Maestral International’s mission is to provide cutting-edge, relevant and effective technical expertise that helps communities and nations to protect children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect, while ensuring that all of their children are cared for in safe and appropriate family or alternative care settings. We envision a world where every child is able to reach his or her full potential. Working with a wide range of partners, we join forces to promote the achievement of all children’s best interests.
Identifying national level opportunities to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families by promoting and facilitating policy dialogue and change.
Mapping and assessing national, regional and local child protection systems, and identifying actions and programs required to improve child welfare and protection.
Advancing understanding of what works through effective monitoring and evaluation, dissemination of lessons learned, and research and evidence-building.
Facilitating networks of organizations, policymakers, public and private agencies, and regional and global organizations to join forces to support a common vision for change.
Maestral International stands united with organizations, communities and individuals around the world that are actively standing against racism. International development institutions are not immune to racism and should be at the forefront in redressing the legacy of colonialism and promoting social justice around the globe. In our work, and with our partners, we will continue to endeavor to raise awareness, work on our own understanding, and get better at listening, acting, and speaking up.
The horrendous murder of George Floyd has catalyzed a movement within the United States and around the globe, but the roots that led to that murder and so many other similar incidences, have been building for centuries. Countless people of color have experienced profound harm, and an untold number of lives have been taken.
Racism is a key driver of violence, abuse, and exploitation of children, as well as affecting their mental health and wellbeing, and must be seriously addressed if children are to be truly protected and access their human rights. Maestral is committed to that agenda and is prepared to work actively alongside those committed to racial justice, both at the global level and in the countries in which we engage.
The issuance of the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe vs. Wade has led the World Health Organization, UNFPA, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UN Women to issue statements on the impact of the decision on the rights, welfare and protection of girls, women and other people who can become pregnant. As an organization dedicated to protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect, Maestral International shares the sentiments in these statements and furthermore, has profound concerns about the impact this ruling will have on children and families, especially the most vulnerable around the world.
We believe there is a connection between the right to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and child protection – one that has not been adequately discussed by organizations and individuals working towards our vision of a safe and nurturing world where all children are able to reach their potential. We recognize that many individuals and organizations share different views about this ruling including some with whom we work. However, we remain steadfast in our belief in the critical importance of finding common ground and mutual respect to facilitate effective dialogue across our differences that ultimately enable the best outcomes for as many children as possible.
Maestral International is identifying partners to conduct a convening this Fall to explore the evidence linking access to and quality of comprehensive reproductive health services with the protection and welfare of children. We invite all to join us in this discussion. Please stay tuned for more information on the convening’s objectives, agenda, participants, and logistics.
Links to statements referenced above:
Changing The Way We Care℠ (CTWWC) is an initiative designed to promote safe, nurturing family care for children, including reforming national systems of care for children, strengthening families, family reunification and preventing child-family separation, development of alternative family-based care, and influencing others to build momentum towards a tipping point of change for children. Along with […]
Read MoreUnderstanding the Human Resources Dedicated to the Integral Protection of Panama Cristian Maneiro & Sully Santos de Uclés A recent project in Panama presented new challenges as well as exciting achievements. The Maestral team led by Sully Santos (team lead), Cristian Maneiro, and Kelley Bunkers, together with an excellent team of local consultants – Nayibe […]
Read More“A hundred children, a hundred individuals who are people—not people-to-be, not people of tomorrow, but people now, right now—today.”
—Janusz Korczak
