Apia, Samoa – 27 August 2024 – The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) recently participated in a Study Tour organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hokuriku Centre as part of JICA’s Knowledge Co-creation Program. The tour, which focused on “Protecting Vulnerable Children,” provided a valuable platform for SVSG to share its experiences and learn from international experts dedicated to child protection.
During the tour, SVSG hosted a team that included professors from the University of Fukui in Japan. The team was given an overview of SVSG’s efforts in child protection, particularly the work done at the Campus of Hope shelter. This shelter is a safe haven for children who have faced difficult social situations, offering essential support services to help them recover and reintegrate into society.
The visit to the Campus of Hope allowed the team to see firsthand the challenges faced by vulnerable children in Samoa. The professors from the University of Fukui were actively involved, making the tour an interactive experience that showcased the dedication and hard work of SVSG’s team.
Following the successful tour, SVSG is excited to announce that it has secured a place in JICA’s upcoming training program on “Protecting Vulnerable Children: Focusing on Community-Based Initiatives and Supporting Policies.” This training will take place in Hokuriku, Japan, from September 23 to October 12, 2024. SVSG’s involvement in this program highlights its commitment to improving child protection efforts both in Samoa and internationally.
SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang stated, “As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2025, building our team’s capacity through international collaboration is crucial. This experience enhances our child protection strategies and reinforces our commitment to the welfare of vulnerable children in Samoa.”
Child protection is a complex global issue, involving various ministries and agencies working together to safeguard children’s welfare. In countries like Japan, understanding the diverse challenges faced by children requires thorough fieldwork and engagement with organisations like SVSG. These efforts are essential for gaining accurate insights and driving meaningful changes in child protection policies.
JICA’s approach focuses on collecting data from participants and conducting fieldwork to evaluate the effectiveness of current initiatives. This method promotes continuous learning and improvement, helping to identify challenges and develop collaborative solutions.
The main goal of the Study Tour was to gather information on child welfare, cooperation between relevant agencies, and the conditions affecting vulnerable children. The insights gained will help refine training programs in Japan and strengthen the implementation of action plans aimed at protecting children.
