APPENDIX 1
Memorandum from The Church in Wales
Response of the Church in Wales to the Withdrawal
of the Children's Society from its Work in Wales
The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop
of Wales, was a President of "The Children's Society of the
Church of England and the Church in Wales" and, as such should
have been consulted in some way prior to the decision of the Trustees
of the Society to withdraw from work in Wales.
A number of the issues facing the Children's
Society in Wales are directly related to the remit of the National
Assembly for Wales, which ought to have been consulted in some
way, probably through the Minister with responsibility for Children.
It needs to be recognised that Wales is not simply a region.
The Church in Wales has been substantially involved
in working alongside the Children's Society, both in its work
in the community and particularly in children's advocacy. The
Church in Wales has also been involved in lobbying in respect
of the job description of the Children's Commissioner.
The Church in Wales wishes the good work of
the Children's Society in Wales to continue after the Society
ceases to work in the Principality. The Church wishes to support
anything in the interim which is designed to make it possible
for that work to continue.
A holding fund, "The Archbishop of Wales'
Fund for Children", has been set up under the trusteeship
of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales in order to
receive funds which otherwise would have been donated to the Children's
Society. This is not a replacement charity and it is anticipated
that the fund will be wound-up during 2002 and the proceeds allocated
to whatever replaces the Children's Society in Wales.
Robert ME Paterson, Revd
on, behalf of the Archbishop of Wales
Principal Officer,
Council for the Mission & Ministry
14 December 2001
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