizes and in methods of work and progress. It is however important to note that the list of topics that has emerged from the involvement of UiO faculty is not exhaustive of topics to be discussed in the conference. We are still expecting topics to evolve as core topics, others to diminish in size and importance as work develops and people flow in and out of initiatives. Also, external calls for participation will not be limited to the thematic groups that are formed from the University within.
6.2 CWI role in the study groups and the organization of study groups
The initiatives that have been taken by CWI members so far differ in scope, size, organization and relation to the UiO coordinators. See attached document “Update on CWI study group initiatives and study group involvement” for more details on progress in the different initiatives.
7. Updates from 2003 and planning for 2004-2006: Proposals, commitments, future plans and priorities.
7.1 Study group initiatives within CWI;
The different initiatives and plans where given a short presentation in the meeting, and the Advisory Board gave general support to the continuation of the initiatives as specified below. The board decided that a more coherent plan for the CWI involvement needs to be worked out and circulated for comments. There must also be room for plans that are not yet fully developed within this framework. Gary Melton and Robin Kimbrough Melton (present in meeting during Oslo 2005 discussions) volunteered to write up the first draft to such a plan.
7.1.2. Religion and spirituality among children in emerging and transforming societies
This study group has submitted a concept paper which outlines the process for implementing a study group process on the religion and spirituality of children. The process will be co-chaired by Usha Nayar and Robin Kimbrough-Melton. Initial discussions started in Bangkok, 2002, and the group has since had a one day meeting to develop the format and content of the initiative. The group is also in dialogue with Trygve Wyller, the Norwegian (UiO) coordinator on the theme for the 2005 conference, and plan to work closely with him. The CWI group is split in three topics, and they each plan a meeting in 2004 for up to 3 days.
7.1.3. Out of home placement, now: Caring for separated children (Update in meeting)
An oral report form this initiative was given in the meeting. This is not a “pure” CWI group, even if (at least) two KIs are involved. They have asked CWI for some support for their next meeting in the beginning of 2004. This group already has a lot of interesting partners and they are expanding internationally.
The group has changed its name to Caring for separated children, which also reflects the overarching concern of their work. The title corresponds to global challenges of care for separated children either as a result of public intervention, war, natural catastrophes or migration. An important objective for the work is to develop guidelines for best practices for different aspects of this work
7.1.4. Socio-Cultural Contexts of Child Participation Project in Asia Pacific Region
This group was initiated at the KI meeting in Bangkok in 2002. The study group had their first working meeting just prior to the AB meeting. The drafted and commented concept paper in the background papers, were replaced with an extended concept paper and report from this first meeting. The group plans comparative research, and each of the partners is following up on the research work locally. Their plans are to have 3 more coordinating meetings before the conference in 2005. They are also planning to expand on the number of members from countries in the region. The group may also merge with other groups before the conference and contribute with an Asian-Pacific perspective on participation.
The objective of this regional group is to develop an understanding of child participation based on a comparative Asian and Pacific reality.
7.1.5 Children’s Perspectives on Citizenship and Nation-Building
This study group was initiated at the KI meeting in Bangkok 2002, and had their first meeting in London directly prior to the AB meeting in Budapest. In this meeting the participants agreed on a project design and procedures. Two meetings in 2004 is planned to share initial results, coordinate comparison and prepare conclusions. The group plans to take their work beyond Oslo 2005 by way of presentations, publications and follow-up projects.
In addition, this group encourages other study-groups with related topics to include funds in their budget to travel to London in December 2004/January 2005 for a joint meeting to coordinate presentations for the 2005 conference.