This report is the result of a seminar held in Kazakhstan 2004. It focuses on social welfare sector reform, and includes topics such as expanding legislative agendas and financing frameworks, as well as gate keeping. Case studies of reform processes from Romania, Tajikistan and Serbia are discussed. Includes conference agenda.

Practical guidance, case examples, and tools to assess, monitor, and evaluate child protection services and facilitate reform away from institutionalization of children.

Outlines the Butterfly Program in India, which utilizes to an empowerment approach to working with children living and working on the streets of New Delhi. Highlights the importance of child participation and rights.

This paper defines concepts and highlights key topics around orphaned and vulnerable children. It stresses the importance of creating a child-friendly environment and utilizing a holistic approach to care, both which identify children as central participants in decision-making about care and placement.

Pursuant to the decision of the Ninth Summit, the SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements on the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia was signed in January 2002 during the Eleventh Summit in Kathmandu.

A training guide for health and social workers on the delivery of medical and psychosocial services to survivors of sexual abuse.

Highlights the work of Childhope Asia Philippines and Families and Children for Empowerment and Development in helping street children living in and around Manila.

A qualitative evaluation of child soldiering in the East Asia and Pacific region based on accounts of current and former child soldiers. Includes comprehensive guidelines for interviewing children about their experiences with child soldiering.

This paper examines the negative impact of institutional care in central eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltics region. It promotes community-based care alternatives and provides statistics. It also includes a list of useful resources addressing orphaned and vulnerable children.

Examines the emergence of children living and working on the streets in China. Disaggregates 'street children' as a phenomenon by outlining the underlying causes for their situations. Compares adult perceptions of 'street children' with the children's own perspectives.