An Approach to Promoting Civil Society Participation in Juvenile Care in Orphanages

Abstract

                 This study was conducted by the researcher with the objective to: 1) study the conditions and problems in promoting the participation of civil society in child care, 2) study the factors in place for the management and the participation of civil society that affects child care, and 3) offer guidelines to promote the participation of civil society in child care in orphanages. Research has been done using mixed-method research that merges the qualitative and quantitative approach using the methods of, 1) in-depth interviews of government executives within both political parties, department officials, and civil society leaders at high levels. Interviews were conducted on how the operation of civil society can guide countries, as well as drawing comparisons to other countries, 2) brainstorming with the Executive Department within the orphanages and the civil society, and 3) obtaining data from a group of individuals and analyzing with descriptive statistics (Descriptive Statistics) and the statistical reference (Inferential Statistics).

                 The result of this research has found that the existing approach and laws are not conducive to giving civil society input into juvenile care in the orphanage; so the numbers within civil society choosing to become foster families are too few compared to the number of juveniles in need from the orphanages, and also obstructs civil society from volunteering, counselling or other roles that contribute to supporting juveniles within orphanages to have a better quality of life. Some abandoned juveniles in the orphanage's care have mental and physical problems caused from their own behavior and the lack of quality staff.  The result of this research shows that the level of support for the management structure in the orphanages and civil society’s participation in juvenile care in the orphanage overall was medium. In the meantime, the support for juvenile care in the orphanage overall was found at a high level.

            In conclusion, the guidelines for a new course in promoting the participation of civil society in juvenile care in orphanages should correspond with the approach laid out by the United Nations regarding juvenile rights and foster family programs. It contains protective measures against dysfunctional families and child abandonment by creating or modifying laws and legislation, and assigns the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, including the Ministry of Education to watch over this area for the betterment of all juveniles in orphanage care.