Communication, Coordination and Information Sharing Strategy Document Workshop Completed

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As part of our project, the Communication, Coordination and Information Sharing Strategy Document Workshop took place on Wednesday, 1 November 2023, in Ankara. Approximately 50 participants from public institutions, civil society organizations and academia attended the workshop.

 

The opening speech of the workshop was delivered by Emre Ertekin, Family and Social Services Expert of the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Mr. Ertekin underscored the crucial role of coordination and collaboration in the field of child protection and emphasized the need to develop a strategic document to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of work in this field. Likewise, during his address, Tarık Tuncay, the Key Expert of the Özne Çocuk project, highlighted that the workshop aimed to identify challenges in communication, coordination and information sharing within the field of child protection, and to draft recommendations addressing these challenges.

 

In the first session of the workshop, the conceptual framework and the results of the current situation analysis of the communication, coordination and information sharing strategy document were reviewed. The second session focused on the challenges faced in communication, coordination and information sharing.

 

After the lunch break, participants engaged in focus group discussions centred on the themes of communication, coordination, and collaboration, drafting sets of recommendations on these topics. These recommendations were then shared in the closing session of the workshop. The workshop concluded with evaluations of the day.

On June 23rd, We Gathered with the Children of Seasonal Agricultural Worker Families!

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As Özne Çocuk Project, we persistently strive to raise awareness about the adverse effects of child labour in Türkiye. Accordingly, we held the second children gathering event of our project on 23 June 2023 in Polatlı/Ankara. During the event held with the participation of children from the Sarıoba Seasonal Agricultural Worker Settlement, agricultural workers, and representatives from public institutions and organizations, we made sure that both children and attendees had a delightful day filled with theatre performances, children’s workshops, as well as informative sessions and engaging activities for adults.

Child Labour in Türkiye

The prevention and eradication of child labour in all sectors have been a longstanding national goal in Türkiye. According to TURKSTAT 2019 data, 45.5% of economically active children in the 5-17 age group work in the service sector, 30.8% in agriculture and 23.7% in industry. Based on TURKSTAT’s 2019 data, the service sector stands as the industry with the highest incidence of child labour. Children working in the industrial sector make up 24% of economically active children.

Consequently, as part of our project’s awareness-raising activities, we are hosting gatherings for children. We held the first of our events last year in Çanakkale with the participation of over 1300 children. Click for detailed information on our first event.

In the Playgrounds, Not in the Fields!

This year, following the path set by our motto “Children Belong in Playgrounds, Not in the Fields”, our primary focus remained on creating a joyous day for the children. We prepared an enjoyable program by cooperating with Pikolo Association, which has long been focusing on seasonal agricultural worker children.

Opening Speech

Our event started with the speech of Hayriye Özkaldı, Head of Department at the General Directorate of Labour, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the beneficiary institution of the project. Ms. Özkaldı emphasized the significance of preventing child labour and highlighted the initiatives undertaken in this domain.

Children Embarked on an Adventure with Elsa and the Bear!

After the speech, the children took their seats for the theatre show. They had a delightful time with Elsa and the Bear, enjoying an hour of entertainment.

After the show, the children had a delightful day in the festival area, where various activities like painting workshops, hygiene workshops, face painting, balloon shows, and Karagöz-Hacivat performances took place.

Let’s take a look at some snapshots from our workshops together!

We Discussed the Adverse Effects of Child Labour in our Stakeholder and Family Sessions.

As the children were having fun in the festival area, we also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of public institutions and families of seasonal agricultural workers. In the informative sessions we held, we talked about child labour, its negative effects on children’s health and the needs of children.

Our Gifts Brought Joy to the Children

We provided the children who participated in the event with cloth drawstring backpacks filled with t-shirts, hats, school notebooks, and colouring pencils. When selecting our promotional materials, we made sure to choose durable items that children can use in their everyday lives.

We look forward to our next meeting with the children!

We Held The Last of The “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop” Events in Mersin!

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As Özne Çocuk, we came together with civil society organizations in Mersin on 21-22 June 2023 to hold the last of the “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop”.

During the two-day workshop, we worked on child rights and advocacy together with civil society organizations active in different areas of child rights such as child protection, child participation, child labour, early marriage, migration and child poverty. Local governmental bodies working in the field of child rights have also participated in our event.

