Sofia, February 19, 2016
The third meeting of Learning Action Partnership took place on February 19, 2016 in Sofia. The initiative represents a working group on project of BFPA "The Art to Inform. A network for reducing vulnerability of children for sexual exploitation and abusive practices”.
A team of professionals working on problems in NGO sector and state institutions gathered targeting its efforts for seeking working mechanisms to support vulnerable children and young people. Representatives of supporting the work organization – OAK Foundation, Demetra Association, UNICEF, Association Animus Foundation, Know How Center for Alternative Care for Children, National Network of Children, National Network of Health Mediators, Re-Act Society, Agapedia Foundation, Institute for Social Activities and Practices, a team of BFPA, State Agency for Child Protection and Regional Inspectorate for Education – Sofia took part.
„Nobody is interested in personal story of the child. Everyone cares of the documents the child is coming with” (Diana Videva, Demetra Association, Burgas).
„Children in institutions are becoming quite worried when to turn 18. They do not know what to do and who to ask for help if needed after being out of institutions” (Donka Petrova, Animus Association Foundation).
„There is no feedback in coordinating mechanism, including from children” (Ljuben Georgiev, Re-Act Society).
These were just a part of topics concerned at the meeting. It was also discussed about child marriages that are being recognized as ethno practices; about abuse non recognized in many cases as such by staff in institutions, about disadvantages of the mechanisms to follow cases of abuse, about the lack of law for guardianship and obstacles as a result for adequate care and solving of identified problems, about possibilities for primary, secondary and tertiary intervention.
Nadya Dedova from Animus Association Foundation presented an example of good practice on empowering women, victims of abuse, who succeeded to change their way of thinking and are able to cope with challenges in their life more efficiently.
Dr. Rada Stamenkova from BFPA defined main directions for potential efforts: the need of preventing work at place; perspectives for young people after turning 18; adding the topic in educational standards and improving the dialogue with state institutions.
The defined problems are complex and exist at different levels. It is foreseen to make the aims of the working group more concrete on the next meeting.
OAK Foundation supports seeking of decisions in the frame of partnership, in which we who are taking participation hope to have fruitful collaboration for a better perspective for young people at risk.
