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More chances should be given to poor children

VGP – Children are more likely vulnerable to poverty than adults. So, child poverty reduction is a short-term task which would bring about long-term effects.

November 27, 2009 10:22 AM GMT+7

International and domestic delegates to the Conference named "A new approach to child poverty in Việt Nam" taking place in Hà Nội on November 26-27, 2009 - Photo: Molisa.gov.vn

It is estimated that around one third of Vietnamese children aged under 16 (equivalent to some 7 million) are poor, said the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) at the Conference themed "A new approach to child poverty in Việt Nam" taking place in Hà Nội on November 26-27, 2009.

The conference, which drew the participation of local and international officials and experts, aims at finding ways to translate a new multidimensional approach to child poverty into concrete policies.

The approach was developed in 2006 by the MOLISA with the assistance of the Vietnamese General Statistics Offices, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Holland’s University of Maastrich.

It defines that a child is considered poor if he cannot enjoy at least two out of eight fundamental needs: education, healthcare, shelter, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, working safety, entertainment, and social inclusion and protection.

MOLISA Minister Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said at the conference that poverty would cause more severe impacts on children than adults. Child poverty reduction, as she said, is a short-term target but it would return long-term fruits.

She hoped that the conference would help to raise people’s common understanding of the new approach so that the National Goal Programs on poverty reduction and children would be fruitfully fulfilled.

By Hải Minh