More than 8% of Romanian Children have parents working abroadA public debate to look at ways and means to help vulnerable children affected by their parent’s migration was convened by UNICEF in Bucharest on Wednesday, April 16th 2008. The debate, moderated by well known TV anchor Andreea Esca, centred on the findings of national research done by the Gallup Organization Romania for UNICEF on “Home Alone” children. The results of two other studies on the same issue conducted by the SOROS Foundation and Save the Children Romania were also considered. “Migration is a fact of life and includes hidden issues that this report highlights. Therefore it might serve as a base and inspiration for other studies within the region, in countries where this type of research will and should be carried-out in the near future” underlined Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for CEE/CIS in her opening remarks. “Parents must have access to information about the potential impact on their children so they can take more informed decisions and must have access to adequate community based services if deciding to migrate without their children”. Alexandru Toth, Research Director at The Gallup Organization Romania which carried out the research between April and October 2007 explained that the study “is centred on vulnerable groups, which the attention of both public and private institutions in the field of child rights protection should be focused on”. The study aimed at measuring the scale of the phenomenon as well as its geographical spread. It identified the causes and consequences of parents’ migration on children and analysed the legal framework and the practices of the bodies working to protect the rights of the child. The study also assessed public perception and the way the issue is echoed by the mass-media. For the first time, estimates are now available at national level and for children of all ages. The estimated number of children in Romania affected by their parents’ migration at the time of research was about 350.000 of whom 126.000 are affected by the migration abroad of both parents, and half of them are less than 10 years old. 16% of children with both parents abroad spent more than a year without them, while 3% had to live parentless for over four years. “The National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child will continue to act as a binder between the institutions with roles and responsibilities in the field of child rights protection … this will impact on building community services for all vulnerable children, including those with migrant parents …. The role of local authorities, of the school and other institutions is essential and should be reinforced with awareness-raising of local politicians and the development of financial and human resources”, said Gabriella Tonk, Under State Secretary National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child. The migration of both parents, especially in the case of younger children, together with the poor socio-economic background of the family and community are probably the main factors which lead to vulnerability and exposure to higher risks. The risk of vulnerability is also higher if:
The conclusions of the research are meant to guide and support the steps national authorities have already initiated in the field. Data presented in this research together with data from other sources also provides a basis for the Government to elaborate pertinent social policies in the field of child protection. This includes improvement of the legal framework and field practices as well as the development of community services for children with migrant parents. The study went on to recommend:
Two messages emerged strongly from the debate. One for the parents: “You should stay near your child even if you are far away”; and one for the authorities: “It’s important to find the right mechanism to help these children”. The event which took place at the headquarters of Provident Financial was attended by Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for CEE/CIS, Edmond McLoughney, UNICEF Representative in Romania, Mrs. Gabriella Tonk, Under State Secretary, National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, The Ministry of Interior and Adminsitrative Reform – Institute for Research and Prevention of Criminality, and officials from local authorities and NGOs (Alternative Sociale Iasi, Soros Foundation Romania, Save the Children Romania, Pro Child Nongovernmental Organizations Federation). For more information: Codruta Hedesiu, Communication Officer, UNICEF Romania, e-mail: chedesiu@unicef.org, tel. 201 78 64, Raluca Dinu, Account Manager, Media Pozitiv, e-mail: raluca.dinu@mediapozitiv.com, tel. 031 10 235 10. About UNICEF Romania UNICEF is on the ground in Romania, and over 150 other countries and territories, to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
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