Media centre

The 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Tirana, 21 November 2009 – Twenty years ago, the world came together to say YES to children. While children have the same human rights as adults, leaders recognized that children need special protection and consideration.

Demographic and Health Survey (DHS)

Tirana, 5 October 2009 – Today, the Albanian Ministry of Health released the preliminary report of Albania’s first Demographic Health Survey.  Findings from the report provides up-to-date information on characteristics of households and population, migration, education, fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, reproductive health, child health, sexual behavior, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), breastfeeding practices, gender and violence in Albania.

The Child Led Environmental Education Initiative (CLEEN)

Tirana, 29 September 2009 - As part of a school program on environmental awareness and responsibility, endorsed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Environment, in 250 Albanian schools, children are learning new approaches on how to protect and make the environment cleaner, healthier and more pleasant to live in. The more children know about and appreciate the environment, the more likely they are to protect it.

Observatories for Child Rights

Tirana, 6 May 2009 -  Observatories for Child Rights established in six regions of Albania (Kukes, Peshkopi, Shkoder, Durres, Elbasan, Korca) set up the bases for a scientific research mechanism on collecting data from Health, Education and Social Protection departments at regional and local level.

A National Child Help Line for the Children of Albania 

Tirana, 26 March 2009 - A child Help line for all Albanian Children will be offered for the first time. It will be available to answer the children's needs, and to voice their concerns. The child helpline will be accessible to children and young people around the clock, free of cost and enable them to get competent assistance in any emergency situation.

National youth opinion poll, titled "Albania Young Voices"

Tirana, 20 February 2009 - The second national youth opinion poll, titled "Albania Young Voices" which reflects the views of Albanian children from 9 to 17 years, provides an unusual look into the thoughts and feelings of Albanian young people, their perception about the present and future of the country.

Data collection for the Albanian Demographic Health Survey (DHS) 

Tirana, 31 October 2008 -- Data collection for the Albanian Demographic Health Survey (DHS) will begin on 3 November 2008.  This is the first time that the Demographic and Health Survey will be implemented in Albania, and it is expected that it will improve the knowledge base on children and women and provide decision makers with data for informed policy action.

AC Milan raises aid for UNICEF in Albania with football friends
Tirana, 14 October 2008 --  Italian football legend, AC Milan, teamed up in an exhibition game with K.F. Tirana at Qemal Stafa Stadium in support of Albania Reads an initiative that supports the establishment of libraries in public schools and a movement that promotes the culture of reading among school children. Thanks to the contribution by AC Milan, UNICEF and partners have committed to opening libraries in an additional 100 schools.

Cold chain supplies to improve national immunization programme in Albania

Tirana, 1 May 2008 -- UNICEF in Albania announced today its support to expand capacities of the public health system to immunize thousands of children and women from preventable diseases.

New law on salt iodisation drafted in Albania

Tirana, 28 February 2008 -- A new law to improve the availability of iodised salt for consumers has been drafted in Albania.

Empower Women to Help Children

Tirana, 18 January 2008 -- Eliminating gender discrimination and empowering women will have a profound and positive impact on the survival and well-being of children, according to a new presidential report issued today in Tirana. The report was conducted in the context of a UNICEF’s global report State of the World’s Children 2007:  "Women and Children, the Double Dividend of Gender Equality". This publication focuses this year on critical gender issues, highlighting in particular the impact of gender on poverty, discrimination and inequality against women, with concomitant consequences on Albanian families and children.

Children -led environmental actions in Albania

Tirana, 11 December 2007 -- The Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management, the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and UNICEF are joining forces to implement the “Child-Led Environmental Education Initiative” (CLEEN) project which will focus on equipping primary school children with knowledge and skills to take action to preserve, conserve and protect the environment.

Children and young people convey their views to the Mayor of Tirana Municipality on the occasion of the  Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Tirana, 20 November 2007 -- A book published by a group of young people called “The city we want” was launched today on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Children’s TV show in Albania scoops international award

Tirana, 9 July 2007 -- "Straight Talk", the television programme that gives Albanian youngsters a platform for their stories and opinions, has been specially commended in a prestigious international media awards ceremony.

