AICS International Conference on the “Best Interest of the Child in the Justice System”
The African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) in collaboration with other stakeholders will organize an international conference themed: “Best Interest for Children in the Justice System.” The conference will be held between 17th – 19th August 2016 at Daystar University Valley Road Campus, Nairobi, Kenya.
This conference underscores the fact that children in the justice system include those in conflict with the law as well as those in need of care and protection. Improving access to justice for children therefore extends beyond the court room and includes preventing delinquency and reducing vulnerability of children to crime, abuse and exploitation. This requires multi-stakeholder interventions.
“Best Interest for Children in the Justice System” is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and East Africa Affairs (GoK) through the National Council for Children Services and the Department for Children Services in conjunction with the Judiciary through the National Council for Administration of Juvenile Justice, Children Court in Nairobi and Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome. Other involved lead agencies are Daystar University (Institute of Child Development); Plan International Kenya; Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA); The CRADLE; Child Fund; World Vision Kenya; and Terre des Hommes Netherlands, among others.
The key outcomes expected from the conference are:
1. Challenges to realization of the best interest for children in the justice system identified.
2. Best practices in promoting the best interest for children in the justice system documented and shared.
3. Enhanced networking among practitioners in the justice system and children sectors.
AICS is an NGO with offices in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan. Its mission is to positively transform the lives of children through improved quality of services. The organisation pursues its objectives via a number of programme areas: research and knowledge management, training and organization capacity development, and policy and advocacy.
Further information including conference registration details can be found here.