Prishtina, 20 November 2024
Under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the subsequent meeting of the Interministerial Committee for Children’s Rights was held today, marking 20 November – World Children’s Day.
In his address to the members of the Interministerial Committee for Children’s Rights and other attendees at the meeting, Prime Minister Kurti stated that they are united today and every day in the conviction that investing in children is the right path toward building a sustainable future. ““Children are the foundation of life; therefore, our efforts are maximal, and our commitment meaningful, to raise healthy and educated generations,” he expressed.
For equality and equal opportunities, the Prime Minister emphasized that we are increasing support through social policies, ensuring that no one is left behind. Every child should grow up in a safe environment that enables them to fulfill their full potential.
The Prime Minister mentioned the development of new policies for children and families. The allocation of allowances for children for the first time since the post-war period. Maternity allowances as well. There has been a doubling and tripling of allowances for children and maternity benefits. We have established the employment measure “Government for Families,” and for children without parental care, we have increased the regular monthly payments. With the new Law on Social and Family Services, for the first time, we are enabling family-based accommodation for children and young people up to the age of 26.
For well-being and health, capital investments have been made in clinics, hospitals, and new specializations, including the transformation of four departments in the Gynecology Clinic and the provision of three new services, the renovation of the Psychiatry Clinic for children and adolescents, as well as the operationalization of the Pediatric Ward in Mitrovica. Through the program for visits to mothers and children and the vaccination of children according to the regular vaccination calendar, a total of 172,000 home visits have been conducted, including over 67,000 visits in 2024 alone. The Ministry of Health has equipped 30 municipalities with 30 vehicles for these visits.are used for these visits. Additionally, six Municipal Family Health Centers in major cities have been supplied with vehicles. Programs such as “Sports in Schools,” “Art in Schools,” and “Toward the Mountain” have been created. We have subsidized school teaching materials for students. For the first time, we have reviewed and improved textbooks for Albanian Language and Mathematics for grades I-IX, where, as is known, deficiencies were identified that are being systematically and diligently corrected. For children with special needs, we are providing assistants. Stigma and discrimination have no place in the schools of Kosovo or in our society.
In concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti stated that our Government is working to bring about fundamental changes directly related to the health, well-being, education, and rights of children, regardless of their background or abilities.
The Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, said that this meeting is a meaningful symbol, as well as evidence of our commitment as individuals, institutions, and as a government, demonstrated by the Interministerial Committee for Children’s Rights holding this meeting on this significant day, marking the anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1959.
Meanwhile, Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance in the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the purpose of the Interministerial Committee for Children’s Rights is the implementation of policies, addressing progress, challenges, and legislation in general, while also deepening and coordinating interinstitutional cooperation and collaboration with civil society organizations.
The Head of UNICEF’s Office in Kosovo, Veronika Vaschenko, stated that World Children’s Day is a day to celebrate progress and to be aware of the challenges that remain, reaffirming our commitment to the lives of children. She added that in Kosovo, we must acknowledge the achievement made for the children during this period.
Donjete Kelmendi, Executive Director of the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children in Kosovo (KOMF), stated that for them, this day serves as a day of reflection and an opportunity to continue their appeals to institutions, the government, and municipalities. Regarding social welfare, she said that KOMF recognizes the progress made in 2024, citing the increase in allowances for children and the progress in reforming social assistance, which, after 20 years, is finally addressing the discrimination children have faced in accessing social assistance. In this field, she presented the coalition’s demands regarding social services, which largely remain dependent on international programs and donations, viewing it as an issue that should be addressed by the country’s institutions, especially by the municipalities which also hold the primary responsibility for maintaining and funding these services. Ms. Kelmendi also highlighted that KOMF greatly values the government’s increase in the budget for social services, from 1.5 to 2.5 million euros for 2025. This increase will contribute to better functionality of the services. She also emphasized as a significant achievement the increase in the healthcare budget, specifically for the essential medicines list, and the expansion of the vaccination schedule. She underlined the need to provide preventive or rehabilitative services for children who are substance users, as well as services addressing children’s mental health.