Breastfeeding: A simple way to save young lives

Tirana, 2 July 2007 -- Several reports released by WHO/UNICEF have shown that a child who is breastfed is almost three times more likely to survive infancy than a child who is not breastfed. In support of this, a sub-regional training course on the “Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes” will take place in Tirana from 2 to 6 July, 2007 at Hotel Tirana.

Each school a library

Tirana, 19 December 2006 -- Enhancing the reading skils of children in Albania and promoting the culture of reading is the aim of the Albania Reads initiative launched today at Bajram Curri School in Tirana.

Role of elected officials key to protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation

Tirana, 25 October 2006 -- The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Mrs. Josefina Topalli and UNICEF launched two recently published and translated handbooks: Combating Child Trafficking and Child Protection. 

Violence and its impact on children

Tirana, 12 October 2006 -- For the first time Albania attempts to document the reality of violence against children and to map out what is being done to stop it. The report, "Violence against Children in Albania" has been conducted in the context of a global study on violence against children under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General.

Children Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Out of Reach

Tirana, 25 May 2006 -- Children suffering from social exclusion and discrimination and have become virtually invisible in Albania, UNICEF said today in a report that explores the root causes of exclusion in Albania.

Government of Albania and UNICEF sign the Agreement of Country Programme of Cooperation 2006-2010

Tirana, 24 March 2006 -- Today, the Government of Albania and UNICEF signed the AGreement of Country Programme of Cooperation for the period 2006-2010. The event was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and included the International Organizations Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affair and the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

Empowerment of Community Responses to Child Trafficking

Tirana, 16 March 2006 -- In the framework of the UNICEF – supported project “Empowerment of Community Responses to Child Trafficking” this week, a mobile theatre troupe of professional actors from Kukes will be performing 10 comedy shows in Bathore and other peri-urban areas of Tirana and Durres to raise awareness about protection from exploitation and abuse.

Free, confidential health and counseling services for youth open in Elbasan and Korça

Tirana, 1 July 2005 -- Two new centers offering services specially tailored for young people have opened in Elbasan and Korça, increasing to four the number of youth-friendly service centers opened in Albania since May 2003. The centers opened today which are an integrated part of the primary health care, offer a wide range of health and counseling services, providing a convenient place where young people can go for confidential services without facing embarrassment or stigma.

UNICEF, Government of Albania sign agreement for purchase of AIDS drugs

Tirana, 15 April 2005 -- Today the Ministry of Health and UNICEF signed an agreement of cooperation to purchase anti-retroviral drugs to treat 50 people living with HIV/AIDS in Albania. The Government has allocated $150,000 for anti-retroviral drugs and is funding 100 per cent of the purchase. The agreement will ease the process for purchasing the drugs through UNICEF Supply in Copenhagen, ensuring speedy delivery and high quality of drugs.

Inadequate prevention hinders fight against human trafficking

Tirana, 13 April 2005 -- Efforts to fight human trafficking in South Eastern Europe are dominated by repressive measures to prevent irregular migration, prostitution and organized crime, according to a new report. Long-term strategies to prevent trafficking by focusing on its root causes, including economic disparities, social exclusion, discrimination and weak protection systems, are rare.

Albania makes first presentation to UN Committee on The Rights of The Child

Tirana, 10 January 2005 -- On 12 January Albania will make its first presentation to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. The presentation follows submission of the country's first report to the Committee, which is responsible for making sure that nations fulfil their obligations after ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Albania ratified the Convention in 1992.

Childhood under threat from poverty, conflict, HIV/AIDS, says UNICEF

Tirana, 9 December 2004 -- Childhood is being undermined throughout the region and around the world by poverty, conflict and HIV/AIDS, according to The State of the World's Children 2005, UNICEF's annual report on global child conditions. Across the world and the Balkan region, there is a gulf between our ideal of what childhood should be - a time of safety - and the reality.

