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AWARENESS-RAISING SEMINARS WITH YOUTH
in
the context of the Universal Children's Day[1]
November
20, 2006
In the
context of the Universal Children's Day and in the
context of the anniversary of the Convention "For
Children's Rights," the Albanian Helsinki Committee
organized on November 20, 2006, three seminars with high
school and eight-year school students in the districts
of Korçë, Fier dhe Vlorë.
The
purpose of the seminars was to inform and sensitize
youth better about their rights and encourage youth
participation in joint initiatives aimed at respect for
their rights in all environments where they live and
learn.
Following an informative overview of AHC activity for
the protection of citizens' rights in general and
juveniles in particular, of the work of the AHC
correspondent in the respective district, and of the
objectives of the project "Respecting children's rights
– an obligation for all," experts[2]
addressed children's rights according to Albanian
legislation, rights of juveniles as perpetrators of
criminal offences, juveniles as victims of crime, and
the rights of a juvenile witness in a criminal offense.
Issues
dealing with the treatment of juveniles by police as
well as violence against children at home and at school
were addressed with a high level of interest. During the
seminar, participants asked numerous questions related
to problems of concern to them at school and at places
where they live and learn.
The
above activities were also a tool to present the main
conclusions emerging from the study of court decisions
on juveniles, issued by courts in the respective
district during 2005 and the first half of 2006.
Participating in the seminars were students of high
schools and eight-year schools, teachers, local civil
society representatives of the districts, the youth
parliament, correspondents, invited experts, and AHC
staff. The participating youth, teachers, and other
participants praised the seminars.
AHC
also donated a set of publications in the area of
children's rights to the schools “Jani Minga” in Vlorë,
the non-public school “Flatrat e dijes” in Fier, and
“Tefta Tashko” in Korçë to enrich the libraries of the
respective schools.
[1] The events
were held in the context of the project "Respect
for the highest interest of the child – an
obligation for all," supported by the SOROS
Foundation and CORDAID. AHC wishes to thank
CORDAID for its financial support for these
events.
[2]
The Albanian Helsinki Committee wishes to thank
Ms. Vezire Dushi, Ms. Nereida Binaj, and
Mr. Artur Brahimllari as well as its
correspondents in Fier, Korçë, and Vlorë for
their contribution to holding these events.
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