The Conference will be presented in plenary, with individual presentations as well as panel discussions. Presenters at the conference will be drawn from renowned experts on child rights, researchers, policy makers, and child rights practitioners, mainly from the African continent. The Conference will also dedicate a day to a structured consultation to inform the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, in collaboration with the Independent Expert (Professor Nowak) and other key stakeholders.

The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) is an independent, not-for-profit Pan-African centre of policy research and advocacy on the African child. It was established in 2003 out of concern about the situation of the African child and the need for Africans to recognise their responsibility to collectively ensure the realisation of all rights to all children.  The major focus of ACPF’s work is to promote State Accountability. Sustained change can come about only through vigorous state action. And this requires a multi-pronged approach, especially vigorous advocacy by Africans and African civil society. The major pillars of its work, therefore, are: knowledge-building; Policy Advocacy’ Policy Dialogue; and the creation of a stronger collective voice for children in Africa. Only by doing so can we hold governments accountable and help establish an Africa where our children will have roots to stand and wings to fly.

Defence for Children International

DCI is an independent non-governmental organisation that has been promoting and protecting children’s rights on a global, regional, national and local level for almost 40 years. When the movement was founded in 1979, few international structures were dedicated to using a human rights-based / child-centred approach in addressing the many problems faced by the world's children. DCI was established in direct response to this void. DCI has more than 35 National Sections and associated members (in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Pacific, Latin America and Europe) who carry out concrete programmes to promote and protect the rights of children. DCI has a commitment to maintain justice for children as one of its priority concerns, as well as commitment to the guiding principles of the UNCRC General Comment No. 10 on Children’s Rights in Juvenile Justice.

Confirmation Letter

A confirmation letter will be sent to participants who registered online that will also serve as an official invitation letter for participant’s visa application purpose. However, participants are expected to send their valid passport copy with their flight itinerary to beyene@africanchildforum.org  to process their visa permit from this end in Addis Ababa prior to their visa application at the Ethiopian Embassy in their country.

Immigration Requirements

Visas are required for all participants traveling to Ethiopia, except for nationals of Djibouti and Kenya.  Participants from countries that have Ethiopian Diplomatic Missions are required by the Ethiopian immigration authorities to secure their visas from those missions before departure.  However, participants are expected to send their valid passport copy with their flight itinerary to Ms Eskedar Beyene at beyene@africanchildforum.org  to process their visa permit from this end in Addis Ababa prior to their visa application at the Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission in their country.

If your country does not have an Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission, ACPF will assist you in obtaining a visa upon arrival. Please send your complete passport details and flight information to Ms. Eskedar Beyene at beyene@africanchildforum.org

You should request visa assistance from ACPF well in advance (deadline April 13, 2018); as it will take at least two weeks to process visa applications and obtain approval from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Authorities.

These hotels are are recommended by ACPF.

Note: Participants are expected to arrange and cover all costs related to their travel to Ethiopia such as ticket, accommodation and in town travel.

Visitors to Ethiopia should be in possession of a valid inoculation certificate for yellow fever.  Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited through a cholera-infected country within six days of arriving in the country.

The United Nations Health Care Center (UNHCC), situated on the ground floor of the UN Conference Center provides 24 hours medical services.  Payment to medical services must be made in cash at the visitor’s cost.  In case of medical or dental emergency, please call the reception desk at telephone numbers 0115-445502, 0115-443548, 0115-443135.

What is Addis Ababa like?

Addis Ababa has an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, but English is widely understood as well.  November in Ethiopia is sunny and cool. The electrical supply in Ethiopia is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles AC accessible via 13-amp, two pin socket.
 

What is the weather like in Addis Ababa?

May in Ethiopia is a dry and sunny season in Ethiopia, but it can get cooler in the evening.

What is the exchange rate to the local currency?

The local currency is “Birr.” Average exchange rates are:

1 US Dollar - Birr 27.77
1 € - Birr 34.09
1 £ - Birr 38.57

For more information, please visit http://www.combanketh.et

What are the official working hours?

Most business office hours are:
8:30AM – 12:30PM and 1:30PM – 5:30PM
Shops are usually open from
9:00AM – 12:30PM and 3:30PM – 7:30 PM – Monday to Saturday