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Event Description

Investment in child-protective hiring practices is crucial in Vietnam for educational institutions, corporations, and NGO’s.  Without it we run the risk of not only endangering the most vulnerable but of undermining the success of the organization’s mission and objectives. Be it an international school, a global business or an in-country service organization the responsibility to civic society need not be overstated- none will prosper without a strong and healthy society to function in.

Unfortunately, it’s well reported how systematic the  abuse of minors can be, often within the places we least suspect; where we work, where we learn and even where we worship and pray. Like most ills, timely prevention offers much more hope and possibilities, than most available treatments.

This conference seeks to inform and provide the best global techniques and practices for preventing institutional child abuse. This includes state-of-the-art human resource recruiting and hiring practices as well as an important strategic discussion for all executives faced with the serious challenge of preventing the potential of child abuse within their institutions.

Agenda

08:00 – 08:30	Registration
08:30 – 08:45	Opening remarks
08:45 – 09:30	Keynote
09:30 – 10:00	Panel discussion
10:00 – 10:45	Break-out Session 1 (Choose either A or B) A: Safer Recruitment B: Impact of abuse on Children
10:45 – 11:00	Break
11:00 – 11:45	Break-out Session 2: (Choose either C or D) C: Signs of Abuse D: Employee Background Check
11:45 – 12:00	Closing statements

Costs

AmCham Members: VND 650,000 | Non-members: VND 800,000

Reservations/cancellations must be received by 24 hours before the event, and must be made on-line or by email. We are unable to accept reservations/cancellations by telephone.

Speakers

Dr. Dennis Larkin

Dr. Dennis Larkin has been a respected educator for over 40 years, including over three decades in international schools. As an administrator, he has been consistently recognized for his excellent leadership in and contributions to the field of international education. Having completed a seven-year tenure as head of school at the Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana at the end of June 2016, Dr. Larkin retired from full time positions. Dr. Larkin also served as the Superintendent at Shanghai American School (SAS), where he oversaw expansion in academic, student support and athletic programs, student enrollment and the physical campus. Prior to heading SAS, he was Superintendent at the American International School of Riyadh. Other overseas assignments have included posts in schools in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Ghana and India. He has also served on many international Boards. As Board member and president of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) and as co-chair of the Child Protection Working Group, Dr. Larkin led the team that researched and authored the AISA Child Protection Handbook which has been widely circulated and acknowledged throughout the international school community.  Along with his wife, Dr. Lois Engelbrecht, he was instrumental in bringing awareness of Child Protection to the forefront of international schools throughout the world.

Currently, Dr. Larkin works with international school boards in providing board governance training, strategic planning and child protection training and programs. Recent years have seen Dr. Larkin support schools in Vietnam, Cambodia, Jordan, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Italy, Germany, Sudan, Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mali, Trinidad and Tobago and Senegal.  Dr. Larkin is the author of the School Effectiveness Framework developed for the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), an administrators’ guide to best practice skills, tools and resources for heads of school.

Dr. Larkin has spoken at numerous conferences over the years with a primary focus on the development and implementation of comprehensive child protection programs in international schools around the world. Dr. Larkin travels to support schools whenever and wherever invited to do so. He is married for 44 years to his wife, Dr. Lois Engelbrecht, founder and board member of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse in Manila, Philippines. When not working internationally, Dennis and Lois reside, at least part of the year, at their home outside of Seattle, WA in the USA.

Kannan Chettiar
President of Asia CEO Community (Singapore Chapter)

Kannan Chettiar is an award winning Global Leader with 23 years of experience in the Technology and Human Capital sectors spanning across Asia, EMEA & North America. He is co-founder and Managing Director of Avvanz (www.Avvanz.com) – an award  winning Employee Lifecycle Management company that prides in its 3 business pillars – Screen, Onboard and Develop. Avvanz helps to screen for the “right” and “safe” candidates through background checks. Avvanz then helps to integrate the new joiners through comprehensive new employee onboarding solutions leveraging mobile technologies. Avvanz enhances the talents through uniquely differentiated blended learning solutions relevant for the Digital Economy aimed at surpassing the business KPIs. Avvanz has received several awards including a Gold-Medal for Best Background Screening Provider (by Human Resources Magazine) and other nominations for differentiated and disruptive solutions.

