Save the Children Strengthens the Cooperation with MoCA on Protection of Minors

On April 8th, 2014, Save the Children and Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), defining mutual cooperation in "Developing an effective model for social protection of minors in difficulties with a focus on family guardianship intervention".

In the afternoon, Pia MacRae (Country Director of Save the Children in China ) and Zhang Shifeng (Director General of the Social Affairs Department of Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs) signed the MOU. Justin Forsyth, the CEO for Save the Children UK and Fergus Drake, the Global Programme Director  who were visiting China, witnessed this important moment.

In the next three years, Save the Children and Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs will preliminarily explore mechanisms for social protection of minors in difficulties with a focus on family guardianship intervention, promote various operating mechanisms seamlessly linking family protection, school protection, social protection and juridical protection, and help minors in difficulties without guardianship or with improper guardianship and their families to address existing problems, such as livelihood, guardianship, education and development.

We will also gradually document locally appropriate models and good practices for social protection of minors, define and standardise the procedures for relief and protection of minors, enhance the awareness and skills of staff, and facilitate the promulgation and implementation of policies for social protection of minors in difficulties.

Save the Children started cooperating with Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs in 1990s, covering the fosterage of orphans and children with disabilities, practice and policy development for protection of street children as well as relief and placement of orphans affected by HIV/AIDS.

Over the past years, the two parties have been closely cooperating in boosting the development of social work in China, comprehensive relief for women and children affected by trafficking, and disaster preparedness and response. On June 1st, 2013, Save the Children was officially registered with Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs that serves as the management agency of Save the Children in China.