The first International Forum on Children's Development organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will be held in Beijing from October 29 to October 31.

The theme of this forum is "Children in the 21st Century and the Sustainable Development of Society".

According to forum sponsors, more than 200 delegates, including child/young journalists, are expected to attend the forum during which a wide range of topics will be discussed.

Other delegates include Hu Qili, president of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Ms. Anupama Rao Singh, regional director of UNICEF's East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office; Yi Xiaozhun, vice minister with the Ministry of Commerce; and Ms. Reva Nayyar, secretary of Department of Women and Child Development of Ministry of India.

The three-day forum will focus on issues and problems including child immigration, kidnapping, family education, and HIV/AIDS.

The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday morning at the Great Hall of the People.
 
(China.org.cn by Wang Ke, October 27, 2005)