Tirana Regional Council, the Municipality of Tirana, Observatory and CRCA Albania in partnership with UNICEF organized a workshop on the topic “Access of Roma children in early childhood services” .
Present at the event was Vice President of the Regional Council of Tirana , Ms . Bora Panajoti , which stressed the importance of such meetings for the rights of children .
In her speech, Ms. Panajoti underlined the fact that the bridges established between local government and organizations that lobby for human rights are a good start point and promising to carry out mission in the services of citizens.
“In order of a peaceful life people need skills that are not acquired automatically, but must be learned and practiced from an early age. In this context are very important services in the field of early childhood education” – she said.
According to Ms. Panajoti, especially to the minority groups, education is a necessary, to help them to become more active participants in society. For this reason – she said- it is necessary to improve the integration of children into the education system, particularly the integration of Roma children .
“In terms of the strategy for monitoring the rights of children in Tirana region, it is the duty of local and regional authorities to:
- Monitor and strengthen the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation to ensure equal access for all children in public places, to professional training, education , shelter , cultural and other activities of life.
- to promote inter-religious dialogue , multicultural , anti – racist education and
Education against discrimination as part of the curriculum of educational program.
Related to this problem, it is the duty of regional and local authorities to actively promote human rights and measures to respond to discrimination against minorities and other population groups that may suffer discrimination ; supporting the development of multicultural communities through the integration of children belonging to minorities, considering their different lifestyles , needs, customs, culture etc.
In conclusion, Ms. Panajoti emphasized the commitment of Tirana Regional Council in supporting any initiative that serves to integrate and fight discrimination against ethnic and minority children of our society. She also added that: “We believe that change must begin from us. Therefore let us make a promise to ourselves and each other. Let us become architects of a non-discriminatory society, a non-racist one, a society that seeks social and economic cohesion,” concluded her speech Vice President of Tirana Regional Council.
