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A recent panel discussion at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) underscored the need for further communication between all parties before deciding what is best for children and families who are living in poverty. For Lenora Cola, an activist and single mother who has raised children in New York homeless shelters, the way decisions are currently being made system-wide for poor families needs to change.
"There needs to be more discussion between all parties involved before a decision is made to break up a family," said Cola.
Cola was one of five guest speakers at a recent CUSSW symposium that explored "How Poverty Separates Children from Families." The panel, held on March 2, was part of several events planned during National Social Work Month. Moderated by Dr. John Robertson, adjunct assistant professor at CUSSW, the panel examined the challenges facing families and children who are living in extreme poverty and excluded from the development process.
The topic was developed earlier in a study conducted by non-governmental coalition the International Movement ATD-4 th World which was presented to the United Nations and funded by UNICEF. The guest speakers have each played a significant role in developing the study on international poverty. In addition to Cola, who is an active member of the International Movement ATD-4 th World, panelists included Ariane Eigler, MSW '02 of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Coalition and principal editor of the five-nation study; Teresa Bachiller and Michael Arsham from the Child Welfare Organizing Project; and Vicki Soanes, a full-time volunteer who represents ATD 4 th World at the U.N.
The panel addressed several issues relating to poverty and families. In New York, the lack of opportunities to include input from parents has affected how services are shared and delivered to solve complex problems. Many poor parents are not heard or even addressed in issues that have to do with the well being of their children. Being in poverty seems to in itself declare these parents incompetent. On an international level, the issue of poverty becomes more complex. For example, families in Burkina Faso were separated because children had to go to the street. In Guatemala, children were separated from their poor families because the children had to be given up for international adoption. In the Philippines, children were taken as forced laborers.
The panelists agreed that ending poverty and addressing the needs of children in poverty requires cooperation between the family members, public agencies and international development efforts. Far too often, decisions are made without including the wisdom, creativity and resilience of family members. Indeed, these very intrusions into families disrespect the parents and weaken the bonds of the family that are needed to sustain normal development for the children. The speakers stressed that the inclusion of the voices of those living in poverty at the tables where planning, decision-making and implementation strategies to address the need of children in poverty.
This program was sponsored by the International Field Office with the International Student Association at CUSSW. Several events are planned in celebration of National Social Work Month, including the March 29 Distinguished Visiting Scholars series featuring Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State on United Nations reform.
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