Francis and Berthe Climbie want to build a school in Victoria's memory

Berthe and Francis Climbie say they have "high hopes" for change but are waiting to see proposals being put into practice.

The couple are visiting the UK for four weeks to lobby ministers and raise money to build a school in their home town on the Ivory Coast in Victoria's memory.

They were at Labour's annual conference on Tuesday to hear Education Secretary Charles Clarke say the government shared their anger at the failures which led to Victoria's death.

Her parents sent her to Britain to get a better education - but the eight-year-old died in February 2000 after months of beatings and neglect at a flat in Tottenham, north London.

If credible people are put in place, we have high hopes that we will see change in Britain Francis Climbie

Her great aunt Marie Therese Kouao and Kouao's boyfriend Carl Manning were convicted of murder.

An inquiry found there were several times social workers, police and doctors might have saved Victoria's life.

Mr Clarke said: "I am absolutely determined that we will all learn the lessons of Victoria's death so that we do far better to protect the lives of vulnerable children."

Earlier this month the Climbies said they were concerned the government appeared to have abandoned plans for a National Agency for Children and Families.

Victoria Climbie suffered horrendous abuse from her carers

Speaking through an interpreter on Tuesday, Mr Climbie said: "We have welcomed the green paper, the changes proposed.

"But more important to us is that the recommendations in the green paper are implemented and practised within the relevant professions.

"If credible people are put in place, we have high hopes that we will see change in Britain."

The couple need to raise �250,000 to build the Victoria Climbie Education Centre in the Abobo district of Abidjan on the Ivory Coast.