In 2015 the National Association of Child Care Workers celebrated its 40th anniversary as the child and youth care association of South
Africa in Cape Town. Over the years individuals and institutions have built bonds of shared knowledge, collaborations, exchange visits and
friendships between Canada and South Africa. The result was significant Canadian participation in this conference at the keynote,
presenter and participant levels. In all, a Canadian delegation of Council members, 17 strong travelled to Cape Town to share in this
'birthday'. This suite of pages reports on the experience with the hope it will foster future international participation through registration in
conferencing by Council members in the world movement for child and youth care networking.
Cape Town began as a settlement in the 16th Century linking it to Quebec City, Montreal, St. John's and the 13 Colonies of the United States
among others as the net of exploration and colonization was spread back in the day. Images of this great city and the area around it are
included. Not lost on the participants was the fact that this was winter in Cape Town, a daily source of wonder at the contrasts and delights
of this incredible city.
Africa in Cape Town. Over the years individuals and institutions have built bonds of shared knowledge, collaborations, exchange visits and
friendships between Canada and South Africa. The result was significant Canadian participation in this conference at the keynote,
presenter and participant levels. In all, a Canadian delegation of Council members, 17 strong travelled to Cape Town to share in this
'birthday'. This suite of pages reports on the experience with the hope it will foster future international participation through registration in
conferencing by Council members in the world movement for child and youth care networking.
Cape Town began as a settlement in the 16th Century linking it to Quebec City, Montreal, St. John's and the 13 Colonies of the United States
among others as the net of exploration and colonization was spread back in the day. Images of this great city and the area around it are
included. Not lost on the participants was the fact that this was winter in Cape Town, a daily source of wonder at the contrasts and delights
of this incredible city.
The sounds of drums could be heard as one approached the Cape Town International Conference Centre. Groups, linked by shared
common fleeces or scarves filed towards the hall singing and chanting. They turned out to be the youth delegates to the conference,
participating in their own concurrent conference and being active contributors to its sessions. Roughly 150 young people were camping,
crafting banners, meeting, dialoguing and resolving alongside their child and youth care professionals. This made an impression on this
writer and will be touched upon throughout. Traditionally, all 20 NACCW conferences have started with light, the symbol of letting it in by the
lighting of candles which burn throughout the conference. With their banners and drum songs they gathered on the upper reaches of the
auditorium announced that something truly significant was about to take place.
common fleeces or scarves filed towards the hall singing and chanting. They turned out to be the youth delegates to the conference,
participating in their own concurrent conference and being active contributors to its sessions. Roughly 150 young people were camping,
crafting banners, meeting, dialoguing and resolving alongside their child and youth care professionals. This made an impression on this
writer and will be touched upon throughout. Traditionally, all 20 NACCW conferences have started with light, the symbol of letting it in by the
lighting of candles which burn throughout the conference. With their banners and drum songs they gathered on the upper reaches of the
auditorium announced that something truly significant was about to take place.
While much of the podium agenda is not
recorded here, it was punctuated by incredible
honour singing. An audience member will begin
a song, singing the opening lines in a clear and
haunting manner. Soon, others pick up on the
tune adding in their voices and then the entire
song grows until several hundred ( there were
roughly 1400 participating in all ), join in until the
hall is alive with song. Honoured guest
speakers, interludes and transitions all call for a
song. There was one in English celebrating
child and youth care which allowed everyone to
participate. Chanting was another feature. A
speaker would salute with a chant, say Viva
whomever, repeated three or more times. A
local explained to this writer that this is how
South Africans express themselves. How they
learn and transmit those many songs was a
wonder. Stunning to experience.
recorded here, it was punctuated by incredible
honour singing. An audience member will begin
a song, singing the opening lines in a clear and
haunting manner. Soon, others pick up on the
tune adding in their voices and then the entire
song grows until several hundred ( there were
roughly 1400 participating in all ), join in until the
hall is alive with song. Honoured guest
speakers, interludes and transitions all call for a
song. There was one in English celebrating
child and youth care which allowed everyone to
participate. Chanting was another feature. A
speaker would salute with a chant, say Viva
whomever, repeated three or more times. A
local explained to this writer that this is how
South Africans express themselves. How they
learn and transmit those many songs was a
wonder. Stunning to experience.