What did we do at the workshop?

For two days we sought answers to the following and many more questions;

  • What is advocacy?
  • What are the key concepts of advocacy?
  • How do we advocate?
  • What should we pay attention to when advocating?
  • How to plan and run an advocacy campaign focused on children’s rights?

We also discussed inspiring good advocacy work in Türkiye and created an interactive sharing setting with the active participation of civil society organization representatives. We had the chance to exchange ideas on what can be done in the field of advocacy at the workshop where we shared experiences and had group work.

New Opportunities for Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations

The workshop provided an atmosphere where representatives of civil society organizations and participants from local governments shared their experiences with each other and established promising opportunities for new collaborations. Participants shared their experiences related to child rights and advocacy and had the opportunity to explore how can they work together.

Advocacy Case Studies

On the first day of the workshop, advocacy and communication on child rights were discussed and interactive group work was carried out. Under the guidance of our project experts, our participants went back to their own 15 years and remembered their needs as a child. In addition, a practical advocacy case study was carried out with the role-playing study.

On the first day of the workshop, advocacy and communication on child rights were discussed and interactive group work was carried out. Under the guidance of our project experts, our participants went back to their own 15 years and remembered their needs as a child. In addition, a practical advocacy case study was carried out with the role-playing study.

On the second day, presentations of good practices were given priority. The participants also had the opportunity to take part in case studies on issues related to child rights and protection for different target groups.

Click for “Public Advocacy for the Rights of the Child: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Action Plan”!

We Held The Fourth of The “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop” Events in İzmir!

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As Özne Çocuk, we came together with civil society organizations in İzmir on 4-5 May 2023 to hold the fourth of the “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop”.

During the two-day workshop, we worked on child rights and advocacy together with civil society organizations active in different areas of child rights such as child protection, child participation, child labour, early marriage, migration and child poverty. Local governmental bodies working in the field of child rights have also participated in our event.

What did we do at the workshop?

For two days we sought answers to the following and many more questions;

  • What is advocacy?
  • What are the key concepts of advocacy?
  • How do we advocate?
  • What should we pay attention to when advocating?
  • How to plan and run an advocacy campaign focused on children’s rights?

We also discussed inspiring good advocacy work in Türkiye and created an interactive sharing setting with the active participation of civil society organization representatives. We had the chance to exchange ideas on what can be done in the field of advocacy at the workshop where we shared experiences and had group work.

New Opportunities for Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations

The workshop provided an atmosphere where representatives of civil society organizations and participants from local governments shared their experiences with each other and established promising opportunities for new collaborations. Participants shared their experiences related to child rights and advocacy and had the opportunity to explore how can they work together.

Advocacy Case Studies

On the first day of the workshop, advocacy and communication on child rights were discussed and interactive group work was carried out. Through the scenario studies, the participants had the chance to experience the difficulties they encountered in the field practically. On the second day, presentations of good practices were given priority. Participants conducted case studies on child rights and protection for different target groups.

Click for “Public Advocacy for the Rights of the Child: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Action Plan”!

4 Guiding Principles of “The Convention on the Rights of the Child”!

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The Convention on the Rights of the Child, signed by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, entered into force on September 2, 1990. The convention, to which 196 countries with Türkiye is a party, has the distinction of being the human rights document ratified by the most significant number of countries in the world.

The document, which is based on the survival and development of children, non-discrimination, observance of the child’s best interests and participation, is a guide in the field of children’s rights.

The Convention has four guiding principles and essential requirements for fulfilling all rights.

1. Non-Discrimination

Article 42 of the Convention, irrespective of their religion, race or ability; regardless of what they think or say; whatever their culture; It proclaims the equality of all children, whether boys or girls, rich or poor.

2. Outstanding Benefit of the Child

Any decision or action that may affect children should always give priority to their best interests.

3. Ensuring the Child’s Presence and Development

Every child has the right to life. It is the responsibility of individuals with decision-making powers to provide them with every opportunity to grow and realize their potential.

4. Participation

Children are experts in their own lives and experiences and should be consulted on decisions that affect them. Every child has the right to express their own opinion.

In our work carried out within the scope of Özne Çocuk, we contribute to the development of the institutional capacity of the relevant institutions, taking into account the child’s best interests.

