27 April 2010
“Protect the Child” Project: On April 15, 2010, the Gorbachev Foundation held the Round Table themed “Systemic Long-Term Programmes as an Instrument of Social Policy for the Benefit of Children”Care about children is definitely a national priority. Children are the first to suffer in times of social upheavals and economic crises. We should not turn a blind eye to the fact that in Russia many parents do not have enough resources and opportunities to provide for their children’s welfare and prepare them for the future (according to Rosstat, the Federal State Statistics Service, families with children account for 60% of the poorest households). A significant number of parents need different services in the area of childhood care, health, development, and education. Today new programmes are being launched in Russia at the state level for prevention of child abandonment and assistance and support to families with children. Regional authorities, experts, and NGOs active both in Moscow and in the regions have a big role to play in addressing the issues related to childhood protection. It is important to pool efforts, implementing and replicating all the best projects developed by scholars and tried and tested in practice. It is important to constantly draw the attention of the public to the most burning problems affecting families and children, staying away from empty rhetoric and making efforts to address the real issues. The above problems were discussed at the Round Table “Systemic Long-Term Programmes as an Instrument of Social Policy for the Benefit of Children” held on April 15, 2010 at the Gorbachev Foundation. PROGRAMME OF THE ROUND TABLE Opening Remarks: |