Press releases
The 20th Anniversary of the Rights of the Child The EU Special Representative Mr. Pieter Faith, the ECLO Charge d'affaires, a.i. Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson, UNICEF's Head of Office Mr. Johannes Wedenig and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Mr. Agim Hysenil handed over certificates and awards for the three best prizes in essay writing for each three school levels, and for the three best prizes in drawing for each three school levels. The three first prize winners read the essays and drawings were exhibited. A children's rights graffiti was designed by children and displayed at the basketball playground. Endorsement of the Strategy and Action Plan on Children’s Rights UNICEF commended the Kosovo authorities for the endorsement of the Strategy and Action Plan on Children’s Rights 2009-2013. The Strategy and Action Plan on Children’s Rights is an important achievement which shows the commitment of the Kosovo authorities and civil society to achieve progress for children. The Strategy and Action Plan represent one of the most important overarching documents for the development and wellbeing of children. The Strategy and Action Plan also tackle the issue of governance for children and appropriate budgetary allocations. UNICEF reassures its commitment to mobilise resources and create sustainable alliances with UN sister Agencies present in Kosovo, the European Institutions, civil society and children themselves so that every child in Kosovo reaps the benefit of this Strategy and Action Plan.
Speaking at the workshop, the Head of UNICEF Office, Mr. Johannes Wedenig said ‘It’s important to highlight that this assessment is for you as a community to follow up on; despite the difficult situation in Mitrovica, you, as a community, including local authorities, teachers, parents and young people, have different responsibilities and roles to play in ensuring all children in your region have the opportunity to grow up in a protective environment. There are lots of challenges to be overcome in fulfilling children’s right to protection, as the assessment shows, but there are also a lot of opportunities that we can build on together’ Prishtinë/Pristina – WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA publish a report with the latest findings on psychoactive substance use. The report analyses the level of psychoactive substance use with youth, injecting drug users and prisoners. The aim of the report is to document the situation on psychoactive substance use in Kosovo and to provide recommendations which should be taken into consideration when designing evidence-based interventions and programmes at the institutional and community level. Children discuss the Kosovo Strategy and Action Plan with the Kosovo Government senior officials Pristhine/Pristina, 1st of June – 1st of June is celebrated as children’s day in Kosovo. Many activities with and for children take place, which give the opportunity to children to express themselves through arts, sports and cultural activities. This year, UNICEF supported the Kosovo Youth Council to mark the children’s day, by organising a consultation between children and young people on one hand, and the Government senior officials on the other. The aim of the consultation was to create an opportunity for children to raise their voices on issues that affect their health and development.
Data on Antenatal Care in Kosovo Prishtine/Pristina, 14 May 2009- UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health launched a report on Antenatal Care Services in Kosovo - Quality and Access
This study brings to light many interesting arguments like the significant number of women (over 60%) starts to use antenatal care services from the fourth month. Number of the antenatal visits during the whole pregnancy period in 78.1% of the cases was equal to or more than 4 antenatal visits.
UNICEF, the Ministry of Interior, and Prism Resarch company launched the report ‘Every child counts – Birth registration in Kosovo.’ Birth registration is the permanent and official administrative state record of a child’s existence and is fundamental to the realization of children’s rights and practical needs. Securing children’s right to be registered will allow them to get a passport, open a bank account, obtain credit, vote and find employment. Compared to Central and South Eastern Europe, Kosovo has a low birth registration rate. The report gives evidence of ethnic disparities with the highest rate of non-registration by members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities who are most likely to not register their children, followed by Albanians and Turk communities.
Job Creation Opportunities for Rural Women
UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), the Agency for Gender Equality at the Prime Ministers Office and Women's NGO's launch the report 'Getting to Lisbon - Assessing vocational training needs and job creation opportunities for rural women'. The report takes a hard look at the causes for high drop-out rates and low educational attainments among rural women and tries to identify obstacles to female employment in rural Kosovo.
Report on statistical data and education indicators in Kosovo launched
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) published the report on indicators and statistical data regarding pre-university education for 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07. The study is financed and supported by UNICEF Office in Kosovo. The report presents data and trends on the pre-primary, primary, upper and lower secondary education. On this occasion, Deputy Minister Hyseni, extended a special appreciation to UNICEF for the technical assistance provided to MEST.
HOLD MY HAND - Premiere of a feature film produced by young artists in Kosovo
The feature film on young drug users is produced by young artists and supported by UNICEF, the US Embassy, and the Swedish SIDA. UNICEF supported the initiative of a group of young artists at Prishtina Film to produce the film which aims to raise the awareness of the public on the issue of drug abuse. The young producers hope that the film Hold my Hand will be a call for more consciousness and action by the Kosovo society to tackle the issue of drug abuse and stop stigmatisation. Hold my Hand is addressing the relevant institutions which need to develop comprehensive programmes for prevention, treatment and care for drug users.
http://www.amadoren.com/index.html
UNICEF distributes text books for Roma children in the north of Kosovo
UNICEF distributed text book for 20 Roma primary school children in Leposavic school in the town of Leposavic, located in the northern part of Kosovo.
UNICEF Deputy Head Ms. Tania Goldner said, This is a happy and a sad occasion at the same time. We are happy that children finally receive their books and they can continue to go to school. On the other hand it’s a sad moment, because it has been four months since the school year started and many of these children could have dropped out because families were not able to buy books for them.
The Student Councils’ Convention held for the second time
Secondary school students from all Kosovo municipalities met on Friday and elected the new membership of the Steering Committee of the Kosovo Student Council. Student Councils were established with the support of UNICEF in 2007, and it gathers representatives of 64 secondary schools all over Kosovo. The newly elected Steering Committee comprises of 32 members. Present at the general Convention were around 70 students. The deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) Mr. Agim Hyseni, the head of Student Councils Mr. Valon Kurhasani, UNICEF’s Project Officer Mr. Dren Rexha and the Organising Bureau of European School Students’ Unions (OBESSU) coordinator for south-east Europe Ms. Deniza Bundalevska, addressed the students.
