Jordan Times
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
National Plan of Action
for Children adopted
AMMAN (JT) — The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) on Tuesday adopted
the National Plan of Action for Children (NPA) which the council has been
working on in coordination with the ministries of planning and social
development, and UNICEF.
The plan, which has six main components, covers a period of 10 years (2004-2014)
and is based on the UN's “World Fit for Children” document and the Arab Plan of
Action for Children.
As president of the NCFA, Her Majesty Queen Rania underlined the need to focus
on raising awareness on the issue in order to meet the goals of the NPA, at
yesterday's board meeting. She added that the different components of the plan
need to be highlighted through discussions, seminars and lectures in order to
reach all sectors of society and relevant parties concerned with its
implementation.
NCFA Secretary General Ruweida Maayta presented an overview of the council's
strategy — mainly research management and data resources, policy making and
development, coordination and follow-up and assessment as well as support and
advocacy.
She outlined efforts in preparing the NPA, which will be launched next month,
explaining that a steering committee and technical working groups — represented
by governmental and nongovernmental institutions, private sector, academics as
well as specialists in the relevant areas — were formulated to develop draft
sectoral plans to oversee the development of the plan.
Discussion also focused on educational issues especially training of teachers
and the role of universities in equipping the workforce with graduates who have
the necessary skills, especially in sectors dealing with education, children and
social work.
In order to achieve that, Queen Rania noted university curricula should be able
to meet the required specialisations.
During the meeting of the board of trustees, the Queen was briefed on the
progress of work on various NCFA programmes, policies and strategies tackling
issues and concerns to families.
Maayta pointed out to efforts under way to accomplish a national family strategy
based on a national vision with the proper legislative framework to ensure
family empowerment.
She also updated Queen Rania on efforts in developing family counselling
services and the NCFA's role in increasing awareness on family protection,
revising laws pertinent to improving the status of families and children and
embracing international codes on child rights.
She said work was in progress on completing the NCFA website and having a
resource centre that seeks to provide development organisations and policy
makers with research and information on family issues.
The NCFA, in collaboration with the Arab League, the Arab Family Organisation (AFO)
and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA),
is organising an Arab regional meeting held under the patronage of Queen Rania
next month.
The meeting, which coincides with the International Year of the Family, will
bring together Arab councils and entities concerned with family affairs.
The NCFA was established in September 2001 to contribute to improving the
quality of life of all families in the Kingdom. The council seeks to ensure the
right policy environment to support the development of family protection and
unity, and to identify and implement mechanisms for increased coordination
between public institutions and civil society organisations working in the field
of family affairs. It also collects data and information, monitors and shares
information on the well-being of children and families, and contributes to
policy developments.
Queen Rania had previously called for increased coordination and cooperation as
well as prioritising issues when drawing up strategies among governmental and
nongovernmental organisations working with the NCFA, underlining the media's
role in promoting these causes to foster discussion and better understanding of
the issues.