Vientiane (VNA)- The 14th ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on Social Welfareand Development (14th GO-NGO Forum), themed “Strengthening Social Protectionfor Vulnerable Children in ASEAN”, took place in Vientiane, Laos on November18.

The eventwas within the framework of the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on SocialWelfare and Development (AMMSWD) and related meetings from November 17 – 22.

Attendingthe forum were representatives from 10 ASEAN member states, non-governmentaland civil organisations, the International Council on Social Welfare and theASEAN Secretariat.

Speaking at the event, arepresentative from the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said theforum provides a platform to discuss measures to enhance ASEAN social welfareand development, especially strengthening social protection for vulnerablechildren as well as social insurance and security.

Participants mulled over newsolutions to enhance children’s involvement in dealing with vulnerabilitiesfaced by them, shared experience in providing social protection for disabledand vulnerable children, and abuse victims.

The 14thGO-NGO Forum was held before the 15th Senior Officials’ Meeting on Social Welfare andDevelopment and the 10th AMMSWD, with the aim of creating a multilateralframework and affording ASEAN member states, non-governmental and civilorganisations and partners a chance to give recommendations in the field.

The outcomes of the forum willbe submitted to the SOMSWD, AMMSWD and AMMSWD 3 in the coming days./.