Dr. Jim Anglin, professor in the Child and Youth Care Program of the University of Victoria was the Keynote Speaker for the conference. This
writer worked with Jim on the 2003 international, Promise into Practice and at that conference he was instrumental in securing CEDA
funding to bring from South Africa, U. of Vic. long distance students enrolled in the program. They graced that conference and inspired some
to attend this one. Jim spoke of the impact of child and youth work taking the broad view. While he admitted the profession has ongoing
issues he thought would be resolved by this stage in his career, he noted that its future is wide open. Africa alone is the fastest growing
continent calling out for the cyc approach to social change and the Indian sub-continent and China, with their incredible growth from
traditional societies offer even more potential. His message was up-lifting, optimistic and backed up by the work of the NACCW in
developing the profession in South Africa.
writer worked with Jim on the 2003 international, Promise into Practice and at that conference he was instrumental in securing CEDA
funding to bring from South Africa, U. of Vic. long distance students enrolled in the program. They graced that conference and inspired some
to attend this one. Jim spoke of the impact of child and youth work taking the broad view. While he admitted the profession has ongoing
issues he thought would be resolved by this stage in his career, he noted that its future is wide open. Africa alone is the fastest growing
continent calling out for the cyc approach to social change and the Indian sub-continent and China, with their incredible growth from
traditional societies offer even more potential. His message was up-lifting, optimistic and backed up by the work of the NACCW in
developing the profession in South Africa.
One of the central pleasures of conferencing is meeting old friends and making new ones. Often, there has been collaboration over the
course of the year on work and experiences shared now on social media. Here, current Council President, Kelly Shaw, James Freeman of
the Child and Youth Care Certification Board, Rika Swanzen, Editor, Relational Child and Youth Care Journal, Past Council President,
Heather Modlin and writer, Garth Goodwin catching up over a 'tea' break.
course of the year on work and experiences shared now on social media. Here, current Council President, Kelly Shaw, James Freeman of
the Child and Youth Care Certification Board, Rika Swanzen, Editor, Relational Child and Youth Care Journal, Past Council President,
Heather Modlin and writer, Garth Goodwin catching up over a 'tea' break.
Moderator Zeni Thumbadoo, Kelly Shaw, Wolfgang Vachon, Heather Modlin and James Freeman offered an panel on Child and Youth Care
Professionalization in Canada and the United States.Kelly, Wolfgang and Heather detailed the national, local and provincial perspectives on
practise in Canada.
Professionalization in Canada and the United States.Kelly, Wolfgang and Heather detailed the national, local and provincial perspectives on
practise in Canada.
The conference kicked off the first evening by
issuing all registrants a R100 credit card for the
V&A Waterfront which is Cape Town's dining,
shopping, and entertainment district on a
working wharf complex. Like the Dutch, South
Africans are expanding into the sea, the marine
front being moved in stages over the centuries.
This is where Cape Town stays open after four
pm. Craft artisians of the highest quality,
restaraunts featuring food from around the world,
harbours, condos and the finest luxury brands all
vie for your attention. If you had not been there
prior to this evening, you were probably definitely
going to return, perhaps a few times over the
course of your stay.
issuing all registrants a R100 credit card for the
V&A Waterfront which is Cape Town's dining,
shopping, and entertainment district on a
working wharf complex. Like the Dutch, South
Africans are expanding into the sea, the marine
front being moved in stages over the centuries.
This is where Cape Town stays open after four
pm. Craft artisians of the highest quality,
restaraunts featuring food from around the world,
harbours, condos and the finest luxury brands all
vie for your attention. If you had not been there
prior to this evening, you were probably definitely
going to return, perhaps a few times over the
course of your stay.
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