QENDRA PER MBROJTJEN E TE DREJTAVE TE FEMIJEVE NE SHQIPERI Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania - CRCA www.crca.org.al Annual Report 2003 1
2 OUR MISSION STATEMENT The Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania works for the implementation of Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international standards concerning children and their rights. We work for - Protection of children s rights; - Child development; - To increase child participation at a local and national level. Kuçova
3 WHO WE ARE The Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania CRCA is a nongovernmental, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organisation with headquarters in the capital city, Tirana. CRCA was established in March 1997 in order to improve the situation of children s rights in Albania. CRCA is organised into two Boards. The Board of Directors has as a main priority the approval of new strategies, priorities, programmes and projects and the management of CRCA. The Board of Advisers is mainly a consultative body for the strategy, programmes and priorities of CRCA. The CRCA Board of Directors has seven members with great knowledge on children s rights issues. Since 2001 CRCA has started the process of establishing local CRCA offices in Albania in order to secure a better reporting, monitoring, and protection of children s rights in Albania. CRCA Organisational chart CRCA MEMBER'S COUNCIL BOARD OF ADVISERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IRCCRA CLPO CHILD LABOUR TRAINING MONITORING PARTICIPATION
4 CRCA VISION AND MOTIVATION The vision of CRCA on children s rights in Albania takes into consideration the general development of economical, political, social, and moral issues in the country, which directly affects children and their rights. The children in Albania are not only the future but also the present of the country. Without proper protection and development of children and their rights, the future of the country is unsecured. CRCA motivation is based on the phrase: Working together all of us can bring a prosperous world to children
PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES 2003 5
6 LIST OF CRCA PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES Information and Research Centre for Children s Rights in Albania. Child Legal Protection Office Stop Child Labour and Child Trafficking Programme CRC Training Programme Monitoring and Reporting Youth Employment Opportunities in Albania Child Advocacy and Awareness
7 INFORMATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE FOR CHILDREN S RIGHTS IN ALBANIA Funded and in partnership with: The Olof Palme International Centre Aims and Objectives Exchange of information from / to NGO s, governmental authorities, experts on children issues and children rights; Coordination of information between partners in order to facilitate the work of NGO s, INGO s and other institutions for children; Increase child participation in media and ensure their representation and respect by mass media in Albania; Strengthen the capacities of local NGO s on management issues and children rights. Provide facilities and administrative assistance to child-oriented NGO s and their members. Activities Daily coordination and exchange of Information. Preparation and distribution of Electronic Newsletter Help the Children ; Preparation and distribution of Children s Newspaper Children s Voice Preparation and distribution of Child-oriented NGO Database in Albania. Organisation of two training courses for child-oriented NGO representatives in Albania on organisational management (Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Project-proposal writing) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Carry out two researches on child abuse and children in police stations and pre-trial detention centres. Provide Facilities for NGO s and their members such as: a library, meeting room, Internet, printing and and photocopying services etc. Preparation and Publication of the Review For Children and Youth Rights in Albania (Issue 11-14) Preparation and publication of Children s Clubs Newsletter. Organisation of the monthly coordination meetings of NGO representatives.
8 INFORMATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE FOR CHILDREN S RIGHTS IN ALBANIA Funded and in partnership with: The Olof Palme International Centre Achievements IRCCRA is the only and the largest information and resource centre for children and children s rights in Albania. The Library, Internet services and other services offered by IRCCRA and CRCA, has made possible to children the application of their right to information and freedom of expression. IRCCRA has been assisting NGO s in their preparation of publications from children to children, and also child organisations activities has been included in the pages of the E-Newsletter. IRCCRA has been assisting more than 400 NGO s, INGO s, UN agencies and Governmental authorities in Albania with continuous information on child rights issues, activities and events on child rights in Albania and the world, funding possibilities, new partnerships etc.
INFORMATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE FOR CHILDREN S RIGHTS IN ALBANIA Funded and in partnership with: The Olof Palme International Centre Achievements Child participation and child rights to freedom of expression have been increased by providing tools and means of exercise such as the preparation of Newspaper Children s Voice by children and for children. The Capacities of NGO s and Governmental institutions in Albania have been strengthening on Management, Finance, Project proposal writing and children rights, from the training of twenty-three representatives of NGO s and Government. There is an increase of exchange of information among the partners, despite the fact that most of the NGO s and Governmental institutions they require further training on how to deal with information. IRCCRA is influencing the policies of the Albanian Government on children and their rights through provisions of information, exchange of research and data, policy papers, statements etc. The Information Centre is also influencing on the policies and programmes of the NGO s in Albania through the provisions of information on child rights situation in the country, gaps in programming and needs of Albanian children. Finally, IRCCRA is influencing the work and ethics of Media in Albania, since the centre has achieved a great degree of cooperation with the national media and IRCCRA is their contact point of information on children rights in the country. 9
10 INFORMATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE FOR CHILDREN S RIGHTS IN ALBANIA Funded and in partnership with: The Olof Palme International Centre Publications and Informing Materials
CRCA CHILD LEGAL PROTECTION OFFICE Funded by: Dutch Government and Defence for Children International Aims and Objectives To decrease the physical suffering and mental anguish of the children in Albania by providing free legal advice and representation to children whose rights have been violated. To empower the children in these countries by providing information and education on their legal rights. To raise awareness of parents and the community regarding the legal rights of the children in these countries. To strengthen the capacity of CRCA by facilitating information exchange among human rights organisations and other groups working with children. To train young professionals, including paralegals, lawyers, social workers and psychologists in the field of juvenile justice and child rights. Results o o o o o More than 30 children in conflict with law and children victims of crimes have been assisted with legal and psycho-social assistance free of charge by a team of barristers and social workers. Juveniles justice legislation reform initiated; 40 representatives of juvenile justice system in Tirana were trained on CRC and other juvenile justice documents; A Manual for Police Officers How to Deal with Children in Conflict with Law was prepared and published. The Albanian Government, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice have been made aware on the difficult conditions of children in juvenile justice system. 11
12 STOP CHILD LABOUR AND CHILD TRAFFICKING PROGRAMME Funded by: Olof Palme International Center, ECPAT Netherlands, Salvati Copiii and Global March Against Child Labour Aims The main aims of this new programme of CRCA were: Progressive elimination of child labour in Albania; Provide non-formal education, leisure activities and psychosocial assistance to child labourers, children victims of trafficking and children who drop out of school; Strengthen the capacities of governmental authorities and non-governmental organisations at national level to fight against child labour and child trafficking. Increase awareness among Albanian public, the Government and civil society at large on child labour and its worst forms. Activities - Children s Clubs Against Child Labour in Tirana (2), Korça, Kuçova and Shkodra. - Public Awareness Campaign; - Training Courses on Child Labour and its worst forms for the Albanian Government and NGO s; - Two researches on Child Trafficking in Albania and Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes.
Achievements STOP CHILD LABOUR AND CHILD TRAFFICKING PROGRAMME Five Children s Clubs Against Child Labour have been established in five Albanian districts (Tirana, Shkodra, Korca and Kucova) More than 1200 children have been prevented from entering in the formal and non-formal labour market; Children s protests under the slogan Stop Child Labour were organised nationally. More than 1000 families have been informed about labour and social provisions; More than 80 senior officials of local and central government and NGO s have been trained and are able to fight against child labour and child trafficking in Albania; Child participation has increased dramatically in the schools where the programme has been implemented; More than three issues of Children s Clubs Newsletter have been prepared by child labourers. More than 500 thousand members of public have been made aware about child labour and the negative aspects of it. 13
CRC TRAINING PROGRAMME Financed by: European Commission, Soros Foundation Tirana and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights The CRC training program has started in 1998 and the main aim has been to strengthen the capacities of the Governmental and nongovernmental structures for the protection of children rights. During 2003 the following training were organised: 16 Training Courses in Tirana on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for the Tirana Police Authority, Municipality of Tirana, Educational Authority, NGO s, Media, Children etc; 6 Training Courses for Justice System in Albania (Judges, Prosecutors and Barristers) including local NGO s in Korca, Shkodra, Vlora, Durres and Peshkopi. CRC Training Courses for children and teachers in six districts of Kosova in partnership with World Vision Kosove. Two training courses for Human Rights Treaty Reporting. 14
CRC TRAINING PROGRAMME Financed by: European Commission, Soros Foundation Tirana and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Achievements More than 10 senior police staff and 40 police officers of Tirana Police Authority were trained on CRC and Juvenile Justice. More than 190 representatives of Municipality of Tirana, Educational Authority, NGO s, Media and Children have been trained on CRC application. More than 120 judges, prosecutors, barristers and NGO s representatives have been trained on the Convention on the Rights of the Child of UN and juvenile justice. The level of knowledge on CRC and children s rights by the government and NGO s has increased; More than 600 children and teachers in Kosova have been trained on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Child Abuse, Peace and Tolerance and other child rights issues. The application of CRC and protection of children rights has increased. A Network of Experts on Child Rights has been established and works for the protection of children rights in Albania. 15
16 CRC TRAINING IN KOSOVO In partnership with: World Vision Kosovo The Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania apart from its CRC Training Programme has been assisting other partners and international NGO s in organising CRC and Child Abuse Training in Kosova. During summer / winter 2003 CRCA and World Vision agreed to provide five CRC training courses for teachers and five others for children in the area of Prizren and Theranda. More than 150 teachers and 150 children were trained on children rights by the CRCA training team. Because of the success of the training, CRCA and World Vision in Kosovo agreed to organise further training, but this time on child abuse. More than 150 children and 150 teachers participated in the Training. Children came not only from the Albanian majority, but also from other minorities such as Serbian, Roma and Turkish ones.
