SOS Children’s Villages Philippines Best Practices in Child Welfare Communication and Advocacy

Abstract

Since 1967, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines has been helping many children in need by providing long-term residential care and education. Sustaining the cause for the past 37 years is in itself an achievement. Yet, no existing studies have been done to bring together such practices within the Philippines particularly in the area of child welfare communication and advocacy. Thus, a study was conducted to determine the various communication and advocacy strategies of SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, which represent best practice in relation to children’s welfare and development.

The study was qualitative in nature and designed within the framework of a case analysis. Communication and advocacy strategies were initially drawn from observations and documentation of the 19th Senior Co-workers Meeting, an annual gathering of co-workers, directors and mothers of SOS Children’s Villages Philippines.

Key informant interview was conducted among Project and Village Directors to cover existing communication and advocacy strategies within the seven SOS Children’s Villages located in Alabang (Manila), Calbayog, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Lipa and Tacloban in which six out of seven directors participated in the study. Secondary sources such as publications, video and photo documentation were analyzed to support observed data. Existing practices identified were summarizing as 10-point communication and advocacy strategies particularly strong commitment to the SOS vision; safeguarding children’s rights; family-bases approach; children as communicators; holistic development of the children; use of both interpersonal and mass communication channels; networking and linkages with other organizations; strengthening community ties; contentious assessment on the quality of service; and dedicated staff and partners in child care.

Identified practices were then compared and validated in terms of consistency with the provisions of the Conventions on the Rights of a Child. Results revealed consistency with the articles of the provisions particularly on respecting the rights of the children, highlighting the importance of family, promoting holistic development and taking action for children. In relation to the identified 10-point strategy, children and young people as the primary focus was considered the main feature of existing best practices. Findings of the study also revealed other features such as participatory, people-centered approach, building and sustaining relationships through linkages, use of interpersonal and mass channels and the clearly defined vision of the organization.