Key Achievements of Marici M Corneli and Voice of the Child (VOC) in the Last Decade

1. Founding of Family Assist (Early 2010s)
• Established Family Assist, a pioneering organisation providing comprehensive support for families in transition, focusing on child advocacy and family law guidance.
• Developed key training programs in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution for legal professionals, mediators, social workers, and other professionals who focuses on child-inclusive practices and child participation in family disputes.
2. Launch of the Voice of the Child (VOC) Initiative (2015)
• Spearheaded the Voice of the Child initiative in South Africa, focusing on giving children a platform to express their views in legal matters such as custody and divorce, according to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005.
• Trained a network of VOC Practitioners to work with children in legal contexts, ensuring their perspectives are considered in family law cases.
3. Training and Certification of VOC Practitioners (2015-2024)
• Led training programs for over 200 VOC Practitioners, equipping professionals across South Africa to support child participation in legal and family settings.
• Collaborated with leading legal bodies to promote child-focused practices in family law courts, expanding the adoption of VOC methodologies.
• Training provided to FAMSA and all individuals involved in the Court project during that time.
• Officially launched the VOC course and made it available to the public for enrolment in 2018, initially providing it as in-person training at our offices.
• Initially the VOC course was offered as one-on-one training to our first group of VOC students in 2018, and we then transitioned the course to an online
  e-training course and made it available on the Family Assist online e-training platform, which students enrol for and complete online ever since.
4. Expansion of Family Assist’s Influence and National Reach (2016-2024)
• Grew Family Assist’s influence by partnering with legal and psychological professionals to implement child-focussed approaches in Alternative Dispute Resolution and mediation.
• Enhanced the visibility and adoption of child rights education by conducting workshops and seminars for practitioners, judges, and educators.
5. Development of Educational Resources for VOC (2018-2024)
• Created accessible educational materials, manuals, and workshops for professionals and families, focusing on children’s rights, emotional well-being, and the legal importance of child participation in family matters.
6. Publications and Thought Leadership (2018-2024)
• Several articles written by Marici M Corneli for the De Rebus.
• Authored and published the book “I Want To Tell You” aimed at providing guidance and helping children whose parents are undergoing divorce or separation. This book, which is integral to the VOC initiative, was launched in 2020.
• Numerous articles and blogs published, and continued to be, about VOC on several platforms.
7. Collaboration with Legal Institutions for Child Advocacy (2017-2024)
• Worked with South African courts and legal professionals to incorporate child-inclusive methodologies in family law cases, helping to influence legal policies on child welfare.
• Regularly invited as an expert to provide insights on child advocacy in family law conferences and training programs for mediators and lawyers.
8. Advocacy and Lobbying for Child Rights (2019-2024)
• Played a crucial role in advocating for child-focused policy changes within the family law sector, pushing for more widespread acceptance of child participation in court proceedings.
• Contributed to the national dialogue on child rights through media campaigns, partnerships, and collaborations with government and non-governmental organizations.
9. Introduction of Vocational Training for Child Welfare Professionals (2020)
• Introduced vocational training programs for social workers, family counselors, and mediators on integrating child participation into family law disputes.
• Expanded the reach of these training programs to rural and underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to child advocacy training.
10. Partnerships with Schools and Educational Institutions (2021-2024)
• Built partnerships with schools to raise awareness about children’s rights, emotional health, and the importance of active listening in educational environments.
• Engaged in outreach programs aimed at educating children about their legal rights in family matters and promoting mental wellness.
• Provided in-class VOC training at the North-West University (NWU) for three consecutive years from 2022.
• Provided virtual-classroom VOC training to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
11. Ongoing Development of Voice of the Child Centers (2024)

• Initiating the establishment of Voice of the Child Centers to provide dedicated spaces for children to safely express their views in family and legal matters.
• Appointed several VOC Practitioners trained and certified by Family Assist who practices at our VOC centres.
• Currently seeking sponsorships and public-private partnerships to expand VOC centres  access and provide widespread child participation services across the country.

These achievements showcase Marici M Corneli’s commitment to child advocacy, ensuring that the Voice of the Child initiative continues to impact family law and child welfare across South Africa.