CRI听力:UN-led Child Welfare Initiative Takes Root in China

A United Nations-led child welfare initiative is being expanded to more parts of China following its initial success.

CRI's Luo Yu has more.

Reporter: The initiative, called 'The Child Welfare Director', is a cooperation project between UNICEF, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, together with Beijing Normal University.

Xu Jianzhong is an official from civil affairs ministry.

"Initially, we have implemented this pilot project in 5 provinces including Henan, Sichuan, Shanxi, Xinjiang and Yunnan, covering 12 counties with 120 villages to address the needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS."

The project helps vulnerable children gain a birth certificate and residence identity.

The certificate in turn will give them easy access to education, health care and other social benefits.

Since its launch four years ago, the program has benefited more than 70,000 children in China.

Xu Jianzhong says more children are expected to be included.

"In the long run, we dedicate to expanding to all the villages in China, just like the 'barefoot doctors'."

In light of its positive results in China, the program will also be trialed in other parts of the world.

Dan Toole is the UNICEF Regional Director, East Asia and the Pacific.

"The 28 countries that I covered want to know what's working in China. It's a combination of us together that actually creates change and makes innovation and excitement and change for and with children if possible."

Experts and academics have held a dialogue at Beijing Normal University to disucss the experience and lessons learnt in the China pilot.

It's part of this year's global celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The UNICEF has also declared this year as the Year of Innovation for Equity.

For CRI, I'm Luo Yu.