MONITORING AND REPORTING This programme was focused: Monitoring the situation of child labour and child trafficking throughout the country; Monitoring the situation of Roma children and provide the governmental authorities with suggestions on how to improve the situation of Roma children in the country; Monitoring of the situation of juvenile justice, including children in police stations, prisons and pre-trial detention centres. Monitor the exercise of the child right to education and advocate for the elimination of drop-outs of children in Albania. CRCA experts have monitored the situation of children in several districts of Albania and most of the data collected have been used for the update of the CRCA national reports such as: The Vicious Circle, The Forgotten Children, Awaiting Trial, Juveniles in Albanian Prisons, The Victims of Truancy etc. 17
18 YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ALBANIA Funded by: GTZ and German Education and Training Aim Identification and documentation and of Effective Practices to improve the employment perspectives of marginalised young people in Albania Activities - Analysis of the existing strategies and instruments for the improvement of employment perspectives of young people based on the socioeconomical and gender framework. - A research was prepared on employment opportunities for poor and marginalised young people in Albania, by identifying and documenting effective practices of the Albanian Government, NGO s and private sector. - A national workshop on Youth Employment Opportunities was organised in order to present the research, effective practices and network programmes on youth employment and vocational training.
19 CHILD AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY Activities 1. A major awareness campaign was organised in one of the central squares of Tirana on the occasion of International Day of Tolerance. The activity was organised in partnership with the Municipality of Tirana and other Tirana based NGO s. More than 1000 children and young people participated in this event. 2. On the 14 th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRCA in partnership with the Municipality of Tirana and Tirana Educational Authority organised Children s Rights Day and NGO Fair at several schools of Tirana. More than 2000 children and 50 NGO s participated in the events. - Juvenile Justice Day was organised as an awareness process for Members of the Albanian Parliament, Government members, representatives of National Police Authority, Juvenile Justice institutions and national Media. More than 100 people participated in this event.
20 PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKING - During 2002 the Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania continued to be an important actor regionally since it became founding member or member of international or regional networks in Europe and South East Europe. This Networks include: - Defence for Children International, is a major network of organisations working on the rights of the child in the world. CRCA became an associate member of DCI and will promote the work of the organisation in Albania. - SEECRAN (South-East European Child Rights Action Network) in a new organisation based in Ljubljana, where CRCA is a founding member of this strong network of child rights organisation in region. CRCA also will promote the objectives and activities of SEECRAN in Albania through the National Coordinator and ACRN. - Albanian Children s Rights Network ACRN is the major network of child-oriented NGO s in Albania. CRCA is a founding member and the contact organisation for the network. Most of the meetings of the network were hold in the premises of CRCA - In the Balkan Human Rights Centre, CRCA is an active member of this network of human and child rights organisation, based in Bosnia. CRCA representatives have participated in many of the events and training organised by the network. - Monitoring Network for Children Rights in SEE and Baltic States is a non-formal network of child rights organisations with the main aim to increase the level of research and exchange of experiences between the partners. So far two regional reports have been prepared one on juvenile justice and the other one on child participation.
BUDGET AND FINANCES 21
22 BUDGET AND FINANCES The major donors of the Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania are various, and most of them are foreign governmental and non-governmental organisations, or national foundations working in Albania. The major donors during 2003 were: The Olof Palme International Center, Dutch Government, Defence for Children International, Soros Foundation in Albania, European Commission, ECPAT Netherlands, Salvati Copiii, UNHCHR, Global March Against Child Labour, GTZ Germany and German Education and Training. The Government of Albania does not fund NGO s, thus the Children s Human Rights Centre of Albania does not receive any financial aid from the Central or Local Authorities. This makes it difficult the funding of programmes related to children rights and social services, since most of the financial contributions have to come from foreign sources. CRCA does not undertake income generating activities. From 2003 CRCA programmes are audited and comply with national and international standards of auditing. 4% 1% IR CCRA CLPO 16% 4% 35% Child Labour and Trafficking CRC Training 21% 19% M onito ring and R eporting Y outh E m ploym ent A dvocacy
23 QENDRA PER MBROJTJEN E TE DREJTAVE TE FEMIJEVE NE SHQIPERI Adresa e zyres: Pallatet e Shallvareve, Vila mbrapa Fushave te Tenisit, Kati III, Tirane / Shqiperi Adresa postare: Kutia Postare 1738, Tirane / Shqiperi Tel / Fax: + 355 4 242264 E-mail: crca@adanet.com.al www.crca.org.al/ CHILDREN S HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE OF ALBANIA - CRCA Office address: Pallatet e Shallvareve, Vila mbrapa Fushave te Tenisit, Kati III, Tirane / Shqiperi Mail address: Kutia Postare 1738, Tirane / Shqiperi Tel / Fax: + 355 4 242264 E-mail: crca@adanet.com.al www.crca.org.al