Child protection in Armenia will be the topic of a conference dedicated to the International Children's Day on the 7th of June at Congress Hotel (10:30-16:30). The event is part of a project on reducing violence against children funded by the European Union and implemented by World Vision Armenia International Benevolent Organization. Under the theme “Reality and prospects,” the conference aims at improving cooperation between state and non-governmental organisations in the child protection area by providing a platform for dialogue between state officials and representatives of NGOs. Participants will discuss developments in the child protection area, the 2012-2016 RA Draft Strategy on Children's Rights, as well as the role of non-governmental organisations and their expectations from the government. Recommendations to the draft strategy will be then presented for further consideration. “It is premature to state that child rights are fully protected in Armenia. Reducing child abuse and promoting responsibility of respect for their rights are one of the priorities for World Vision. I hope that discussions on the New Draft Strategy as well as the input from NGOs in this process will contribute to the effective protection of child rights and legal interests in the country”, says Ms. Anahit Grigoryan, the World Vision Armenia Programme Manager. “Reducing Violence against Children in Armenia” is a project that aims at reducing violence and risk of violence towards children in Armenia's care structures. This three year project provides continuous support to government coordination (among Guardianship and Trusteeship Bodies, Family, Women and Child Protection Units and social service specialists) and plays the role of a catalyst in promoting national dialogue among the child protection 3-tier system actors. On the other hand, it supports introduction of legislative and policy amendment recommendations to the RA Family, Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, in order to align them with international child rights norms. The project has submitted a package of recommendations on the Family Code to the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues, as well as recommendations for the improvement of the domestic law within the Criminal Procedure Code to the Ministry of Justice. For more information, please contact: Gayane Makaryan, Project Adviser: gayane_makaryan@wvi.org.

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