Tirana, 13 September 2024 – The Parliamentary Committee on Public Information and Education of the Albanian Parliament and CRCA/ECPAT Albania agreed to work closer together to increase cooperation in terms of issues related to children and young people in Albania, and in particular on online safety, access to quality and inclusive education for children and young people, the national budget for education, as well as youth law.
All these issues were discussed at the meeting between the Executive Director of CRCA/ECPAT Albania Mr. Altin Hazizaj, with the new Chairperson of the Parliamentary Commission, Mrs. Ina Zhupa. “We believe that your coming to the head of this very important commission of the Albanian Parliament will strengthen the accountability of public institutions to the Assembly and citizens, along with other initiatives that promote the monitoring and controlling role of MPs.” – said our Executive Director at the start of the meeting.
On behalf of CRCA Albania, Mr. Hazizaj wished the new Chairwoman of the Commission success in her difficult task, in a commission that brings together media, education and youth, while also the protection of children in these sectors. During the meeting, child online safety was discussed based on the concerns that iSIGURT.al has reported regarding the lack of child protections in the digital space.
“This Commission plays an essential role in many critical directions for the lives of children and young people in Albania. We therefore believe that under your direction the Commission will support initiatives to strengthen legislation on child protection in digital space, youth law, increase the state budget for education, and strengthen monitoring of the work of public institutions for children and youth” said during the meeting Altin Hazizaj, Director of CRCA/ECPAT Albania.
CRCA/ECPAT Albania since its establishment has focused on strengthening public institutions and especially the Albanian Parliament for the improvement of legislation and policies that affect the lives of children and young people. In 2013, the Albanian Parliament and CRCA worked together to estabish the Parliamentary Group on the Rights of the Child, known as Friends of Children Parliamentary Group.
During September-October, parliamentary commissions will discuss the approval of the national budget for the coming year, which presents a good opportunity for civil society to advocate. In this context, a joint hearing session with civil society was agreed to be held to present the views of CSOs on the national budget, access to education, youth and online bullying.
For more information, contact:
CRCA/ECPAT Albania
E-mail: crca@crca.al