This paper emphasizes the importance of interventions to protect children working and living on the street. Two main categories of approach are identified. The human development approach takes a long-term perspective and concentrates on equipping children with the skills and confidence necessary to reintegrate into society (for example, non-formal education, family reunification programs). The service provision approach is designed to protect children's rights and meet children's short-term needs (for example, providing food or shelter). Combining short- and long-term approaches is the best way to respond to immediate vulnerabilities facing these children while helping to secure their future.
Three appendixes are included as a “how to” guide for strategic planning and action, and as a resource for finding tools for both planning and implementation. Appendix 1 shows how children-focused, rights-based perspectives can be productively integrated into the ADB operational cycle, indicating potential entry points within existing activities. This is followed by a section outlining ways of cooperating with stakeholders at country level (Appendix 2). Appendix 3 provides lists of resources, most of which are easily obtained through the Internet, including organizational links and publications.
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