Acknowledgements

This course has been made possible thanks to the support of all the international agencies that are members of the Geneva based Working Group on Children Without Parental Care. In addition, we want to thank the Oak Foundation for providing significant funding.

The Working Group on Children without Parental Care is comprised of international agencies that work together on initiatives to promote the protection and care of children around the world.

This online course was the initiative of the Working Group developed in conjunction with an international conference based on the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children held in Geneva in September 2016. The conference brought together a worldwide group of committed practitioners, academics, government representatives and young people with experience of alternative care to share experiences of implementing the Guidelines. Further details can be found here.

This conference provided us with the opportunity to film a host of international experts who we will hear from throughout this course.

We would also like to thank the children and young people who have shared with us their thoughts and ideas about alternative care and the international agencies Lumos, Save the Children and SOS Children’s Villages International who supported their participation.

Last, but not least, our very grateful thanks go to Nigel Cantwell, who has played an important role in the writing of this course. Nigel is a renowned international expert who has played a significant role in the development of international conventions and guidance to protect children. This includes his involvement in the development of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the drafting of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.