Newlsetter issue 1/2017 by Iana Creul

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter, issue 1/2017

In this issue:  UNICEF celebrates its 70th anniversary  An ordinary miracle  Imagine a better world for children © UNICEF Moldova/2016/Bubulici

 Roma children from Cioresti village benefit from a child-centered education approach at school

Ilinca (right), the youngest participant in the #IMAGINE project, with her sister Valeria at the brand wall during UNICEF’s 70th anniversary event.

 More inclusive schools for Moldovan children

UNICEF 70th Anniversary – a celebration for children and with children entertainment activities organized for them and produced a common banner putting together their perspectives on how a better world for children should look.

Among high level guests celebrating UNICEF’s work were the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, H.E. James Pettit, the Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova, H.E. Signe Burgstaller, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Gheorghe Brega, UNICEF Representative to Moldova, Nune Mangasaryan, the first President of Moldova, Mircea Snegur, the Ambassador of the European Union to Moldova, H.E. Pirkka Tapiola, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Natalia Gherman, H.E. Artur Michalski, the Ambassador of Poland to Moldova and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova Dafina Ghercheva (pictured below from left to right). More than 50 children from all over the country with different backgrounds and needs have participated at the event. They enjoyed

In the form of a children’s takeover, the event was moderated by two reporters from the National Radio Studio for Children – Maria Branca and Gabriel Chiriac. The studio was created by UNICEF Moldova ten years ago and has since engaged more than 500 children. During the event, UNICEF Moldova released a new video for the #IMAGINE campaign featuring famous Moldovan artists Eugen Doga, Valentina Nafornita, Pavel Stratan, Pasha Parfeny, Natalia Barbu, Alexandru Manciu, young performers Xenia Chitoroaga, Cleopatra Stratan, Eva Timuş, Nicusor Untila, as well as children’s choir «Lia Ciocarlia».

Children, high level officials, and a wide range of UNICEF partners, gathered at the Republican Palace in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, to mark UNICEF’s 70th anniversary.

Children enjoying the special entertainment organized for them during the UNICEF’s 70th anniversary event in Chisinau, Moldova.

High level officials at the UNICEF’s 70th Anniversary Event.

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter ChIlD PRoteCtIoN protecţia copilului ResulTs achieved in coopeRaTion wiTh GoveRnmenT and paRTneRs Rezultate obțiNute îN coopeRaRe cu GuveRNul și paRteNeRii

the National Council on Child Rights Protection (NCCRP) is a government body chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova.

The number of children in residential care decreased 5-fold Numărul copiilor în instituţii rezidenţiale s-a redus de 5 ori

11.5

11.1 6.2

consiliul național pentru protecția Drepturilor Copilului (CNPDC) este un organ guvernamental prezidat de Prim-ministrul Republicii Moldova.

2.2

2006 2015 IN ResIDeNtIAl CARe, Thousands în îngrijire rezidenţială, mii

Working Group

2006 2015 IN FAMIly BAseD CARe, Thousands în îngrijire alternativă, mii

Grup de lucru

Combating the phenomena of child suicide

Birth registration

Lupta împotriva suicidului între copii

Înregistrarea naşterii

NCCRP CNPDC Coordinating the program on inclusive education and DI of children Coordonarea programului pe educaţie inclusivă şi dezinstituţionalizare

Visitors at the UNICEF’s 70th Anniversary exhibition surveying the panels showcasing significant results achieved by UNICEF in Moldova.

For developing the Parenting strategy and its Action plan

For developing the Action Plan on Child on-line safety Elaborarea planului de acţiuni privind siguranţa online a copiilor

Dezvoltarea strategiei şi a planului de acţiuni pe abilităţi parentale

With the occasion of the 70th Anniversary a special exhibition was produced showcasing UNICEF’s history since 1946, the work of Goodwill Ambassadors as well as results achieved in Moldova since 1995.

