As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with such severity across Asia, the impact on children is particularly acute. The attention of practitioners and policy-makers is rightly on responding to the emergency at hand. Due to these circumstances, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the fourth BICON on Alternative Care for Children in Asia which had been scheduled to take place online on 26 and 27 May 2021.
BICON is rescheduled for 8 and 9 December 2021 when practitioners, policy-makers, academics and young people with lived experience of care will come together to discuss systemic care reform in Asia. We stand in solidarity with all those professionals and families in Asia and across the world who are working to protect children at this challenging time.
Globally COVID-19 continues to have an impact on families, communities and children - disrupting support networks, destroying livelihoods, and placing a large burden on health and public health efforts to contain the virus. COVID-19 continues to pose specific risks and challenges for children related to appropriate care including: the need for alternative care when caregivers become ill or die, the availability of placements including at borders when children are in transit, the increased risks in residential care settings and the strain on existing child protection and welfare services.
During this crisis it is vital that child protection services continue to be prioritized and that social workers are given the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to continue to visit the most vulnerable. Efforts to strengthen the capacity of family based care and social protection systems are critical to support families during such a difficult time.
Due to reports of a growing number of children who have lost parents to COVID-19 in Asia, desperate pleas to adopt orphaned children have circulated on social media, leaving them vulnerable to illegal adoption outside the scope of the scope of the child protection system. In this moment of crisis, children are vulnerable to trafficking, abuse and exploitation and must be protected.
About BICON
Since 2014, the Biennial Conference on Alternative Care for Children in Asia (BICON) has been a major conference focussed on the rights of children and young people without parental care (CWPC). Previously hosted by Udayan Care, BICONs are conceived as a regional advocacy platform to bring stakeholders working on child and youth care together for sharing, learning and connecting. The BICON 2021 will be an important event for stakeholders to work together to drive care reform in the region and to contribute to global conversations on this important topic.
For further information about alternative care and covid-19, access the following resource: 'Guidance for Alternative Care Provision during COVID-19'
About Changemakers for Children
Changemakers for Children is a global community of local changemakers working with vulnerable children and families. Join this social network platform to access several different communities of practice, including Care During COVID-19.
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