Let me start today by asking you to picture the life of a child anywhere in Viet Nam that

might have been deprived of parental care due to death of her or his parents, poverty,
the impact of HIV and AIDS, disability, or any other cause.

For this child I cherish the hope that our shared ambition today will in the future ensure
that she will grow up in the environment most positive and natural for her growth, well-
being and protection. Over the next two days that should be at the heart of our
discussions: the need to provide the best protection and care to those children most in
need.

In Viet Nam, the number of children in need of special protection has been on the
increase. Recent data from MOLISA indicate that the total number of orphans,
abandoned children without families is around 168,000, of which about 15,000 are
children living in institutions.

Children placed in formal residential care systems for longer periods than needed are at
a greater risk of being exposed to abuse and neglect and will face greater problems after
leaving the institution including stigma, isolation, lower education achievement,
delinquency and homelessness.

It is universally recognized that keeping vulnerable children in supportive and well

regulated family and community-based settings is the most conducive for holistic child
development. It is with consideration for the best interest and rights of the child that the
international community has called for a swift move away from institutionalization
towards prioritizing the development of alternative family and community-based care
options.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes both the child's right to be
cared for by his or her parents, while also setting out States Parties' obligations to
provide suitable alternative care where this is not possible, or not in the best interest of
the child, including foster placement.

Against this background the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children has been
prepared and submitted to the General Assembly for adoption by the end of 2009. The
guidelines set out desirable orientations for policy and practice with the intention of
enhancing the protection and well-being of children deprived of parental care or who are
at risk of being so. A copy of the guidelines is being distributed to all participants at this
symposium and I would like to take this opportunity to strongly advocate for the
endorsement and application of these guidelines in Viet Nam.

Ladies and gentlemen,

With the Government's Decision #65 on Community-based Care for Children in

Especially Difficult Circumstances, we have already witnessed an important shift in Viet
Nam from institutional care to alternative solutions. This commitment to promote the
development of family and community-based alternatives and protective strategies is a
key step forward in building a more conducive system in the best interest of the child.

We also acknowledge Viet Nams proud history of strong and cohesive communities, as
evidenced by the widespread practice of kinship and informal foster care, whereby a
child is cared for by either extended family or unrelated community members.

However, formal foster care as recognized internationally does not exist yet in Viet Nam.

There is a strong need for the Government to formalize and regulate these types of
alternative care arrangements in order for the Government to provide adequate support
and monitoring of existing arrangements, increase access of vulnerable children to these
arrangements, and ensure the well-being the child.

UNICEF is committed to work in partnership with the Government of Viet Nam, as well
as national and international organizations to support the development and formalization
of a foster care system in Viet Nam to better meet the holistic development needs of
vulnerable children, and in doing so provide them with a better opportunity to reach their
full potential and a successful transition into adulthood.

I would therefore like to emphasize the importance of this two-day symposium in

generating greater awareness, a common understanding and a shared vision on the
potential role and benefits of promoting foster care as one of the family-based alternative
care option for orphans and other vulnerable children in Viet Nam. I do hope that through
this symposium successful foster care and best practices from other countries will be
reviewed, as well as relevant policy and regulatory frameworks to support the
introduction of foster care in Viet Nam.

Before closing I would like to reiterate what I believe is at the center of the UN
Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children:

The family is the natural environment for the growth, well-being and protection of
children. Efforts should primarily be directed to enabling the child to remain in or return
to the care of his/her parents, or when appropriate, other close family members.
Removal of a child from the care of the family should be seen as a measure of last resort
and should be, whenever possible, temporary and for the shortest possible duration.

I wish you all a productive and fruitful symposium and thank you for your attention.