In 2004, children sleep in the dormitory of an orphanage in Chisinau. By 2016, 20 institutions were closed.

MIlestoNes:

În 2004, copiii dorm într-un orfelinat din Chișinău. 20 de instituții au fost închise către 2015.

2007 – 2012: National Strategy and Action Plan on reforming the system of residential care

X 9 more professional foster families X 15 more children in foster care X 9 ori mai mulți asistenți parentali profesioniști X 15 ori mai mulți copii în asistență parentală profesionistă

The panels focusing on UNICEF’s work in Moldova presented milestones reached in cooperation with Government and partners in the areas of early childhood education, secondary education, child protection, justice for children, health, youth and adolescents as well as UNICEF regional initiatives in Moldova.

370

2007

2015

ChIlDReN IN FosteR CARe copii în asistență parentală profesionistă

2014: Approval of the inter-sectoral cooperation mechanism 2014-2020: Child Protection Strategy and Action Plan law 140: On special protection of children at risk and those separated from their parents

realizări:

645

2007: Establishment of the nationwide network of community social workers

2007 2015 FosteR FAMIlIes asistenți parentali profesioniști

2007 – 2012: Strategia naţională şi planul de acţiuni privind reformarea sistemului de îngrijire rezidenţială 2007: Crearea reţelei naţionale a asistenţilor sociali 2014: Aprobarea mecanismului de cooperare intersectorială 2014-2020: Strategia şi planul de acţiuni privind protecţia copilului legea 140: Privind protecţia specială a copiilor aflaţi în situaţii de risc şi a copiilor separaţi de părinţi

Since 1995, UNICEF has worked in Moldova to ensure every child has access to quality health services. Due to the unwavering commitment of UNICEF and partners the infant mortality rate was halved and survival rates of premature infants with low birth weight increased from below 2% in 2000 to almost 90% in 2015. In Early Childhood Education the second Millennium Development Goal target has been reached: 85% of children aged 3-5 were enrolled in preschools in 2015, a nearly two-fold increase compared with 2000. With continuous support form UNICEF in promoting inclusion 36% of children with special needs attended pre-school in 2015, compared to only 1.8% in 2005.

Vasile (name changed), a disabled boy, was taken in foster care after spending several years in an institution. Vasile was not able to talk, walk, or even eat unassisted. Today, he walks while being held, smiles and learns to chew food. Apart from Vasile and his sister, the foster mother has two more siblings in her care. Vasile (nume schimbat), un băiat cu disabilitate, a fost luat în asistență parentală profesionistă după ce a petrecut câţiva ani într-o instituţie rezidenţială. Vasile nu putea vorbi, merge sau mânca fără ajutor. Astăzi, el merge cu susţinere, zâmbeşte şi învaţă să mestece hrana. Pe lângă Vasile şi sora sa, asistenta parentală mai îngrijeşte doi copii.

One of UNICEF’s 70th anniversary exhibition panels showcasing results achieved in child protection since 1995.

Similarly, the number of children with special educational needs (SEN) attending mainstream secondary schools increased form 1.2 thousands in 2006 to 10.4 thousands in 2015. Child Friendly

Schools Standards (CFS) were approved by the Government of Moldova in 2013 with 1300 managers from all the schools across the country learning and applying CFS standards to self-evaluate their schools.

Moldova became a model country in the Eastern European region due to its efforts in promoting a child-friendly justice system. With UNICEF’s support, a decrease in the length of detention for minors, the banning of solitary confinement, the development of alternatives to detention and access to state guaranteed legal aid were achieved. The exhibition served as a reminder that despite great progress, the concerted action of authorities, civil society and international organisations is as necessary as ever to ensure that every child in Moldova can develop to her full potential.

Visitors at the UNICEF’s 70th Anniversary exhibition surveying the panels showcasing significant results achieved by UNICEF in Moldova.

