World Conference: "Children Without Parental Care"

World Initiative for Orphans (WIO) will sponsor a four-day World Conference on "Children without Parental Care" May 21-24, 2007, in The Hague,
Netherlands. It will host representatives from over 100 countries. Participants will include government officials, NGO representatives and scientists. A wide
range of distinguished speakers, children's advocates and experts in various fields will discuss the long needed reforms in world child welfare policies.

Why specifically children without parental care?

There are more than 150 million children without parental care right now. Thirty thousand precious children will die today, tomorrow, and the next, the
overwhelming number of them will be orphans, without the help of people who can make a difference. In order to make our mission/vision a reality we need the help of everyone willing to stand up for these children throughout the world, because we must remember that our world's children are just that-OUR children.

Children who are deprived of the guidance and protection of their primary caregivers are more vulnerable to health risks, violence, exploitation and
discrimination and they are often deprived of education. The conference will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and concerns on critical issues
pertaining to these children, and thus identify the best approaches to serve this disadvantaged group.

What are WIO's goals and ambitions?

WIO is a registered non-profit organisation based in The Hague, The Netherlands, which strives to safe-guard the fundamental needs of the 150 million
orphaned and abandoned children worldwide. By means of this large and international conference, they will create momentum for increased global awareness,
renewed dialogue, dissemination of research results and sharing of knowledge on the needs of children without parental care.

Who is the target audience?

This conference is meant for high level government representatives and decision makers, NGOs, and researchers in relevant fields. The themes of the
conference will include: children's rights, child soldiers, adoption, reunification, foster care and institutional care.

WIO in cooperation with The Orphan Awareness Foundation (OAF), in conjunction with the World Conference, will conduct a campaign through the media,
governments, schools, organizations, businesses and individuals to bring awareness of the plight of Children without Parental Care and advocate for them
in hopes to enrich their lives. This effort is entitled, "World Orphan Month." It will run May 18-29, 2007.

MISSION:

It is the mission of The Orphan Awareness Foundation to increase worldwide awareness concerning the plight of orphaned and abandoned children through an international education campaign. We believe this can be achieved through coordination with countries, concerned partners, international organizations and
individuals who believe in the realization of best interest of the child practices (BIC).

Vision:

It is our vision that through the establishment of The Orphan Awareness Foundation we will create global awareness which will enhance the momentum needed to spread the word about our world's most vulnerable population enabling the more than 150 million orphaned and abandoned to find permanent, loving homes.

ORPHAN is defined by WIO and OAF as follows:

Any child under the age of eighteen who, due to death, abandonment, abuse, neglect, AIDS, war, culture or poverty, lives without parental care. They may live in
a foster or kinship care setting, orphanage or other institution, rebel or government army as sex slaves or combatants, on the street, or due to the death of
family and community members they may be active heads-of-households.

Why a World Orphan Month?

World Orphan Month is being created to enable anyone interested in the betterment of orphaned and abandoned children's lives to make a difference and take action.

It doesn't take much to make a difference in the life of a child. We need your help. Help us raise awareness and be part of the change. Change is coming...Be the change!

If you would like to learn more about the World Conference and consider attending or World Orphan Month and how you may particpate; visit their respective web sites: