On July 16^th, 2009, the 10^th Media Support Network Salon, focusing on “Left-behind Children in Henan,” was held in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Thirty-two delegates from local NGOs and the local media, who are concerned and experienced in the left-behind children issue, participated in this salon. The Media Support Network Salon is part of the VTC Program—“The Development of Harmonious Society and the Capability Building of NGOs project”. The VTC Program was executed by China Association for NGOs Cooperation (CANGO) and funded by the German Church Development Service (EED).

 In the opening speech, Mr. Huang Haoming, the secretary general in CANGO, said, “As result of Chinese economic development and labor force transfer, left-behind children was regarded as an urgent social issue at present, especially in the rural areas. NGOs, on one hand, should be the first to become active on finding and addressing such social problems. On the other hand, NGOs should be more active in cooperating with media and contributing to advocate and arouse public awareness all together.”

 Three delegates from Association for Development of Old Revolutionary Base in Henan Province gave presentations, which mainly focused on the current situation of the local left-behind children, what local NGOs have done for them, the local government attitude, and the difficulties in promoting program. Some creative ideas and activities were also introduced by the local NGOs in caring and helping left-behind children, such as how to build their confidence up. Journalists from the local newspaper, network, TV station, and broadcast gave a response afterward about their own opinion and understanding and expressed that continuous concerning and advocating for NGOs is very important. In a Q&A session, the question about how to address the left-behind children issue thoroughly was debated over by participants. In the end, Mr. Huang Zhen Ying, the secretary general of Henan Association for Development of Old Revolutionary Base, gave comments and concluded that economic development will be the final solution in addressing this issue. But in this progress, NGOs must learn how to work with media and government.