Categories

Tags

Archive

October 15, 2014 at 3:27 PM

**MESSAGE FROM PAUL NIXON, CHIEF SOCIAL WORKER, CYF**

Kia ora koutou,

I am excited to let you know that in 2015 Aotearoa will be hosting the 14^th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (ACCAN).

This is a three day international multi-agency event, and will be held in Auckland from 29 March – 1 April 2015. The conference will include keynote speakers from both New Zealand and overseas.

New Zealand last hosted ACCAN in Wellington in 2006, and it was a resounding success with over 800 delegates attending from Aotearoa and overseas.

The theme of next year’s ACCAN is Cultural Responsiveness in a Multi-Agency World, which emphasises the need to respond cross-sectorally, collaboratively and culturally to best prevent and address child maltreatment.

In light of significant changes within New Zealand child protection including the new Vulnerable Children Act, the theme of the 2015 ACCAN reflects the way we are moving forward.  I believe we have a significant amount to contribute to this conference.  It also presents a great opportunity to learn from others and share ideas around how we respond to child abuse and neglect and work to bring about positive outcomes for vulnerable children. 

We have a team from MSD actively working with our Australian colleagues to coordinate and promote the conference.  Registrations and the Call For Abstracts webpage are now open, talk with your manager if you are interested in attending or in submitting an abstract. You will hear more in the coming months as the programme comes together. I also encourage you to promote this conference amongst your networks and support others, especially those from outside government agencies to participate. 

Paul Nixon

Chief Social Worker