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter

An ordinary miracle

Lucian, born prematurely, is now reaching his 3rd birthday. He survived and is doing well due to reforms in perinatal care.

Meet Lucian, a Moldovan child now nearly 3 years old. When looking at this joyful toddler, with a name meaning “light”, it is hard to believe that had he been born a few years earlier, he would not have survived, and no one would have expected him to. A decade ago, his chances to live would have been as low as 5 in 100.

When Moldova just started to implement the standards set by the World Health Organization, there were not enough incubators and other equipment to ensure survival and care for children born prematurely. In November 2009, an equipment assistance with a total value of over 700 000 US dollars, was offered by the Council of Europe Development Bank and the UNICEF National Committee of Switzerland via UNICEF Moldova, following the need to reduce the risks of losing babies with low, very low, and extremely low birth weight.

Not only was Lucian born prematurely, at 27 weeks. He also had an extremely low weight of only 789 gramms. To put Lucian’s achievement in perspective: only newborns born after at least 28 weeks of pregnancy with a weight of 1 kilogram or more were considered live births before Moldova adopted the International definition of live birth, in 2008. In many places around the world premature babies with such a low weight still don’t survive.

Today, due to UNICEF in Moldova efforts to ensure reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition services to all Moldovan women, children and families, most babies born prematurely, even those with an extremely low weight, survive.

Lucian was lucky to be born in the right place and at the right time. Starting with 2008, all children that weighted over 500 grams and completed over 22 weeks of gestation were considered live births, in accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organization.

In the first two months of life Lucian was kept in an incubator: one of those UNICEF in Moldova provided seven years ago to 11 maternity wards throughout the country, along with resuscitation tables, phototherapeutic lamps and ultrasound machines. A dedicated team of professionals, trained in how to deal with premature babies, took good care of him. More than 1,500 babies are born prematurely every year in Moldova. Typically, each of them needs special care, at even temperatures and humidity levels maintained in incubators until their weight reaches 2 000 grams. Some of the babies, who are, like Lucian, born with an extremely low weight, might need to remain in such conditions for over one month.

Professor Petru Stratulat, a national champion in implementing improved healthcare practices for infant children and reforming perinatology system in Moldova.

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter

Imagine a better world for children

The UNICEF 70th anniversary was a great opportunity for Moldovans to stand together with UNICEF for the rights of children everywhere. With this occasion a new video for the #IMAGINE project was launched. Famous Moldovan artists: Eugen Doga, Valentina Nafornita, Pavel Stratan, Pasha Parfeny, Natalia Barbu, Alexandru Manciu, young performers Xenia Chitoroaga, Cleopatra Stratan, Eva Timuş, Nicusor

Untila, as well as children’s choir «Lia Ciocarlia» joined their voices to promote the vision of a better world for children. The local version of the song will feed into the choir of voices from over 190 countries joining global superstars like Katy Perry, David Guetta, Will.I.Am, Craig David and many others committing to make the vision of a better world for children a reality.

Eugen Doga is one of the most appreciated and respected composers of Eastern Europe and CIS. With a career spanning 60 years he is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, among them the World Intellectual Property Organization (Geneva) certificate for outstanding achievements in music.

Cleopatra Stratan entered the Guinness World Records as the youngest person ever to score commercial success at the age of three with her 2006 album “La vârsta de trei ani” (“At the age of 3”). She holds the record for the highest paid young artist, the youngest artist to receive an MTV award and the youngest artist to score a No.1 hit in a country.

It is a beautiful musical project, which predisposes to meditation and nobility, especially because it brought so many talents together - a bouquet of flowers, which sings for life. I would like to send UNICEF the very best wishes with the occasion of its 70th anniversary, spent under the banner of peace and beauty, working to ensure decent life for children and their parents.