We Held The Third of The “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop” Events in Ankara!

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As Özne Çocuk, we came together with civil society organizations in Ankara on 13-14 April 2023 to hold the third of the “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop”.

During the two-day workshop, we worked on child rights and advocacy together with civil society organizations active in different areas of child rights such as child protection, child participation, child labour, early marriage, migration and child poverty. Local governmental bodies working in the field of child rights have also participated in our event.

What did we do at the workshop?

For two days we sought answers to the following and many more questions;

  • What is advocacy?
  • What are the key concepts of advocacy?
  • How do we advocate?
  • What should we pay attention to when advocating?
  • How to plan and run an advocacy campaign focused on children’s rights?

We also discussed inspiring good advocacy work in Türkiye and created an interactive sharing setting with the active participation of civil society organization representatives. We had the chance to exchange ideas on what can be done in the field of advocacy at the workshop where we shared experiences and had group work.

New Opportunities for Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations

The workshop provided an atmosphere where representatives of civil society organizations and participants from local governments shared their experiences with each other and established promising opportunities for new collaborations. Participants shared their experiences related to child rights and advocacy and had the opportunity to explore how can they work together.

Advocacy Case Studies

Role-play activities and case studies organized on the 2nd day of the workshop attracted attention. Through role-play activities, participants had the opportunity to present their ideas about their model advocacy work, and notice their shortcomings. During these activities, they had the opportunity to share their previous experiences with our experts and representatives of other civil society organizations.

During the workshops, both successful and unsuccessful examples of advocacy work were discussed and participants exchanged ideas and inspired one another.

In the “Step-by-Step Advocacy Workshops” that we will organize in different provinces in the coming months, we will gather with different organizations working in the field and continue to talk about children’s rights and advocacy.

Click for “Public Advocacy for the Rights of the Child: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Action Plan”!

We Held The Second of The “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop” Events in Istanbul!

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As Özne Çocuk, we came together with civil society organizations in İstanbul on 4-5 April 2023 to hold the first of the “Step by Step Advocacy Workshop”.

During the two-day workshop, we worked on child rights and advocacy together with civil society organizations active in different areas of child rights such as child protection, child participation, child labour, early marriage, migration and child poverty. Local governmental bodies working in the field of child rights have also participated in our event.

What did we do at the workshop?

For two days we sought answers to the following and many more questions;

  • What is advocacy?
  • What are the key concepts of advocacy?
  • How do we advocate?
  • What should we pay attention to when advocating?
  • How to plan and run an advocacy campaign focused on children’s rights?

We also discussed inspiring good advocacy work in Türkiye and created an interactive sharing setting with the active participation of civil society organization representatives. We had the chance to exchange ideas on what can be done in the field of advocacy at the workshop where we shared experiences and had group work.

New Opportunities for Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations

The workshop provided an atmosphere where representatives of civil society organizations and participants from local governments shared their experiences with each other and established promising opportunities for new collaborations. Participants shared their experiences related to child rights and advocacy and had the opportunity to explore how can they work together.

Advocacy Case Studies

Role-play activities and case studies organized on the 2nd day of the workshop attracted attention. Through role-play activities, participants had the opportunity to present their ideas about their model advocacy work, and notice their shortcomings. During these activities, they had the opportunity to share their previous experiences with our experts and representatives of other civil society organizations.

During the workshops, both successful and unsuccessful examples of advocacy work were discussed and participants exchanged ideas and inspired one another.

In the “Step-by-Step Advocacy Workshops” that we will organize in different provinces in the coming months, we will gather with different organizations working in the field and continue to talk about children’s rights and advocacy.

Click for “Public Advocacy for the Rights of the Child: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Action Plan”!

Savunuculuk Üzerine Konuşmak için Bursa’da Çocuklarla Bir Araya Geldik!

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Özne Çocuk olarak, 26 Ocak 2023’te “çocuk hakları ve savunuculuk” konuşmak için çocuklarla bir araya geldik.

Türkiye’nin farklı illerinde Çocuk Hakları İl Komitesi temsilcisi çocuklarla gerçekleştirdiğimiz bu buluşmada “çocuk haklarını” hakkın esas sahibi çocuklarla konuştuk.

