“Seven neighbors are responsible as parents for raising children” as Uzbek proverb says
Responsibilities of not only the parents and neighbors but also the state for care of children without parental care were discussed during the seminar-training on “Ways of promotion of de-institutionalization in the Republic of Uzbekistan” which took place on February 28 –March 2, 2007 in Tashkent. The training was focused on the current situation of children without parental care and getting support of the directors of institutions for children for developing alternatives to institutionalisation. The seminar was organized with technical
Facts on children without parental care in Uzbekistan 20,812 children are in institutional care: support from UNICEF, under the leadership of Ministry of Public Education in collaboration with Cabinet of Ministers, and the “You are not alone” Fund. “Today is a time to recall our tradition to raise children without parental care in a home environment. It is not enough to give food and a safe place for children, they also need love and attention only a family can provide”, - said Ms. Tanzilya Norbaeva from the Cabinet of Ministers in her opening speech for the seminar training. Ms. Shahriyor Berdieva, Chief of the Department on Social Support and Rehabilitation of Children, MoPE, added: “To give the best future to our children, we have to strengthen our efforts on de-institutionalisation.” At the opening ceremony, Mr. Reza Hossaini, UNICEF Representative said: “UNICEF welcomes the year 2007 dedica ted to Social Protection by the President, and state programme developed by the government which covers activities related to child care reform and de-institutionalisation. UNICEF works towards the provision of a protective environment for all children including the ones who are without parental care and those with disabilities. Strengthening the protective environment for children requires many different levels of engagement- each of which demands dialogue, co-ordination and shared analysis.” The seminar training was yet another step in this kind of dialogue between the Government representatives, NGOs as well as 23 directors of “Mehribonlik” homes (state orphanages for children, age 3-18) and 14 directors of Baby homes (state orphanages for children, age 0-3). It gave the participants an opportunity to analyse current problems and discuss possible ways for their solution. “One solutions is to prepare educated social workers”,-said Ms. Diana Isaeva from Social Adaptation Centre. “Without social workers, we are unable to create an effective system of social protection of children. Now three universities in Uzbekistan h ave Social Work Departments and we will have the first professional social workers in 2008.”. Ms. Svetlana Rozmuhamedova, Director of “Mehribonlik” home #23 in Tashkent agreed with Diana and added :“We need not only social workers but also a new governmental social service mechanism which could really support and protect children without parental care.” At the closing, Ms. Galina Smirnova, Director of Education Centre under “You are not alone” Fund, summarised the recommendations of the seminar- training as follows:
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