October 19, 2001

US AMBASSADOR SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
ON CHILDREN WITH ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT

Michael Guest, the U.S. Ambassador to Romania, today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Romania to establish a project on children's welfare. Mr. Serban Mihailescu, Minister Coordinator of the General Secretariat, signed on behalf of the Romanian Government. Premier Adrian Nastase also attended the signing.

"Through this partnership we are making a long-term commitment to develop sustainable links between U.S. and Romanian organizations dedicated to the reform of the child welfare system. Five years from now, the message will be what an extraordinary model Romania has become for other countries in and outside the region," Ambassador Guest said.

The accord inaugurated "ChildNet," a five-year, USD $15 million partnership program dedicated to the reform of Romania's child welfare system.

The ChildNet Project will be coordinated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption (NACPA) and World Learning. In order to implement the program, World Learning will make grants to civil society organizations in partnership with local child welfare authorities. A joint committee made up of representatives from the three partner organizations will provide direction and vision for the ChildNet Project.

During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Guest also highlighted the fact that since the United States first became involved in the early 1990's in providing aid to Romania, it has committed more than USD $50 million to child welfare.

"While our commitment began with humanitarian aid to bolster large residential institutions, current USAID programs focus on supporting the development of Romania's community services that prevent institutional placements of children," Ambassador Guest said.

ChildNet will foster partnerships aiming to reduce the number of children in institutions and to increase the number of children utilizing quality community services. The project will explore, develop and nurture a range of services for children, such as counseling, day care, life skills for adolescents and adoption.