In January 2025, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom launched a bold an

This article traces the evolution of Cambodia’s system for caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), shaped by political stabilization, emerging child protection concerns, international advocacy, and gradual state engagement. While Cambodia now has a solid policy framework, weak government prioritization, poor interagency coordination, and limited local capacity hinder implementation, leaving proponents to push for broader political commitment, balanced international support, and stronger responses to root causes such as poverty and migration.

This special issue of the Children and Youth Services Review concerns the governance of children's care systems in low and middle-income countries, with a focus on Cambodia, Uganda and Zambia. The special issue focuses on the political and bureaucratic factors that shape priority for and the effectiveness of national children's care systems in low and middle-income countries.

This case study showcases Kar Geno’s transition from institutional care to community-based support for children with disabilities in Siaya County, Kenya, guided by CTWWC and Catholic Relief Services. Through family reintegration, disability-inclusive services, and strong collaboration with government and civil society, Kar Geno has become a model for sustainable care reform, reintegrating nearly all resident children while continuing to provide accessible medical and psychosocial support through a community drop-in center.

The Safe and Responsible Exit Guidance developed by Catholic Relief Services provides a structured framework for organizations transitioning away from financial and technical support of residential care facilities. This guidance emphasizes ethical divestment that prioritizes child safety and supports ongoing care reform.

La Carta Global para la Reforma del Cuidado de la Niñez y Adolescencia es un llamado a los líderes mundiales para que actúen juntos para: respetar la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos del Niño y sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad; invertir en las familias, en las niñas, niños o adolescentes egresados del sistema de protección y servicios inclusivos; poner fin a la violencia contra la niñez y adolescencia y a las prácticas perjudiciales como el turismo en las instituciones

In January 2025, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy launched an initiative to transform the lives of all children globally, so that they are cared for in families and free of violence, exploitation and other harmful practices.

The Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform is a call for world leaders to act together to: uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; invest in families, children, care leavers, and inclusive services; and end violence against children and harmful practices like orphanage tourism.

En janvier 2025, le ministre des Affaires étrangères du Royaume-Uni a lancé une initiative audacieuse et visionnaire : transformer la vie des enfants dans le monde entier afin que tous soient pris en charge dans leur famille et à l’abri de la violence, de l’exploitation et d’autres pratiques néfastes. Cet aperçu fournit un aperçu de la campagne et de la Charte mondiale, y compris la manière dont les pays peuvent la signer.

يُمثّل الميثاق العالميّ لإصلاح رعاية الأطفال دعوة لقادة العالم للعمل معاً من أجل: الالتزام باتفاقيّة الأمم المتحدة لحقوق الطفل واتفاقية الأمم المتحدة لحقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة; الاستثمار في الأسر والأطفال ومغادري الرعاية وفي الخدمات الدامجة;القضاء على العنف ضدّ الأطفال وعلى الممارسات الضارّة، مثل سياحة دور الأيتام.

In January 2025, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom launched a bold and visionary initiative: to transform the lives of children globally so that all children are cared for in families and free of violence, exploitation and other harmful practices.

Through this new campaign governments, civil society, faith groups, and individuals with lived experience of care systems are calling on world leaders to join forces in a global movement that harnesses decades of international progress to ensure all children are growing up in a safe, nurturing and loving family environment. This overview calls on government leaders to join this movement.