“Albania has a unique opportunity to build on recent successes and consolidate its status as an upper-middle income country where all segments of society enjoy the benefits of development. A key part of this will be to make sure serious steps are taken to promote and protect the rights of every child in Albania. Every child, everywhere. A society cannot be equitable unless all children are included,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Afshan Khan
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
“Children must be at the core of policies and strategies to reduce poverty. Whether these relate to improving public spending on social services like health, education and social infrastructure, or better levels of social transfers to families with young children, or providing social support for families in crisis, children should occupy a central space in all considerations,” has said Ms. Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
In conclusion of her recent visit to Tirana the senior official of UNICEF, Khan told Albanian Daily News that she was leaving Albania with a sense of optimism for the future of children in the country, and reaffirmed UNICEF’s readiness to work with the government and all partners for that future.
Ms. Khan, who is based in Geneva, has been an international public servant for over 28 years.
“This was my first official visit to the country, during which I saw at firsthand UNICEF’s cooperation with the Government of Albania and other partners to have a positive impact on the lives of every child in Albania,” said Ms. Khan whose agenda included meetings with Speaker Gramoz Ruci and the “Friends of Children” parliamentary group. “Legislative bodies are key allies in advancing child rights. This is especially pertinent as the world commemorates the 30th anniversary this year of the adoption and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” she said.
According to her, it would be made sure that serious steps are taken to promote and protect the rights of every child in Albania. “Every child, everywhere. A society cannot be equitable unless all children are included,” said UNICEF’S Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Director Khan in the following interview:
- Ms. Khan, you recently finished a two-day visit to Albania. What were its highlights?
-This was my first official visit to the country, during which I saw at firsthand UNICEF’s cooperation with the Government of Albania and other partners to have a positive impact on the lives of every child in Albania. I was encouraged to see the investments being made by the government in health, nutrition, education, child protection and other areas affecting the wellbeing of children.
I was especially impressed by the leadership of Tirana’s Mayor, Mr. Erion Veliaj, who shared his vision and commitment behind the action plan for making Tirana fit for every child. We look forward to building on our partnership, with links to UNICEF’s Child – Friendly Cities initiative. A city that places the priority needs and voices of children at the core of its policies and decisions is so important.
I was honored to meet with the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Gramoz Ruci, and the “Friends of Children” parliamentary group. Legislative bodies are key allies in advancing child rights. This is especially pertinent as the world commemorates the 30th anniversary this year of the adoption and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
I visited a UNICEF-supported health center and interacted with mothers and children accessing services. With the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Bardhlyka Kospiri, we also visited children in residential care and talked about the work the Ministry is doing to make sure that wherever possible, children are provided by family-based and community-based care.
With the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Besa Shahini, I visited a school and was delighted to spend time with an energetic group of young children who have developed new e-tools to help their peers stay safe online.
I met the Minister of Justice, Mrs. Etilda Gjonaj, to learn more about the ministry’s work relating to legal and procedural guarantees, and transition to a restorative justice approach.
- What are your recommendations to the Government of Albania for further improving the situation of children?
- Albania has a unique opportunity to build on recent successes and consolidate its status as an upper-middle income country where all segments of society enjoy the benefits of development.
A key part of this will be to make sure serious steps are taken to promote and protect the rights of every child in Albania. Every child, everywhere. A society cannot be equitable unless all children are included.
In this regard, it is good to see that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has a strategy in place for providing alternative care for the most vulnerable children. Equally, the government’s adoption of the Law on Social Care Services to ensure that integrated services are available for vulnerable families and children is commendable.
- How can Albania make sure that no child is left behind?
- Children must be at the core of policies and strategies to reduce poverty. Whether these relate to improving public spending on social services like health, education and social infrastructure, or better levels of social transfers to families with young children, or providing social support for families in crisis, children should occupy a central space in all considerations.
Such work, of course, cannot be done in a vacuum. It requires focused partnerships involving the government, development partners, business leaders, academia, innovators, civil society, and children and young people themselves.
I concluded my visit with a sense of optimism for the future of children in Albania, and reaffirmed UNICEF’s readiness to work with the government and all our partners for that future. /ADN