Fiziksel olarak 20, çevirim içi olarak 100 çocuğun katılımıyla gerçekleştirdiğimiz toplantıda ilk olarak savunuculuk kavramını ele aldık. Proje uzmanlarımız çocuklarla birlikte savunuculuğun ne olduğu, etkileri ve nasıl yapılması gerektiği üzerine tartışmalar yürüttü.

Öğrenmenin En İyi Yolu Deneyimlemektir!

Bu toplantının katılımcı çocuklarda iz bırakması için uzmanlarımız sadece anlatıcı rolünü üstlenmek yerine birer uygulayıcı olmayı tercih ettiler. Buluşma esnasında pek çok oyun ile çocukların savunuculuğu daha iyi kavraması sağlandı.

Çocuk Hizmetleri Genel Müdürü Dr. Musa Şahin’in de katıldığı buluşmada, kendisinin akran zorbalığına değinmesi üzerine proje uzmanlarımız bunu oyunlaştırarak çocuklarla hızlı ve etkili bir çalışma gerçekleştirdiler.

Peki Bu Oyunun Kuralları Neydi?

Katılımcı çocuklara kağıtlar dağıtıldı. Daha sonra bu kağıtların buruşturmaları istendi. Ardından kağıtlar yeniden çocuklara dağıtıldı ve bu kağıtları yeniden düzleştirmeleri istendi, ancak tüm çabaya rağmen bu kağıtları yeniden eskisi gibi pürüzsüz yapmak mümkün değildi.

Çalışmanın sonunda çocuklara bu kağıtların aslında zorbalığa uğrayan çocukları temsil ettiği açıklandı. Bir defa incinen ve akran zorbalığına maruz kalan çocukların eskisi gibi sağlıklı olması mümkün değildi. Özür dilemek o yaraların tamamen iyileşmesini sağlamıyordu.

Her Çocuğun Haklara Eşit Erişimi Var Mı?

Buluşmada oynanan bir başka oyunla “Her çocuğun haklara eşit erişimi var mı?” sorusuna da cevap arandı. İlk olarak uzmanlarımız salonda yer alan sandalyeleri 3 sıra olarak yerleştirdiler ve çocukları belli sandalyelere oturttular. Ardından en ön sıradan yarım metre uzağa bir çöp kovası koydular ve çocuklara ellerindeki kâğıttan topları bu kutuya atmalarını istediler. Ön sıralardaki çocuklar toplarını çöp kutusuna atabilirken, arka sıradaki çocuklar çöp kutusunu tutturmakta zorlandılar. Bu oyun sayesinde tüm çocukların eşit haklara sahip olduğu (her çocuğa eşit sayıda kağıt top dağıtılmıştı), ancak bu haklara eşit erişim hakkına sahip olmadıkları gösterilmiş oldu. Aynı zamanda uzmanlar çocukların hangi sandalyelere oturacağına en başta karar vererek, bu erişim eşitsizliğinin de çocukların iradesi dışında geliştiği mesajını verdiler.

Özne Çocuk olarak çocuklarla bir araya gelerek savunuculuk üzerine konuşmaya ve birlikte öğrenmeye devam edeceğiz.

Çalışmalarımız için takipte kalın!

“Çocuk Hakları için Kamu Savunuculuğu: Bir Eylem Planı Hazırlanması için Adım Adım Rehber” için tıklayın!

“Adım Adım Savunuculuk Çalıştayı” Buluşmalarının İlkini Bursa’da Gerçekleştirdik!

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Özne Çocuk olarak 26-27 Ocak 2023 tarihlerinde “Adım Adım Savunuculuk Çalıştayı” buluşmalarının ilkini gerçekleştirmek üzere Bursa’da sivil toplum örgütleriyle bir araya geldik.

İki gün süren çalıştayda çocuk koruma, çocuk katılımı, çocuk işçiliği, erken yaşta evlilikler, göç ve çocuk yoksulluğu gibi farklı çocuk hakları alanında çalışan sivil toplum örgütleriyle birlikte çocuk hakları ve savunuculuk üzerine çalışmalar gerçekleştirdik. Çalıştayımıza aynı zamanda çocuk hakları alanında çalışan yerel yönetim birimlerinden de katılım sağlandı.