Kannan’s technopreneurship has earned him “Executive of the Year – Human Resources Technology” award which is an extremely prestigious Management Excellence award from Singapore Business Review.

Kannan has held management and leadership positions in First Advantage, Dell Computers, Future Electronics, Arrow Electronics (NY-listed), Farnell Group (London-listed where he managed Sales, Account Management, Marketing incl Digital Marketing), e2open (IBM-backed) and i-Sprint Innovations (Acer-backed). Kannan’s other dimensions: Certified International Trainer with very high ratings from Fortune 500 Clients and Consultant to several companies especially in areas of Digital Transformation.

Kannan regularly delivers Thought Leadership talks, keynote speeches and Masterclasses in the region and constantly offers insights and perspectives in mainstream newspapers, trade publications and TV shows (Talk show, News, Documentary). Some of these can be viewed at www.avvanz.com.

Dr. Miguel Fernando Dinis de Seixas, Psychiatrist

Dr. Miguel undertook his psychiatric studies in the U.K. following the completion of a medical degree in Portugal at the University of Porto. He trained in Cambridge and London and is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He holds a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in General Adult Psychiatry from the General Medical Council, U.K.

Prior to joining the team at FMP, Dr. Miguel worked as a community psychiatrist in Cambridge, treating a variety of mental health conditions affecting the local population. He has worked in various capacities as a consultant psychiatrist, both within inpatient and outpatient departments, and has led a number of mental health inpatient and community psychiatry services, including a specialist community psychiatry service for people with complex personality disorders.

Dr. Miguel was a founding member of the Sustainability Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and was a clinical teacher and undergraduate tutor for medical students in the School of Clinical Medicine of the University of Cambridge until his arrival at Family Medical Practice.

Over the years, Dr. Miguel has served as a clinical supervisor for doctors at different levels in psychiatric or general practice training. He has treated people suffering from depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, and those who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. Outside of work, he greatly enjoys reading and picking up fresh knowledge from good books.

Dr. Jane Shadwell-Li, Internal Medicine

Dr. Jane is a graduate of her native New York’s Stony Brook Medical School, and completed her residency in internal medicine at Long Island’s North Shore University Hospital, after which she worked for two years at an outpatient clinic in Washington D.C. Arriving in Vietnam in the year 2000, she began with us in 2002 while also serving the U.S. Consulate’s health units. She now practices full time with FMP.

One of the medical center’s longest-serving general practitioners, Dr. Jane deals with a broad variety of treatments, conditions and diseases—taking particular interest in the fields of dermatology and infectious disease. Enjoying the challenge of being the first “detective on the scene” even after 20 years in medicine, Dr. Jane is frequently called upon to present health talks on a wide range of issues such as health screening, breast cancer, occupational health and skin cancer.

Dr. Jane is a fluent speaker of both English and Mandarin, and has a fair grasp of Spanish for medical purposes. Outside of the medical center, she is a dedicated fan of literature and dining.

Suzanne Murray
Safeguarding Manager of Cognita Asia

Suzanne is currently the Safeguarding Manager for Cognita Asiaand have been in post for over 2 years. She has responsibility for the strategic leadership, managementand implementation of safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures for the 11 Cognita schools and Holiday Camps in the Region. Suzanne acts as an advisor to the schools and ensure that there is a highly trained team in each school / camp, who can work to implement UK standards and expectations which keep children safe. Suzanne also delivers training in a range of safeguarding areas, including Safer Recruitment.

Previously, Suzanne was the Deputy Head of School at the International school of HCMC, leadingboth academic and operational staff teams in school. The time spend in ISHCMC gave her a unique insight into life in international schools and into Vietnam.

Prior to joining the International world of Education, Suzanne was an independent Safeguarding and Leadership Consultant working with Deloitte of London and E-Act Academy Trust chain – UK. She has 23 years’ experience working in Leadership and as a teacher in state schools in the UK. She has also been a National Education Trainer, supporting young staff on the development of Pastoral Leadership skills. She is strongly committed to supporting young people on their journey to reach their potential.