Youth-friendly services open at Tirana Student City 
Tirana, 18 May 2004 -- A centre offering services specially tailored for young people opened today at a place where they're most accessible to their target clients - at University of Tirana's Student City. The Youth-Friendly Services Centre offers a wide range of health and counseling services, providing a convenient place where young people can go for confidential services without facing embarrassment or stigma.
 
Judges, attorneys to be trained in domestic violence
Tirana, 12 December 2003 -- A total of 320 judges, prosecutors and attorneys nationwide will enhance their skills in family and domestic violence cases, thanks to collaboration between UNICEF, the Magistrates School and the Women's Advocacy Centre. The judicial authorities will take part in a training process that will seek ultimately to improve the quality of life and limit domestic violence.
 
Young generation, though shrunk 20% by migration, is a powerful force for change
Tirana, 5 December 2003 -- Migration has left behind a generation of youth 20% smaller than it was 12 years ago, and those young people are facing risks their parents never heard of. Yet they are a powerful and motivated force for moving Albania forward if the country taps into their potential. 
 
Albanian anti-trafficking activist wins international award
Tirana, 24 November 2003 --Vera Lesko, the founder of The Hearth of Vlora Women, has been awarded the prestigious Anti-Slavery Award for 2003. Ms Lesko won the award, conferred annually by Anti-Slavery International, for her unparalleled efforts on behalf of Albanian women and girls trafficked into sexual exploitation.
 
Domestic violence devastates lives of women and children, hinders Albania's development
Tirana, 17 September 2003 -- The hidden crime of domestic violence has devastating impacts on women and children and on Albania's development, according to the findings of a new study Domestic Violence in Albania: An Exploratory Study.
 
Albania begins production of iodized salt
Tirana, 6 June 2003 -- The first production of iodized salt in Albania began today with the inauguration of the iodization line at the Vlora Salt Factory.
 
Albania's first youth-friendly health centre opens in Vlora
Tirana, 16 May 2003 -- The first Youth-Friendly Services Center in Albania offering a wide range of health and counseling services opened today in Vlora, providing a place where young people can go for confidential services without facing embarrassment or stigma.
 
Coalition of government, civil society, UNICEF and donors agree on coordinated actions to fight trafficking
Tirana, 13 May 2003 -- An agreement on coordinated actions to fight child trafficking has been reached between the Government of Albania, a coalition of NGOs, UNICEF and donors.
 
UNICEF and IOM launch report on HIV/AIDS in Southeastern Europe
Tirana, 21 February 2003 -- Social upheaval has increased risk factors, but the epidemic is not getting enough attention.
 
Europe achieves historic milestone as region is declared polio free
Tirana, 21 June 2002 -- Albania has made significant contribution; recovering quickly from one of Europe's last outbreaks of the disease.
 
Children and young people project their future at the UN Special Session for Children
Tirana, 7 May 2002 -- Albanian delegation attends UN Special Session on Children--the first in which young people participate as equal partners in shaping their future.
 
Major new study highlights concerns for health policy makers
Tirana, 8 November 2001 -- National study indicates that in certain areas significant numbers of Albanian women are not accessing some important health services.
 
Youth opinion survey finds mixed results: almost half plan to emigrate; 2/3 see better future in Albania
Tirana, 13 July 2001 -- UNICEF, OSCE, Albanian Children's Alliance unveil window on young people's world; highlight urgent need for major actions on children.
 
Albanian Children's Alliance announces plan to collect 200,000 pledges of action for children
Tirana, 13 July 2001 -- "Say Yes for Children" campaign is part of a global effort to highlight situation of children in run-up to United Nations Special Session.
 
UNICEF, INSTAT study reveals infant death rate most likely higher than previously known
Tirana, 15 June 2001 -- First national child health /education survey using international standards marks major achievement.
 
Elections for the Youth Parliament held all over Albania
Tirana, 23 May 2001 -- Elections for Youth Parliament in the Prefectures of Tirana, Vlora, Korca and Kukes were held. About 35,000 young people participated and more that 60% of elected parliamentarians are girls.

20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child