1 / 2

On June 15 in the Tigran Mets Hall of the Armenia Marriott Hotel the three day Regional Parliamentary Conference of the Central and Eastern Europe on the theme “Making Child Rights a Reality for the Most Vulnerable Children,” which was organized by the RA National Assembly, UNICEF and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, began its work. 

During the meeting the issue of “Early Childhood Development (ECD): the First Response to Reduce the Social Vulnerability” was discussed. Ms. Emily Vargas-Baron, Director of the Institute for Reconstitution and International Security through Education (the RISE Institute), Dr. Patrice Engle, Professor at the Department of Psychology and Child Development, Cal Poly State University, explained how the contribution to the programs of Early Childhood promoted children’s full development and the reduction of vulnerability. The best examples of the ECD in the region were presented and the problems, which states were related to in further supporting the ECD programs, were mentioned.

Ms Maria Arapovna Aisina, Member of the Majilis of Kazakhstan, Member of the Committee for Social and Cultural Development, presented what initiatives could be implemented by the parliaments of different countries for showing stronger support to the ECD. It was noted how to execute budgetary allocations for the benefit of the most vulnerable children.

Mr. Nigel Cantwell, Independent Consultant on Child Protection, Mr. Gary Gamer, Executive Consultant/Researcher, and Ms. Valentina Stratan, Member of the Committee on Social Protection, Healthcare and Family of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, in their speeches touched upon the protection of children from violence, particularly, in early childhood. Special attention was also paid to the necessity of family care in children’s full development; the state responsibility for providing the existence of the relevant legal field protecting children against violence was emphasized.

Gagik Baghdasaryan, Member of Parliament, Mr Trond Waage, former Ombudsman for Children, Mr. David Ponet, UNICEF Parliamentary Specialist, turned to the parliamentary actions directed to the protection of children’s rights. The speakers presented the different mechanisms and tools existing under parliaments’ disposal directed to the boosting of the respect towards children’s rights, due development and protection from violence.

The conference will continue its work on June 16 in the Tigran Mets Hall of the Armenia Marriott Hotel.