I really enjoyed the filming process and I feel honored to have joined such a distinguished cast. I think the end result was wonderful. I’m glad I was able to contribute to such a worthy cause and hope the message of the song will be heard far and wide. 4

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter

Nicusor Untila is 15 and has a visual impairment. He plays the piano, violin, flute, takes canto lessons and won numerous distinctions and awards. Nicusor is also an alumni of the radio studio for children, set up with UNICEF support.

Natalia Barbu is best known for representing Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song “Fight”. She writes her own lyrics and composes music for most of her songs.

I admit that I never expected be part of such a meaningul and important project. I felt honored and proud to sing alongside so many highly respected artists. After launching the video spot, I received several congratulatory messages. This was empowering, now I feel braver and more motivated. I would like to thank all those who have supported me throughout this project.

It was a wonderful experience. Connecting with the other artists and the production team was fantastic. I feel honored and happy that I could participate in such a project. #IMAGINE will remain in my heart as a project of great value. I believe that through joining UNICEF, we were able to send more love to people.

“The Convention on the Rights of the Child asked us all to imagine a better world for children – and calls on all of us to make that vision a reality. The #IMAGINE project gives people across the globe a chance to join a global movement for children, lending their ideas, their visions and, not least, their voices to advance the rights of every child, everywhere.” Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director

Children of Moldova, stills from #IMAGINE video clip

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter

Roma children from Cioresti village benefit from a child-centered education approach at school themselves and show respect towards others. “I would like all lessons to take place in this way” says Bianca Gligor, 8th form. “I enjoyed the lectures held by visiting experts from UNICEF and Dacia. The fact that we have stayed in a circle encouraged us to communicate openly and listen to each other’s opinions.”

The teachers were also impressed by the impact of the new approach. The educational tools they learned and practiced applying the project “Promotion of increased participation of Roma children in education” allowed bringing each child’s potential to the forefront of the educational process. Lidia Gulică teaches biology in both Cioresti and Vulcanesti gymnasiums. She says she tried several times to diversify her teaching methods to incite children’s itnerest in biology. The trainings held by Dacia Centre experts have helped her immensely.

“I live in Vulcanesti, but every morning I take the bus to come to school in Cioresti. I learn so many interesting things and my fellow classmates help me feel at home here. My father works in England in construction but I dream of getting an education and having my own profession.” Emanuil Stoica,

”Some techniques presented during the training were familiar to me, some of them not. Experience shows time and again that learning through play is incredibly efficient. And precisely such playful, interactive teaching methods I tried to apply in my biology class. I was surprised to see my students so receptive and involved in the discussions. It allowed for a better understanding of their needs and behaviors. Moreover, if until recently,

student at ‘Valeriu Dumbrava” gymnasium in Cioresti

Teachers from “Valeriu Dumbrava” gymnasium in Cioresti took part in a training on the child-centered education concept and teaching tools. The training module was launched within the project “Promotion of increased participation of Roma children in education” implemented by Resource Centre for Youth DACIA with the support of UNICEF Moldova. A total of 32 teachers honed their teaching skills to better respond to the development needs of the child. “My name is Bianca Gligor and I like mathematics”. is the opening to a lesson, where the focus of education shifts from simply pursuing general learning objectives to improving competencies, and where the student’s individual needs are emphasized. Being seated in a circle, an uncommon arrangement in Moldovan schools, students are encouraged to express

Lidia Gulică joined Roma students to attend the lectures based on child-centered education concept.

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter I had to persuade children from the neighboring village – Vulcanesti, to come to class, now, thanks to the new teaching methods, they are not likely to miss a day at school, something we find inspiring.” underlined Lidia Gulică.

Viorica Adascalita, expert in child psychology, says that the new methods provided teachers with a useful roadmap on how to ensure optimal development of intellectual and social competencies – the overall goal of the educational system today. ”I have invited the teachers to search for new ways of applying their vast professional knowledge. But this approach has been received differently by teachers. Being used to classic methods of teaching, even the circular seating arrangement during lessons seemed strange to some of them. We tried to spread the idea that seated in a circle, facing each other children feel more confident and open to discussion.

