Celebrating the Courage to Care in a Diverse World

FICE South Africa is pleased to be organizing the 31st FICE International Congress in Cape Town, South Africa from 7 – 9 December 2010. We warmly welcome you to join us in South Africa for the FICE 2010 Congress where 600 adult and youth delegates from across the world will join in seeking innovation in caring for children.

Web address: http://www.fice2010.org.za
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 21 762 6076

Congress Theme

Recognising the richness of international exchange and dialogue, this congress will explore the theme “Celebrating the Courage to Care in a Diverse World”. The unique network that is FICE International is made up of over 30 national chapters, and members from a further ten countries – from all six continents. Members are drawn together in a professional network to engage local knowledge and skill areas in working with children and young people with international practices and expertise. The contexts in which FICE members work with young people vary dramatically. Their interests however are very similar – the continuous engagement with improving services to children in out-of-home and community-based social service programs is the common element.

Hosted for the first time on the continent of Africa, this Congress aims to provide delegates with a once-in-a-lifetime professional development experience, where the warmth, the spirit and the innovation of Africa provides the context for serious reflection on work with children across the globe. Exchanging practice experiences and local programs from all continents, this will be a truly international event where the Congress theme at once acknowledges the diversity of delegates and our shared humanity; the intentionality inherent in professional work with children, and the simplicity of caring.

Sub-themes guiding presentations and discussions include:

• The changing contexts of social care provision
• The realization of a children’s rights approach in complex situations
• Successes in human resourcing programs for children
• Best practice in short-term residential care
• Innovations in community-based care for children and families
• Diversity as a global phenomenon
• The imperative of care in social care provision

Over 60 presentations will be offered by some of the world’ foremost experts in child care.

Youth Congress

A youth congress for 40 young people will take place from 4 – 9 December where children in community-based and residential care settings will meet, make friends with others from across the globe and deliberate on the Congress theme.

Congress Venue

The Conference venue is the prestigious Paul Roos Gymnasium in the leafy town of Stellenbosch. The venue will be the hub of activity for the Conference. Details of the Youth Conference camp will be available early 2009.

The proximity of the venue to guest houses, hotels and many attractions will allow you to combine your Conference attendance with some sightseeing and leisure opportunities.

We warmly invite you to join us in South Africa for the FICE International 2010 Congress where 600 adult and youth delegates from across the world will join in seeking innovation in caring for children.

Accommodation in Stellenbosch

FICE South Africa has arranged the use of several Stellenbosch University Hostels during the Congress. The hostels are a 20 – 30 minute walk from the main venue.

Accommodation in the hostels is affordably priced at R220 – approximately 25€.

There are many guest houses available close to the venue. Contact details of guest houses will be provided on the website. There are many different guest houses ranging from boutique hotels to lower end guest houses. Below are hotels in Stellenbosh. The rates quoted are valid for the current booking period. It must be noted that December is peak season in South Africa therefore these prices are only indications. Pricing can only be provided closer to the time. Attached is a document providing details on guest houses.

Prices currently range from € 17,70 to € 142,50. Costs indicated are based on the current EURO/RAND exchange rate of 11.22.

Keynote Speaker

FICE South Africa is proud to announce that eminent child and youth care worker, Dr Thom Garfat has been selected as the keynote speaker for the first FICE International Congress to be held on the continent of Africa. A regular visitor to South Africa, Dr Garfat will present the address the congress theme “Celebrating the Courage to Care in a Diverse World.”

Thom Garfat, PhD has been involved with troubled children and their families, and the staff who work with them for almost forty years as a practitioner, supervisor, director, teacher, trainer, consultant and writer. Since beginning as a child and youth care worker in an emergency program for adolescents, he has been the Director of a community based family counseling program, taught Child Care and family work at the University of Victoria, was the Director of Treatment for one of Canada’s largest child and youth care agencies.

He has developed residential and non-residential programs; created training programs for professionals working with children and families; helped organizations and governments to conceptualize, develop and implement programs and services; provided training and consultation in direct child care and family work and is the author of over a hundred professional articles and chapters about working with troubled children and their families.

Currently Thom has a private consultation and training practice, Transform Action. He is also the co-editor of Relational Child and Youth Care Practice, and co-founder and editor of CYC-NET a international discussion list and CYC-Online, an electronic journal for Child and Youth Care professionals.

Thom travels nationally and internationally providing consultation and training for agencies and organizations that work with troubled youth and families. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences, and is the ideal candidate to draw together people who work with children from six different continents – on African soil.

FICE International President’s Remarks

Every two years FICE is having an International Congress on Children and Child Care. FICE stands for children without or with inadequate parental care, children with special needs and children at risk. Up to now the conference venues were mostly in Europe, with one in North America. Therefore it is a special pleasure for me to announce a FICE International Conference in Africa, on a continent where there has not been such a conference before. I did not hesitate even for a moment when our colleagues from NACCW, which is a FICE South Africa member, offered me – in Sarajevo, where we had our 29th Congress in 2006 – to host one of our next congresses.

