Association Vesta new member of the NGO Network 'Stronger Voice for Children'

The Association Vesta is a new, proud member of the Network of BiH NGOs 'Stronger Voice for Children'. The Network 'Stronger Voice for Children' is an open, informal network created by the civil society organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose programme goals are oriented towards protection and improvement of lives of children in BiH.

The Network operates as an informal advocacy-oriented structure, working for the public good and in the interest of all children in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Activities of the Network are founded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, primarily its four key principles: life, survival and development of children, the best interest of the child and non-discrimination and participation of children, and include:

• education, promotion and advocacy for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC);

• initiatives on creation and harmonisation of BiH legislative framework in line with the UN CRC and adoption of the budgets for children in line with their needs, on all levels of the government;

• monitoring of the implementation of the rights of the child in BiH and giving recommendations for their improvement;

• education and empowerment of children for participation in all issues of concern to them;

• strengthening the position and capacities of the civil society organisations active in the area of protection and promotion of children's rights

• organising conferences, seminars, round tables and other activities aimed at enhanced capacities of children and adults;

• Initiating campaigns, press conferences and public statements related to the actual issues of interest for the children;

• starting initiatives and advocating for re-activation of the BiH Council for Children and other institutional mechanisms for implementation of the rights of the children in BiH;

• marking dates of relevance to children (CRC Day, Children's Week, etc..);

• establishment of cooperation with all institutions and organisations working on children's rights;

• raising awareness of the public on the needs of the children and promotion of socially responsible entrepreneurship.

Apart from newly joined Association Vesta, the organistions, members of the Network 'Stronger Voice for Children' are: 'Naša djeca' Sarajevo, 'Zdravo da ste' Banjaluka, 'Sunce nam je zajedničko' Trebinje, 'Udruženje za pomoć mentalno nedovoljno razvijenih lica' Banja Luka, 'Zemlja djece' Tuzla, 'Budimo aktivni' Sarajevo, 'Svjetionik' Prijedor, 'Naša djeca' Zenica, 'Centar za prava djece' Konjic, 'Step by Step' Sarajevo, 'Sretni Romi' Tuzla, 'Budućnost' Modriča and 'Fondacija lokalne demokratije' Sarajevo. The Network is supported by the European Union, Save the Children Norway and UNICEF BiH.