Kosovo, Bulgaria Kosovar and Bulgarian counterparts learn from each other

Project : MARIO 18 Oct 2011 | protection systems

Sofia, Bulgaria, 10–14 October, 2011: Different representatives of state institutions from Kosovo, working in the child protection field, had the chance to meet with their counterparts in Bulgaria to discuss child protection issues and to exchange experiences among each other on the structure, organization and functioning of the child protection system at both local and national levels, in their respective countries.

This visit was organized in the framework of the transnational activities among the partner countries implementing the regional project Mario, by Terre des hommes Kosovo and with the help of the hosting NGO, Neglected Children Society – ECPAT Bulgaria.

21 child protection professionals, social workers from 7 Centers for Social Works in Kosovo, representatives from Kosovo Police such as the Anti trafficking Unit, Domestic Violence Unit and Community Police Unit, representatives from the Probation Service Office, school psychologists and staff members of Terre des hommes in Kosovo participated in the study tour.

Significant meetings were organized with different counterpart institutions based in the cities of Sofia and Montana.

During all the meetings, the participants shared their experiences and best practices while also discussing in detail how they dealt with various cases of children at risk and the steps they followed until the successful reintegration of the child in the community. During the discussions both parties were introduced to some new elements of work with children to integrate into their daily work.

The visit was very successful and the Bulgarian institutions expressed their interest to visit back the Kosovo counterparts in order to learn more on the child protection system in Kosovo. [KV]