At the conclusion of this meeting, Prime Minister Kurti engaged in a dialogue with child advocates for Children’s Rights, who presented requests for support and inclusiveness in the realization of their rights. They discussed various topics, including education, safety, digitalization, and health, for which the Prime Minister offered his full support, along with that of the Government he leads, to improve and advance the rights of all children in Kosovo.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable members of the Interministerial Committee for Children’s Rights, dear children,
Honorable Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Arberie Nagavci,
Honorable Deputy Ministers Gjesheviq, Gashani, Gexha-Bunjaku and Sinani,
Honorable Ms. Veronika Vashchenko, Head of UNICEF Office in Kosovo,
Dear Ms. Donjetë Kelmendi, Executive Director of the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children in Kosovo,
Honorable Mr. Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance in the Office of the Prime Minister,
Distinguished representatives of governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations in our republic,
Ladies and gentleman,
Honorable attendees,
Welcome as we reconvene in the meeting of the Committee for Children’s Rights, marking 20 November – World Children’s Day.
We stand together today, and united every day, in the belief that investing in children is the right path toward building a sustainable future. Children are the foundation of life; therefore, our efforts are maximal, and our commitment meaningful, to raise healthy and educated generations.
For equality and equal opportunities, we are increasing support through social policies, ensuring that no one is left behind. Every child should grow up in a safe environment that enables them to fulfill their full potential.
To this end, we have introduced new policies for children and families. For the first time since the post-war period, we are providing allowances for children. Maternity allowances as well. There has been a doubling and tripling of allowances for children and maternity benefits. We are supporting over 410,000 children and more than 62,000 maternity mothers. We have established the employment measure “Government for Families,” and for children without parental care, we have increased the regular monthly payments. With the new Law on Social and Family Services, for the first time, we are enabling family-based accommodation for children and young people up to the age of 26.
For well-being and health, we have made capital investments in clinics, hospitals, and new specializations, including the transformation of four departments in the Gynecology Clinic and the provision of three new services, the renovation of the Psychiatry Clinic for children and adolescents, as well as the operationalization of the Pediatric Ward in Mitrovica. Through the program for visits to mothers and children and the vaccination of children according to the regular vaccination calendar, a total of 172,000 home visits have been conducted, including over 67,000 visits in 2024 alone. The Ministry of Health has equipped 30 municipalities with 30 vehicles for these visits.are used for these visits. Additionally, six Municipal Family Health Centers in major cities have been supplied with vehicles. We are also nurturing physical health, artistic creativity, and ever-expanding knowledge, providing students with increasingly diverse experiences, all within the framework of education and school activities. Programs such as “Sports in Schools,” “Art in Schools,” and “Toward the Mountain” have been created. We have subsidized school teaching materials for students. For the first time, we have reviewed and improved textbooks for Albanian Language and Mathematics for grades I-IX, where, as is known, deficiencies were identified that are being systematically and diligently corrected. For children with special needs, we are providing assistants. Stigma and discrimination have no place in the schools of Kosovo or in our society. Thus, we are collectively committed to ensuring that children with special needs are welcomed in every environment across our country, at all times, and in every public space.
Our Government is working to bring about fundamental changes directly related to the health, well-being, education, and rights of children, regardless of their background or abilities. We are dedicated to fulfilling the obligations outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other international treaties and standards. As you all know, Kosovo has had a Law on Child Protection for five years now, which naturally refers to the instruments for child protection, which include: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its protocol, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its protocols, The Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the Protection of National Minorities, The Conventions on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, The Convention on the Rights of the Child, and The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Honored participants,
Dear children,
your concerns and worries are also ours. Much has been accomplished, but much more remains to be done.
We are deeply grateful to each and every one of you for your dedication and contributions thus far. We will continue to support you in the future, as never before.
Thank you!
Last modified: November 25, 2024