ISS Projects
Since 1924, ISS has acquired a solid experience and gathered valuable resources relevant to the protection of international migrants and children deprived of their family. ISS provides its beneficiaries with accurate information, know-how and empathetic listening on a daily basis. ISS is convinced that more needs to be done to prevent the risks linked to international migration and to better protect the rights of concerned children and families.
With this perspective ISS has launched, contributed and led several projects focusing on the development, capacity building and technical support for migrants and children without parental care. These projects aim to provide better living conditions, adequate legal frameworks, care solutions and future opportunities for these groups. Furthermore, ISS actively lobbies for the interests and rights of children and families at an international, regional and national level. It also makes special efforts to analyse and synthesis resources by undertaking in-depth research.
Development projects
ISS has initiated projects aimed at raising awareness among immigration candidates on the difficult realities of the “journey”, helping them to think about the option of staying in their country of origin or, once they have arrived in the country of destination, providing them with adequate assistance.
Examples
ISS Swiss Branch developed a program in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo) to support the social and professional reintegration of children and youth who were victims of trafficking or other exploitation. Its goal is to implement measures to prevent and reduce migration of minors at risk and to identify them in order to reintegrate them in their country to ensure better prospects for their future. The project is based on the creation of lasting transnational support among West African countries and strongly involves local players. Since being launched in 2005, the program has already helped 1000 isolated youth. It is planned that the program will be operating on completely local basis from 2009. For more information: www.ssiss.ch.
ISS Hong Kong Branch launched a program to assist ethnic minorities of non-Chinese origin who were new arrivals (mainly Filipinos, Indonesian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Indian, Thai, Sri Lankan) to integrate in Hong Kong. It provides them with psychosocial support, information sharing, temporary shelter and language courses. Its Mobile Information Service at the Hong Kong International Airport allows its staff to provide them with quick and efficient assistance.
Capacity building projects
ISS has a long tradition and expertise in training staff of public institutions and non-governmental organisations on specific subjects relating to child protection. The provision of this training helps raise awareness amongst stakeholders and field workers in the area of child and family protection.
Examples:
ISS General Secretariat provided a four day training session on children rights in adoption for governmental adoption services staff (mainly social workers and psychologists) in Romania, in collaboration with the Swiss NGO Children Action in 2007.
ISS-USA launched the Arthur C. Helton Institute for the Study of International Social Service, which provides education, technical assistance and training on issues that affect vulnerable children separated from the care of their families across international borders. Since its creation in October 2007, the Institute has organised and participated in several major conferences and training sessions as well as publishing several articles on international social issues. For more information, please visit www.iss-usa.org.
Lobbying
The data gathered during its handling of cases allows ISS to actively lobby for the interest and rights of children and families at international, regional and national levels. ISS alerts the appropriate authorities when changes seem necessary in laws or conventions. It also helps intergovernmental organisations develop international conventions and provides accurate resources and information to stakeholders, field workers, media, etc.
Examples
ISS General Secretariat drafted in collaboration with UNICEF the Draft United Nations Guidelines for the protection and alternative care of children without parental care, which are aimed to be adopted by the United Nation General Assembly by the end of 2009. Click here for further information.
ISS works actively with the stakeholders and professionals of different countries to help them ratify and implement the relevant international or regional conventions relating to children and family protection and if necessary assists them in reforming their child protection legislation.
Technical Support
ISS provides technical advice on international and domestic legislation relating to children deprived of their family and adoption for governmental bodies, NGOs, and other child protection stakeholders. This includes the interpretation and implementation of the national and international legal instruments; dissemination of good practices and information and support with the implementation of procedural issues.
Example
ISS General Secretariat, in collaboration with UNICEF and the European Union, supported and assisted Moldova in its legislatives reforms relating to its residential care system. The project aimed at supporting the government in adapting its legal and regulatory framework in a sustainable manner and the development of community-based social care services.
Research
ISS is a research hub of policies, regulations and good practices relating to child and family protection. To capitalise on the benefits from these valuable resources for its network and beyond, it undertakes research projects on specific issues relating to child and family protection. The topics are chosen as functions of the demand and/or the needs identified throughout the network.
Example
ISS General Secretariat, in collaboration with the network, published a study on adoption of older children. The document presents the current situation and needs of about 15 countries, describes the specificities, precautions and measures for each stage of the adoption process of older children, and underlines the principles, which should be respected. The final part proposes a brief assessment of the results for the adoption of these children. For more information, please visit our publications page.