A national workshop was held in February 2003 with approximately 70 participants who represented key research agencies, national departments and other child-related institutions. The Children’s Institute (UCT), Idasa’s Children’s Budget Unit, the National Department of Social Development and the Child and Youth Research and Training Programme (UWC) organised the consultative workshop in order to examine the existing and required data on the situation of children in South Africa.

Rationale for the workshop
Poverty, unemployment and inequality appear to be increasing in South Africa. At least 45% of the South African population lives in absolute poverty¹, and many households still have unsatisfactory access to clean water, energy, health care and education². The unemployment rates have risen from 33% in 1996 to 37.0% in 2001³. The rising inflation rates have caused escalating food prices, which directly impact on the well-being of the poor.

‘It is estimated that in 2002 about 11 million children under 18 years in South Africa are living on less than R200 per month and hence are desperately in need of income support.’ (Streak 2002⁴).

However, poverty is more than merely income insufficiency. It also includes a lack of opportunities, lack of access to assets and credit, as well as social exclusion. Poverty is complex, multifaceted and fluctuates in depth and duration. Considering children’s living conditions currently in South Africa, it is apparent that indicators of their well-being would be broader than merely income poverty measures.

Within the general socio-economic situation in the country, children are a particularly vulnerable group requiring special protection, according to our Constitution, and they have the right to a minimum standard of living to ensure their survival and development. Interventions have been targeted at the child and family. The impact of these measures is difficult to measure and track, due to the shortage of child well-being and poverty data.

Aim and objectives of the workshop
The workshop aimed at, and succeeded in, bringing together key stakeholders (namely researchers, key agencies and national government departments), to explore the information needs and gaps, and to identify the best possible means to address these, in a comprehensive and co-ordinated manner.

Thus the objectives of the workshop were:

• To ascertain what data on child wellbeing and poverty exists and what surveys are being undertaken or planned

• To determine the gaps in the current research data and the specific data requirements of key players

• To discuss and decide upon the best possible methods for generating the required child poverty and well-being data

• To develop an ‘action plan’, within a coordinated framework, with those individuals/organisations who have a constructive contribution to, or interest in, the generation of credible, reliable and up-to-date child poverty data.

Outcomes of the workshop
Many of the key research agencies and researchers in child poverty and well-being were represented at the workshop and presented their work, focusing on the design, limitations and their perspectives on the required research. Also present were many representatives from the national Department of Social Development, and some from Health and Education Departments. In addition, a few agencies funding child-related activities were present. They and the department representatives presented their data requirements to the researchers. Together the participants highlighted the main gaps in the data and the types of research required to address these.

Thus the workshop began the process of establishing a child research agenda for South Africa.

In addition, consideration was given to the appropriate structure required to coordinate child research efforts. Most participants felt that there was need to have some structure that would:

• establish and maintain a database/ clearing-house of all the child-related research in the country, which would be easily accessible to all, preferably through a website;

• maintain a research agenda for child research in South Africa (this would not involve trying to co-ordinate all the research occurring, but rather to keep researchers informed of the key gaps and data requirements);

• keep researchers informed of research activities and in touch with each other, perhaps through a list-serve, regular meetings or annual conferences;

• facilitate the participation of a range of researchers around certain research questions and projects (e.g the South African 10-year review).

Other comments from the participants included: such a structure should be owned by the research community and should be as inclusive and representative as possible. While there are many research networks, there are few, if any, that focus on children. The possibility of joining any of these existing networks was discussed. It was felt that there was need for a very specific child focus, which might get lost if incorporated into other networks. However, it would be imperative to link with the well-established networks. It was stressed that the setting of a research agenda must incorporate the needs of datausers, policy-makers, advocacy groups and funders. It was stressed that ‘networking’ should not just be for the sake of networking, but have a clear purpose and aims.

It was agreed by the participants that the four agencies involved in the planning of this workshop, would stand as the interim Task Team to begin the process of establishing such a network, and would explore the various options for its structure and functioning.

Workshop report & child research inventory & network
It is hoped to launch the report of the workshop, and the Network, in Child Protection week at the end of May 2003.
The report and papers presented are also available on-line:
www.uct.ac.za/depts/ci
www.idasa.org.za
www.socdev.gov.za

Footnotes
1. Committee of Inquiry into a Comprehensive Social Security System (CoI). 2002. “Transforming the present, Protecting the Future: Consolidated report”. p16. Figure varies between 45% and 55% depending on the poverty line and measure used. Further details on this figure were not available.

2. NEDLAC FOCUS POVERTY, Dialogue Vol. 2, No. 3: http://www.nedlac.org. za/docs/dialogue/ 1998/poverty.htm

3. CoI. Ibid. p.20. Using an expanded definition of unemployment.

4. Streak J. 2002. Child Poverty Monitor. No.1. IDASA.
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