Albania, Kosovo The observation report on street children is released

Project : MARIO 4 Feb 2011 | begging street activities child exploitation forced begging migration transnational

In both Albania and Kosovo, the issue of unsafe child migration and trafficking persists. The cross-border migration of children from Albania to Kosovo is not a new phenomenon but there was a lack of documentation of the phenomenon.

In close consultation, MARIO partners (Save the Children in Albania; Terre des hommes in Albania and in Kosovo) agreed to organize a transnational work to understand the situation of the children moving from one country to the other (Albania to Kosovo, and vice-versa). An ad hoc investigation unit was established, composed of one social worker of each Tdh delegation and one social worker from the Centre for Children living and working in the street (Save the children in Albania) all trained on investigative street observation through the MARIO project.

The aim of this transnational cooperation is the collection and analysis of data corresponding to the cross-border migration of children from one country to another. This will allow for a clearer evaluation of the number of children in both countries, the path of the child, trends, modes of recruitment for exploitation purposes, etc. It will also provide a rapid assessment of the immediate needs of these children and the challenges they face.

A better understanding of this phenomenon will enable to prepare concrete recommendations in order to protect children on the move in their best interest, especially concerning transnational cooperation between child protection stakeholders in both countries.

A detailed report with figures, findings and issues to be addressed was prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders both in Albania and Kosovo. Common meetings between relevant state institutions from both countries will be organized in order to come up with clear action plans and concrete proposals for reform on the legal and social framework. This activity has been postponed due to unstable political situation in Albania. [SC]

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