Çalıştayda Neler Yaptık?

İki gün boyunca;

  • Savunuculuk nedir?
  • Savunuculuğun temel kavramları nelerdir?
  • Nasıl savunuculuk yaparız?
  • Savunuculuk yaparken nelere dikkat etmeliyiz?
  • Çocuk hakları odaklı bir savunuculuk kampanyası nasıl planlanır ve yürütülür? ve çok daha fazla soruya hep birlikte cevaplar aradık.

Türkiye’de ilham veren iyi savunuculuk çalışmalarını da konuştuğumuz çalıştayımızda sivil toplum örgütü temsilcilerinin aktif katılımıyla etkileşimli bir paylaşım ortamı oluşturduk. Deneyim paylaşımı ve grup çalışmalarına yer verdiğimiz etkinlikte savunuculuk alanında neler yapılabileceğine dair fikir alışverişinde bulunma şansı edindik.

Sivil Toplum Örgütleri Arasında Yeni İş Birliği Fırsatları

Sivil toplum örgütü temsilcilerinin ve yerel yönetimlerden katılımcıların deneyimlerini birbirleriyle paylaştığı bir atmosfer sağlayan çalıştayımız yeni iş birliklerine dair de ümit veren fırsatlar yarattı. Çocuk hakları ve savunuculuk alanında deneyimlerini birbirleriyle paylaşan katılımcılar, birlikte neler yapabileceklerini keşfetme fırsatı edindi.

Savunuculuk Vaka Çalışmaları

Çalıştayımızın 2. gününde gerçekleştirilen rol yapma oyunları ve örnek vaka çalışmaları ise ilgi çekti. Rol yapma oyunları sayesinde katılımcılar örnek savunuculuk çalışması fikirlerini sunma ve eksiklerini görme fırsatı kazandı. Bu oyunlar esnasında önceden edindikleri deneyimleri hem uzmanlarımızla hem de diğer sivil toplum örgütü temsilcileriyle paylaşma fırsatı edindiler.

Hem başarılı hem de başarısız savunuculuk çalışması örneklerinin konuşulduğu çalışmalar esnasında, katılımcılar fikir alışverişinde bulunarak birbirlerine ilham verdiler.

Önümüzdeki aylarda farklı illerde gerçekleştireceğimiz “Adım Adım Savunuculuk” çalıştaylarında alanda çalışan farklı örgütlerle bir araya gelerek çocuk hakları ve savunuculuk üzerine konuşmaya devam edeceğiz.

“Çocuk Hakları için Kamu Savunuculuğu: Bir Eylem Planı Hazırlanması için Adım Adım Rehber” için tıklayın!

Çocuk Bakım Hizmetlerinin İyileştirilmesi için Çalışmalarımıza Başladık!

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Özne Çocuk olarak, BM Engellilerin Haklarına İlişkin Sözleşme, çocukların alternatif bakımına ilişkin BM yönergeleri ve Çocuk Haklarının Teşviki ve Korunmasına ilişkin AB Kılavuz İlkeleri doğrultusunda bakım kurumlarının ve çocuk bakım hizmetlerinin standartlarını ve erişilebilirliğini artırmayı amaçlıyoruz. Bu doğrultuda İzmir, İstanbul ve Çankırı’da saha ziyaretleri gerçekleştirdik. Bu saha ziyaretlerine paralel olarak Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı personeliyle 11 odak grup görüşmesi gerçekleştirdik.

Ayrıca 11-16 Aralık tarihleri arasında düzenlenen çalışma ziyareti kapsamında, Finlandiya’da çocuk refahı politika ve uygulamalarına dair gözlemlerde bulunma şansı edindik.

Proje ekibimiz, edindiği deneyimler doğrultusunda AB ülkelerinde uygulanan standart ve uygulamalar hakkında “Masa Başı Çalışması Raporu”, “Çocuk Koruma ve Bakım Hizmetlerinin Erişilebilirliği ve Niteliğinin Karşılaştırmalı Analiz Raporu”,  “Eğitim İhtiyaç Analizi Metodoloji Raporu”, “İyi Uygulamalar Raporu” ve “Nicel Veri Toplama Süreci ve Verilerin Analizi” başlıklı raporları tamamlayarak faydalanıcı kurumlara iletti.