SAY YES FOR CHILDREN CAMPAIGN in GEORGIA
“LEAVE
NO CHILD OUT”
This
Round Table Dialogue is organised in the frames of the Say
Yes for Children Campaign, which was launched in Georgia on June 1st,
International Children’s Day. The meeting offers an important opportunity to
members of civil society actively involved in the promotion of child rights and
the protection of children and the Georgian government, to engage in
constructive and open dialogue on ways to end all forms of discrimination and
exclusion against children in Georgia.
SPEAKERS
INCLUDE:
Mr Tedo Isakadze Deputy State Minister, Berlin Conference Participant
Topic:
Children at
Risk of Social Exclusion: the Berlin Commitment
Mr Mikhail Mindadze Head
of Department of Child Rights, Ministry of Education
Topic:
Social Security and Child-Care Facilities in Georgia
Ms
Maya Kuparadze UNICEF
Representative
Topic:
Access to Education For All
Mr
Giorgi Kvabziridze Speaker of the Children and Youth Parliament
Topic:
Youth Participation and Inclusion
Chaired
by Ms Maya Kurtsikidze UNICEF
Representative
Leave
No Child Out
Many
countries of the former Soviet Union have experienced negative social and
economic development in the last decade. In Georgia, the combined effects of
unemployment, income inequalities and cuts in social sector investments have
weakened families’ capacity to provide for and protect their children. With
declining levels of investment in education, basic education for all children
-one of the major cornerstones of the state socialist society-, is now under
threat and contributing to inequality rather than promoting equality of
opportunity. As a consequence, a growing number of children are being deprived
of their right to grow up in a health, safe and supportive family and community
environment, having no access to quality education and health care. Especially
those children from families in poor socio-economic conditions, those with
disabilities, those in institutional care, and those from destroyed families
affected by armed conflict are at risk of social exclusion.
There
is an urgent need for action to meet the challenges facing children, young
people and families in Georgia and throughout the region. The numbers of
children in public care are now over one million; while as many of 85% of these
children actually have a living parent. The continued institutionalisation of
such vast number of children is against every stated policy intention and
signals the need to protect and support families unable to cope. Social work and
related services need to be supported in their assessment, treatment and
rehabilitation roles. Access to education for all children from low-income
families, from rural areas, from minorities, for girls, and for those with
disabilities, should be priorities for action plans, based on clear
anti-discriminatory approaches. Innovative programmes, led by young people
themselves, are crucial for the realisation of the right to participate
associated with active citizenship and a viable democracy. To ensure provision
of quality services, government agencies, NGOs and youth need to work jointly
and inter-sectorally in support of youth friendly, family-centred care and
community based social services.
The
Berlin Commitment for Children of Europe and Central Asia and the UN Special
Session on Children
In
an unprecedented effort to improve the lives of children in Europe and Central
Asia, 52 delegates from European and Central Asian countries gathered in Berlin
on May 16-18 2001, to forge a new agenda for children for the coming decade.
Goals and targets for the further development of child-friendly policies have
been outlined in a declaration “ The Berlin Commitment”, focusing on issues
of poverty and social exclusion, violence and abuse, health and environment,
education and children’s participation in decisions that affect their lives.
It is an important step for the region as it prepares for the UN General
Assembly Special Session on Children, which will be held on 19-21 September
2001, in New York. Government leaders, Heads of States, NGOs children advocates
and children themselves will attend the Special Session on Children, and work
toward an agreement on the critical actions that will be taken over the next
decade on behalf of children.
The
Global Movement for Children and The
Say Yes For Children Campaign aim to encourage and inspire every individual
and every organisation to invest in children by doing all they can for and with
them. The call of the Global Movement for
Children is to change the world with
children; to listen to children, to reach out to them and to enable them to
participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. The Global Movement seeks to influence the commitments made by world
leaders at the Special Session on Children and hold them accountable for the
agreements that they will reach. The Say
Yes for Children is a global pledge campaign through which adults and
children around the world are speaking out on 10 imperative actions necessary
for improving the lives of children. Leave
No Child Out is the first principle calling to end all forms of
discrimination and exclusion against children.
One
of the central activities of the WomenAid Child Rights & Well-being Centre
is to facilitate and encourage collaboration using the WomenAid Network Platform
Concept to encourage and maintain cross-sector inter-action and sustainable
dialogue between government, law enforcement bodies, human rights and child
& youth NGOs, media, and health and education professionals. The
issue-focused Network Platforms, Round Table Dialogues and publications
contribute to policy reform, gender sensitive development and support
empowerment of women and children goals by creating the connecting link at
national, regional and international levels on critical issues involving or
concerning women and children. The Child Rights &
Well-Being Centre is a WomenAid International ‘Children of the World
Initiative.’
Children
and Youth Parliament Georgia
The
Children and Youth parliament of Georgia was elected in the year 2000 for two
years. The Parliament is the first and biggest forum for children and youth in
Georgia. There are 166 deputes from every region of Georgia represented in the
Parliament. The purpose of the Parliament is active youth participation in
building civil society, familiarising youth with democratic institutions,
incorporating the participation of youth in state youth policy, and developing
and supporting awareness among young people about parliamentary affairs. The
Children and Youth parliament assists children and youth in solving their
problems and defending their rights, supporting circulation of the CRC in the
whole of Georgia, and working on the development of a law on self-authorities in
schools. The Parliament organizes activities such as conferences, concerts,
regional meetings, charity activities, and co-operates with NGO’s, working on
children and youth issues.
For
more information please contact:
WomenAid International-Caucasus
Tel/Fax: (995 32) 37 92 70 or E-mail: waigeo@access.sanet.ge
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