PRESS RELEASE

Microsoft sponsors VND 5.4 billion in developing applications to support child protection in Vietnam

Hanoi, 12 July 2018. Microsoft Vietnam, ChildFund Vietnam and Department of Child Affairs sign a Memorandum of Understanding on their cooperation in building a child protection application. Accordingly, Microsoft Vietnam will sponsor VND 5.4 billion for the research and development of information system, reports of suspected child abuse and applications to protect children on the internet. According to a UNICEF report in 2017, one out of every three internet users around the world was a child. This may create opportunities for disabled children and ethnic minority children, but at the same time, carry a huge risk of child abuse on the internet. Since the official connection of internet in Vietnam to the global internet in 1997, Vietnam has achieved outstanding results with 64 million internet users as of June 2017, which accounts for 67% of the population. Vietnam is also among the countries having highest internet users in Asia. Associated with the Vietnamese Action Month for Children 2018 – For a safe and healthy life of children in the digital world, Microsoft has partnered with ChildFund Vietnam in order to develop software and applications to support child protection activities on the internet. Attending the signing ceremony are Mr. Pham The Truong – General Director of Microsoft Vietnam, Mr. Dang Hoa Nam – Head of Department of Child Affairs, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Lien – Country Director of ChildFund Vietnam, and other representatives from Ministries, Departments, Sectors related to child protection in Vietnam. As stated in the Memorandum of Understanding, during 25 months from July 2018, Microsoft will support ChildFund in developing a web-based information system in which users can report child abuse cases in order to protect children, strengthen the adaptability of children and young people in the community as well as develop applications and technical solutions to ensure the safety of children on the internet. These two applications will initially be used under the framework of two projects namely VN03-024 – Strengthening Local Child Protection System Effectiveness and VN03-033 – Swipe Safe funded by ChildFund and implemented by ChildFund’s partners in Hoa Binh, Cao Bang, and Bac Kan province. The applications will be designed in a user-friendly way which can work on both web-based and mobile systems. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham The Truong – General Director of Microsoft Vietnam said, “We are living in a fast moving, connected world, filled with new complex issues everyday. This project is one of the initiatives Microsoft is working with NGOs to solve social challenges, improve the human condition and drive new growth equally with technology. We believe in good outcomes from this project and so, our children can live in a healthier environment.” Within the framework of the grant, thanks to the consultation from Department of Child Affairs on technical activities related to child protection, Microsoft will work closely with ChildFund Vietnam to develop the applications in which users can report suspected child abuses cases as well as receive necessary and timely assistance through the child protection system at the grass-roots level. Microsoft’s grant for this activity of ChildFund Vietnam will continue to enhance the effectiveness of child protection services at the grass-roots level and strive to replicate good practice models nationwide. “One of ChildFund’ priorities in the coming years is to support the Government and grass-roots level’s authorities in building and strengthening an effective child protection service system. We believe that with the support from Microsoft, ChildFund Vietnam will be able to implement data management and awareness-raising through education applications which are highly practical and successfully applied in the context of Vietnam”, said Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Lien.