20 November marks 25
years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the
Rights of the Child and the world made a commitment to all its children saying
that: “We would do everything in our power to promote and protect their rights”.
This Convention is offered and still offers a vision of the world where all
children survive and develop to their full potential without discrimination,
and are protected, respected and encouraged to participate in decisions that
affect their lives. 22 years passed after ratification of
Children’s Rights in Albanian legislation.
During these years, Albania has made progress in improving the situation of
children, yet this area represents many challenges. Every day hundreds of
children face exploitation, abuse, violence, neglect and are being exposed to
potential risks. To promote children's rights ADRA Albania organized and
participated into several activities that had on focus the CHILDREN.
On
17 November 2014, ADRA staff organized an awareness camping
with 40 children in the public school “Bakushe Visha” about “Children’s
Rights”. During this activity the children pointed out their ideas about their
rights and obligations.
On 18
of November, ADRA staff participated in two different activities that were
organized by UNICEF and Children's Human Rights Centre of Albania – CRCA. UNICEF invited ADRA Albania in
a plenary session led by Ilir Meta (Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic
of Albania) in the Albanian parliament, where the youth made their questions
and got answers about the future plans for education and child protection
programs. The other activity was organized in Tirana International
Hotel, were Children's Human Rights Centre of Albania introduced the latest scientific
research:
“ALBANIA - Case based
surveillance study on violence against children”. 19 November is the World Day
for Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children and ADRA Albania
organized an awareness activity in ADRA community centre, focused
in the topic of “Children’s Abuse and Rights”. ADRA staff decided to raise
the awareness of the Roma and non Roma women that children have rights that
adults should respect them. This activity aimed to create a discussion
between the Roma and non-Roma mothers regarding their
children’s needs and rights. In the end of the discussion all the mothers stood
together for one saying: “Love your child because it is your own life”.
On the same day, three Roma children from Fushe Kruja participated in the activity that was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth in collaboration with the Agency for Protection of Children Right. In this activity the children discussed with the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sport and with some representatives of the Albanian parliament about the new budget that the government will approve for addressing the children’s issue. Some of the questions that the children asked were: We have the right to play but in our community we don’t have a safety environment, could you create a secure place where children can play safety, in our school we don’t have a psychologist or social worker...etc.
On the same day, three Roma children from Fushe Kruja participated in the activity that was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth in collaboration with the Agency for Protection of Children Right. In this activity the children discussed with the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sport and with some representatives of the Albanian parliament about the new budget that the government will approve for addressing the children’s issue. Some of the questions that the children asked were: We have the right to play but in our community we don’t have a safety environment, could you create a secure place where children can play safety, in our school we don’t have a psychologist or social worker...etc.
20
November was the International Children’s day and ADRA Albanian decided to join
the march that was organized from Children's Human Rights Centre of Albania -
CRCA for the protection of Children’s Right. In
different schools many NGOs and politicians celebrated this day with the
children but ADRA staff together with two Roma children and different
representatives from the Civil Society decided to march in the main boulevard
of Tirana for the protection of Children’s Right under the slogan: “ADRA
is walking with the children for their future: RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS”. Even
the Roma children had their own slogan : “We have the right to play but we
don’t have were to play, we have the right to speak but no one is listening us,
we have many rights but you should make sure that these rights are respected”.
