Children First, Spring 2006: … A Very Big Team

The Government of Turkey’s new child protection project, begun in August 2005, was officially launched on the 20th January 2006 at the Hilton Hotel in Ankara. Towards Good Governance, Justice and Protection for Children in Turkey or Children First, as it is known by its shorter title, will see the beginning of a change in child care and protection in Turkey where the rights of all boys and girls — especially the most disadvantaged — will be upheld.

Children First is a broad ranging, multi–sectoral project involving the Government, the European Commission, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), various NGOs, children and parents.

The unprecedented scope of partners in Children First was reflected by the attendance of Abdülkadir Aksu, Minister of Interior; State Minister Nimet Çubukçu; Ambassador Hansjörg Kretschmer, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Turkey; Edmond McLoughney, UNICEF Representative in Turkey; Professor Nejat Birinci, Undersecretary of MONE; İsmail Barış, General Director of SHÇEK and Judge Ekrem Bakır, Deputy General Director of Prisons, Reformatories and Detention Centres — all of whom delivered keynote speeches introducing the project. The launch was also attended by Head of the Turkish Bar Association, Özdemir Özok as well as various government agencies, NGOs and academics.

Minister of Interior, Abdülkadir Aksu welcomed the inception of Children First, saying that:

It is the responsibility of both the state and its various ministries working closely together with NGOs and other concerned agencies, and of course the families themselves to protect all children and to ensure that they have access to education, good health care, nourishment and a protective environment.

In the words of State Minister Nimet Çubukçu:

We are a very very big team, working together for a common cause — the best of all causes — a better future for children and their families everywhere in Turkey which is without a doubt the best possible future for Turkey herself.

Commenting from the perspective of the European Union’s core values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, Hansjörg Kretschmer expressed his hope that:

Children First would help bring legislation in Turkey closer to EU policy on child care and protection and the standards of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Mr Kretschmer stressed that:

Respect for children’s rights means protection from abuse and exploitation everywhere

Speaking on UNICEF’s technical involvement in Children First, Edmond McLoughney said that the project would increase opportunities for children everywhere in Turkey by improving policies and programmes, improving systems of care and protection and addressing issues of abuse and neglect which no child should experience. Mr McLoughney highlighted the project’s focus on reducing disparity both within the family and the country as a whole, saying that:

Every individual in Turkey should have the opportunity to be healthy, well nourished, well educated, protected, living in a nurturing family environment and able to participate in community and family life.

On behalf of MONE, Professor Nejat Birinci underlined the educational focus of Children First, noting that Education is the first step towards developing our gifts and talents as individuals; and proceeded to stress that:

Our role as parents is essential to our children’s future happiness and productivity and that we should imbue them with the love for knowledge that only the example of our patient understanding and faith in their ability as individuals can achieve.

Speaking of the objective of Children First to reduce institutionalisation of children without parental care, General Director of SHÇEK, İsmail Barış made the point that:

We are including every child in Turkey with Children First — whether they are living with their families, in institutions or on the streets of our towns and cities — and we aim to protect them from violence and abuse both on the street and wherever they may live and also to prepare them physically and psychologically for a better future.

Children First is a real first for Turkey and her children.

Speaking for the justice system, Judge Ekrem Bakır observed that:

The judicial system can only benefit by a comprehensive understanding of those it judges and that we should relish the prospect of a judiciary that is better equipped with the necessary tools to respect the child’s lack of maturity when he or she comes into contact with the law and to make allowances as such.

In a vehement speech advocating for a more rounded understanding of children’s rights, Judge Bakır pointed to the fact that:

Only by protecting the child’s rights as an individual from birth can society effectively reduce the likelihood that the child will not come into contact with the law and take practical steps to avoid the possibility.

Pop star Doğuş, an ardent advocate of children’s issues especially children living and/or working on the street, said that:

I believe that any issue concerning any child is important and I am here to support this endeavour to the very end. Today marks an important start for children in Turkey. I’m deeply moved by the participation of the various ministries and agencies such as UNICEF in this event and I hope that we can make just as good a finish in the end and make a real difference for children in Turkey — whatever their situation, whether they be rich or poor.

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Download the Children First Bulletin, Spring 2006 edition, in pdf format. [PDF 1.24MB]

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