Children speak out for their rights on Universal Children’s Day

Friday, November 24, 2017

On Universal Children’s Day, hundreds of Albanian youth shared their concerns and asked for their rights to be respected. 

In Kurbin, Albania, hundreds of children and youth marched through the main boulevard in form of a silent protest to raise awareness of the problems identified by them as lack of accountability and services in terms of children rights and social justice. Youth have pointed out a couple of issues such as: corruption in every sector of social, economic and political life, negligence of the government toward its citizens and their needs, lack of trust and fear to challenge local and central government’s decisions. In the march called “Vulnerability walk” children were holding posters with messages as: Protect Us! Don’t discriminate us! We need education! We need a youth center!

Kurbin, located in northern Albania, is known as a poor area, with high unemployment and many social problems. Youth said that they live in an environment, where the harsh mentality of “tough guy and the obedient good girl” has been in place for a long time.

Children declared that in their area 76 gambling places have been licensed in the past 20 years, but zero new books have been added in the city library and there is no youth center for them to spend time. Living in such environment many youth find themselves victims of drugs. According to the latest data collected by the National Agency for Child Rights Protection, World Vision and the municipality of Kurbin, 56 children work or beg in the street.

During the march, children were accompanied by the European Union Ambassador, Romana Vlahutin, who was profoundly touched by what children shared: “Albania has a lot of potential, but your dreams can only come true if you don’t leave Albania. You should stay here and with our support you will make this country what you dream for your future”.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Sport Youth, Besa Shahini, Deputy Mayor, Gezim Dika, the World Vision Director for Western Balkans, Eljona Boce Elmazi, and other important public figures in Albania.

After the march, the activity continued in the Cultural Centre, where children presented short videos that they created themselves to show the challenges they face, such as bullying, drugs, etc.

Brajan, one of the youth participating shared: “This isn’t the first time and it will not be the last one that we ask for our rights. I strongly believe, that if we raise our voice for what we deserve, it will come the day we will have it. I want to live in Albania and see my dreams come true here”.

The Deputy Mayor of Kurbin, Gezim Dika, promised that soon the children will have a youth center. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sport Youth, Besa Shahini, promised that youth in Albania will have 50 more schools which will work as community centers.