“I enjoyed the lectures held by visiting experts from UNICEF and Dacia. The fact that we have stayed in a circle encouraged us to communicate openly and listen to each other’s opinions.”

Once the new teaching methods took root in the classroom, teachers began noticing the untapped learning potential in their students. And all that was needed to discover and engage these pupils was a change in the teaching approach” said Viorica Adascalita.

Bianca Gligor student student at ‘Valeriu Dumbrava” gymnasium in Cioresti

during after-school classes. The aim is to increase Roma children’s participation in quality education so that they are able to manage school workload and graduate successfully to the next stage of education.

In the framework of the “Promotion of increased participation of Roma children in education” project, over 70 children from Vulcanesti and Cioresti village benefit from educational assistance for all disciplines

Students from “Valeriu Dumbrava” gymnasium in Cioresti attending the lectures held by visiting experts from UNICEF and Dacia.

UNICEF in Moldova Newsletter

More inclusive schools for Moldovan children

Children from inclusive kindergarten nr. 12 in Balti enjoy exercise sessions tailored as play.

Three boys enjoying art class at inlcusive kindergarten nr. 12 in Balti.

In 2010, the Ministry of Education urged all schools to open their doors to children with disabilities. Today in mainstream schools across the country there are more than 10 thousand students with special educational needs, their number increasing every year. To support these children, about 500 inclusive education resource centres were opened, and more than 600 support teachers were trained to assist teachers with inclusion of children with disabilities.

still parents who choose specialised institutions, but their number is decreasing due to successful reforms“, Natalia Cechina added.

Ana Focsa, from Balti, is a mother of two children. Ana has a son with a visual impairment who attended a specialized kindergarten in the past. However, due to the implementation of the Programme for Development of Inclusive Education, he was able to start his first school year at a mainstream school. “I did not hesitate at all to enroll my son in a mainstream school. It would have been much harder had I agreed to isolate my child because of disability. He would have perceived himself as being different from others, and that would have increased the gap between him and other children,” Ana added.

According to Liudmila Lefter, UNICEF Education Specialist, demand for inclusive education has increased. There are, however, children with disabilities who have not yet benefited fully from the inclusive education opportunities. It’s primarily children with severe disabilities and children with sensorial disabilities who are not attending school, being isolated from the community and their peers. An international consultant on inclusive education, Bertrame Tulk, was invited by UNICEF to assess the challenges of including these children in mainstream education in Moldova. A first documentation mission took place in January-February 2017. Accompanied by representatives of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and Republican Center for Psycho-pedagogical Assistance, the expert visited several institutions for children with severe disabilities and children with sensorial impairments in Balti, Cahul, Orhei, Hancesti and Ialoveni.

Since 2010, the number of children with special educational needs in regular educational institutions has increased. Educational support services were created at both district and local level. All districts have a Pedagogical Assistance Service and many schools have established resource centers for inclusive education with support teachers available.

“Since the beginning of the reform we promote the idea that every child can learn. It is important that teachers and managers, parents and the community embrace this idea. In this respect, the consultant will help us develop a guidance so that the process of inclusion of children with severe disabilities and of children with sensorial disabilities in mainstream schools is achieved in a relatively short time, learning from the experience of Canada and other countries“ said UNICEF Education Specialist, Liudmila Lefter.

“Children are no longer referred to specialized institutions,” says Natalia Cechina, Deputy Director of the Psycho-pedagogical Assistance Service in Balti. “The attitudes of parents of children with special educational needs have changed as well. They value the right of their children to quality education and approach schools managers asking for enrollment in mainstream schools. Of course, there are

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Moldova ratified in 1993, guarantees the same rights to all children, including those with disabilities. Moldova has also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in 2011 the Government adopted the National Programme for the development of inclusive education for 2011-2020.

UNICEF Moldova

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