19 Novermber 2008, Prishtine/Pristina- On the eve of the 20 November, day of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF and the Kosovo Education Centre in a broader coalition with local institutions, non-governmental organisations, and children from different municipalities, organised the Children's Rights Fair.
Children, representatives of school Committees from different municipalities all over Kosovo, participated and presented their works and activities regarding the prevention of violence within their schools. Non – governmental organizations presented their activities and educational materials related to children’s rights. The presentations were followed by discussions on the achievements in the area of children’s rights in Kosovo and prevention of all forms of violence in schools.
The Minister of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEST) Mr. Enver Hoxhaj and the Head of UNICEF Office, Mr. Robert Fuderich addressed the children and the activists. Mr. Fuderich said ‘We are at a time when we are facing many challanges in the education system in Kosovo. We aim to bring all children back to school especially girls, kids from Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian communities; we owe much more to all those children with disabilities that have the right to education and to develop to their full potential; we have to remember children who are engaged in the worst forms of child labour; and victims of trafficking who have little chance to go back to a normal life. When children don’t feel safe at school, they are more likely to drop out. We have to create a friendly and protective environment for them to come back. The Fair and discussions were chaired by children.
The Fair was organized within the one-year project between Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) and KEC, supported by UNICEF, which includes all schools of Kosovo and its objective is to prevent violence in schools.
The breastfeeding week in Kosovo from 1-7 October 2008 Prishtinë/Pristina, 8 October 2008 – The UNICEF Office in Kosovo in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MoH) held a workshop to close the breastfeeding week in Kosovo with a slogan ‘Join the Breastfeeding Week to reduce child mortality and offer the best start in life for every child in Kosovo!’ The one week campaign started on 1 October and lasted until 7 October 2008. JUVENILE CRIME IN KOSOVO ON THE RISE PRISTINA, 04 2008 – Declaring “Justice for Children,” UNICEF and partners today launch a report about juvenile crime and children in the justice system. A Kosovo-wide campaign is also launched to educate the general public on the rights of children who come into conflict with the law. The report reveals that juvenile crime in Kosovo is significantly higher than in some countries of the western Balkans but is relatively lower than juvenile crime in western European countries. However, according to the police records, the number of juveniles suspected of crimes has doubled from 2005 - 2007. Data from the same source show that from 2005-2006, the number of children suspected of crimes was 2,369, while from 2006-20007 it rose to 4,300. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL WOMEN UNICEF held a workshop on Wednesday, 13 February 2008 to discuss the challenges that Kosovo's women face due to high levels of illiteracy and lack of employable skills. The event aimed at discussing a recent study conducted by Kosovo Stability Initiative (IKS) and supported by UNICEF on creating job opportunities for rural women. It was aimed at key stakeholders and possible partners and donors. The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Enver Hoxhaj, attended the workshop in support of gender equality and women's education. SESAME WORKSHOP EXTENDS BEYOND TELEVISION TO REACH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN KOSOVO In a continued effort to reach thousands of children in Kosovo, Sesame Workshop and UNICEF, launched a new initiative to extend important messages around diversity and understanding. The organizations developed original Rruga Sesam/Ulica Sezam-themed story books, picture books and facilitator guides published in Albanian and Serbian, for distribution to children across the region. http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/reallives_1204.html JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN KOSOVO KICKS OFF The European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) and UNICEF jointly launch a 1,2 million Euro project to support the development of the juvenile justice system in Kosovo. Its goal is to establish a juvenile justice system in Kosovo based on children's rights and to promote a juvenile crime prevention programme. The project will help officials ensure that children's rights are respected in the justice system. UNICEF IN KOSOVO LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS On the 28th September the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) and UNICEF in Kosovo launched a study on " Violence against children in schools". Every day, violence invades the lives of millions of children. The MEST and UNICEF carried out research focusing on the prevalence of violence in schools. The research with children, parents and teachers found that violence against children is condoned. Corporal punishment is still an accepted practice in Kosovo's homes and schools. Children say they sometimes deserve it for bad behaviour or academic failure and parents and teachers say it is necessary, to make children behave and learn. Evidently, there is widespread belief that "there is no other way". THE SECOND CYCLE ON BETTER PARENTING COMMENCES IN KOSOVO Pristina 14 March, 2006– UNICEF and its partners launch the second cycle of the Better Parenting Campaign in Kosovo. The goal of the campaign is to equip parents with the necessary skills and knowledge to improve the health, growth and psycho-social development of children, to reduce child mortality rates, and to prevent childhood diseases. This is the second part of the Better Parenting Package, and is a follow-up to last year’s initiative. This package covers parents with children ages 3 to 6. The first part of this initiative, covered parents with infants up to age 3. The two sets of materials now offer scientific and evidence-based practices for parents until their children enter school. PRISTINA – Thursday, 9 February 2006 - UNMIK, WHO and UNICEF once again urge the Roma, Ashkaeli and Egyptian (RAE) IDPs to vacate the lead polluted camps in northern Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and Zvečan/Zveçan and move their families to the safer environment offered by UNMIK at Osterode Camp. This is an emergency requirement for the health safety of the IDPs and particularly their children. Pristina 8th of December 2005-Recent progress for Kosovo children in the fields of health, education, nutrition and protection will be reviewed with key actors from the Office of the Prime Minister and other branches of PISG, as well as UN agencies and civil society organizations in Pristina this week. UNICEF Publishes a Study on Trafficking in Children in Kosovo
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