weltwärts
informs
weltwärts
informs
Partner conference in Argentina: dialogue on child welfare and mental health
The partner conference for southern South America took place in Santiago del Estero (Argentina) in early May. The main areas of focus were the safeguarding of child welfare in organisations that work with children and young people, as well as the mental health of volunteers.
Partner organisations from Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, as well as representatives from sending organisations, the Programme Steering Committee and Engagement Global were in attendance. Benedikt Pees from the Programme Steering Committee shed light on the challenge of keeping volunteer numbers stable in the face of strapped household budgets and declining interest among young people in long-term service in the Global South.
All in all, representatives from partner organisations spoke very highly of their experiences with the volunteers. They voiced their objection to reducing the length of service and argued in favour of a service length of one year. For organisations that send volunteers to Germany as part of the South-North component, returnee engagement was a pressing topic that they would like to speak and learn more about.
The majority of partner organisations in attendance were actively involved in working with children and young people. They discussed their child protection plans and how they deal with incidents of abuse. Organisational culture, including values and norms, played a key role here. Some of the organisations described their efforts to create a safe space for target groups and employees alike.
Impressions of the partner conference in Argentina
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Part of the conference is the Market of Opportunities where representatives present their organisations. -
The participants discuss specific topics of the weltwärts programme in small groups. At this conference, the topics of child welfare and mental health were on the agenda. -
The conferences offer plenty of space to exchange ideas and develop the programme together. -
The Engagement Global representatives visited various places of assignment. -
The representative of the German Embassy, Mr Raimundo Ruiz von Dessauer, also took part in the weltwärts conference.
-
Part of the conference is the Market of Opportunities where representatives present their organisations. -
The participants discuss specific topics of the weltwärts programme in small groups. At this conference, the topics of child welfare and mental health were on the agenda. -
The conferences offer plenty of space to exchange ideas and develop the programme together. -
The Engagement Global representatives visited various places of assignment. -
The representative of the German Embassy, Mr Raimundo Ruiz von Dessauer, also took part in the weltwärts conference.
Supporting volunteers with psychological difficulties was also discussed. The partner organisations have observed an increased incidence of psychological difficulties among young people following the coronavirus pandemic. They also report that the volunteers are less independent overall. One speaker described how to recognise mental health disorders and which factors impact mental health. In addition, she shared tips on how places of assignment and volunteers can minimise the risks.
The conference was organised by the Rottenburg-Stuttgart Association of German Catholic Youth and Sede Administrativa de las Escuelas (SAED).