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2015 NEWS ARCHIVE

Students learn about child protection

Feb 26, 2015

‘Child Protection is everybody’s business’ was the main theme discussed at a Child Protection symposium held in Vanuatu which was attended by students in the Certificate IV in Community Development and Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care programs at the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).   

The symposium was held on 24-25 February and organised by APTC’s Community Services trainers and tutors in consultation with child protection experts.

The two-day program included speakers like Sheri Buske, an internationally renowned child rights advocate and law lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, Joemela Simeon, Child Protection Officer from UNICEF and Senior Magistrate Moses Peter who presented on the Family Protection Act and legislative responses to child protection issues. 

During the symposium, students looked at what abuse is and its impact, as well as the responsibilities and reporting processes of child protection. They also learnt about the global perspectives on child protection and to be able to relate it to the Pacific context and at the organisational and community levels. 

Annie Dares, APTC’s Trainer in Community Services and Youth Work, said that providing care and protection of children is an essential component of the student’s work in the Community Development and Early Childhood Education qualifications. 

“The community services sector increasingly requires that the students are able to provide evidence of child protection training. This training provides a valuable platform to increase students’ knowledge and skills in the important area of child protection,” she added.

The symposium was attended by around 50 participants.

APTC is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

APTC is implemented by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275)

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