But you can be sure; this does not at all mean that our colleagues in South Africa don’t have enough experience in organising congresses. I know and I witnessed their special conferences, and when I say special I really mean “special”. Our colleagues are used to organise African Congresses for up to 1 000 participants. Once you have been part of such an African Congress you will never forget this special experience of knowledge-sharing and celebrating and dancing! You will never forget these very special people, ready to share everything with you, eager for more knowledge and new experiences.

“Celebrating the courage to care in a diverse world” – a nearly perfect theme to deal with in South Africa, where people managed to overcome Apartheid. Participants and speakers from all over the world are expected to come to Capetown, one of the most beautiful cities of the world. We’d like to count you as one of these participants.

I’m sure, “Celebrating the courage to care in a diverse world” will be a congress you’ll always keep in your mind as one of the most unique experiences in your life!

Monika Niederle
FICE – International
President

 

Tourism & Information

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Tourism Information Bureau will gladly assist you with accommodation arrangements. They offer a service and would be able to pair the delegates with their specific needs and budget requirements.

For all your accommodation, trips and tours, information, golfing, maps, wine estate visits, hiking, biking, adventure or great suggestions on where to eat please visit their website or email them quoting the following reference number:
NACCW/FICE congress Paul Roos Gymnasium.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

www.stellenboschtourism.co.za

Cape Town and the Winelands

Cape Town is situated between beautiful mountains, sloped valleys and crystal clear beaches. Along with this picturesque setting comes a Mediterranean climate that allows for an entertaining vacation during winter and a blissful one during summer. So no matter what time of the year you’re coming to visit, Cape Town is well known to have all four seasons in one day! With the majestic Table Mountain as backdrop, Cape Town is rated one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. From the canyon-like Cederberg Mountains, to the storming Cape Agulhas coast, to the ever expanding Cape Winelands and the extraordinary Garden Route, the Western Cape together with Cape Town is sure to guarantee a memorable stay.


Attractions

Table Mountain

The is only one place that gives you the best view of Cape Town and that is Table Mountain. The Cableway takes has a rotating floor that gives you a 360 degree view of the entire city. The Cableway was established almost 78 years ago and transported visitors for the first time on 4 October 1929. Since then it attracted more that 80 000 visitors annually. Table Mountain has restaurants and shops to accommodate the magnificent views.

For nearly 400 years, Robben Island was known as the place of exile and punishment for political troublemakers in the apartheid era. Only 12 kilometres away from Cape Town, Robben Island is now a national treasure and part of South Africa’s victory over Apartheid. The release of Nelson Mandela brought upon the historical significance of this island and it remains a must see for both residents and visitors of Cape Town and South Africa.

The V & A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s biggest and most demanded tourist attraction. Situated between Table Mountain and Robben Island, this waterfront brings together the essence of an ancient harbor coupled by the charm and ambiance of the entertaining city center. Its noble attractions include the Clock Tower, the Waterfront Heritage Route, Breakwater Prison, South African Merritime Museum, Two Oceans Aquarium and much more. The information office will provide maps and event for the day to keep even the little ones occupied.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world renowned for its beauty and diversity of Cape flora. It only grows indigenous South African plants whilst on 528 hectares of land. It is famous for its setting against the slopes of Table Mountain and displays of the Capes marvels. The Kirstenbosch Visitors’ Centre has an information desk and various retail outlets and a coffee shop. The Home Gardening center is an outlet for plant purchases and supporting services for home gardening. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens hosts musical sunset concerts on its great lawn on Sundays during summer from December until March.

Boulders Beach

Nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent, wind sheltered beaches. Where it is: From Muizenberg continue along Main Road, following signs to Simon’s Town, drive through Simon’s Town and about 1km after you’ll see the signs pointing to Boulders Beach.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak drive connects Hout Bay harbour with Noordhoek by its steadily climbing scenic drive. It is known as one of the world’s most dramatic coastal drives past the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of steep, almost thrilling rocky inclines, shimmering blue waters and expansive skies simply take the breath away and to compensate for this, there are a number of rest areas en route where one can simply stop and drink in the views or picnic.

Previously named the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town, District Six was originally established as a mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers and immigrants. This area was in close proximity of the Cape Town city and port. The first to be ‘resettled’ after the forced removals were black South Africans in 1901. As the more prosperous moved away to the suburbs, the area became the neglected ward of Cape Town. The District Six Museum, established in December 1994, works with the memories of these fragile experiences and with the history of forced removals more generally.

Owned and operated by Sun International, Grand West is the gambling and entertainment utopia of Cape Town. It brings together the historic Cape Town with its diversity in culture and style in its decor, fine dining and luxurious accommodation. Grand West has mirror-like floors, superb architecture and Cape Town flair everything a grand casino should have. You are treated like royalty and offered satisfactory service and a memorable stay.

The Winelands

South Africa produces 3.1% of the worlds wine and ranks as the world’s ninth largest producer. It’s a wine lovers’ paradise with over 200 wine farms to choose from, you are sure to enjoy not only sampling the wide variety of wines, but also the restaurants, wildlife and fun activities offered by some of the farms.

The Cape Wine Route is divided to represent the different areas and topographic variations found, namely the Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Helderberg and the Eco wine route.