The National Network for Children approved its strategic action plan for the period 2015-2020. The main priorities in the document are to position children and families in the center of the political and public life, to develop child and youth participation and to increase the members capacity within the organization.
This happened at the NNC’s annual meeting, which took place on 19th to 22nd June, 2014 in Sliven.
During the event, which lasted for 4 days, there were held Network’s General assembly, meetings of the thematic working groups – “Family”, “Education ”,“ Juvenile justice, “Health”, and trainings on different topics. The participants had the opportunity to join a forum of good practices of organizations – members, to visit local organizations and to get acquainted with their activities.
The National Network for Children’s Management board voted and approved the acceptance of three new members – “The Duke of Edinburgh’s international award – Bulgaria” foundation, performing programs focused on personal development of young people, “Tzvetan Tzanov” foundation, working on the violence prevention among children and “Hope for us” foundation, acting to support youths, living institutional care.
The special guests were Eva Jecheva, president of the State Agency for Child Protection, representatives from the Coalition for decentralization- Serbia and the Alliance of the organizations, working for children and families – Moldova.
Before the beginning of the annual meeting on 18th and 19th June, there was organized a forum for strategic planning for advocacy actions, focused on better policies for the children in the Roma community. The representatives, who work in the Roma community, discussed specific problems, which they face and the necessary steps needed for improvement in all aspects of the children welfare.
The main challenges, which were pointed are the extreme poverty, the lack of access to education, health and social services, the unemployment of youth and adults in general. What lies ahead is the development of a strategy for advocacy that is focused on changes in policies and practices, affecting the most vulnerable groups.
