The Association Vesta, organising a two-day Workshop

For preparation of the Code of Ethical research with children and the Protocol with standards for monitoring of the state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014 in BiH

As part of the project 'Strengthening the role of the civil society organisation in the monitoring of the state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Association Vesta, in partnership with the Association Zemlja djece, Tuzla is organising two-day workshop for preparation of the Code of Ethical research with children and the Protocol with standards for monitoring of the state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The workshop will be held on 31 October and 1 November 2011, at the Hotel Grand, Sarajevo.

The two-day will gather representatives of the nongovernmental organisations active in the field of monitoring/ protection of the rights of children in BiH, relevant governmental institutions, international organisations, Office of the Ombudsmen and other interest parties. The aim of the workshop is to ensure a participatory process for the preparation of the said documents (Code of Ethical research and the Protocol), through a convened forum form discussion and exchange of knowledge and experience amongst relevant participants. The workshop will be an opportunity for the Draft of the new state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014 in BiH, to be presented to the participants. The event will be facilitated by selected consultants/ subject matter experts.

The forthcoming workshop is an integral part of the three-year project 'Strengthening the role of the civil society organisation in the monitoring of the state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014 in Bosnia and Herzegovina' being implemented by the Association Vesta in partnership with the Association Zemlje djece Tuzla. The BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees is the Associate partner on the project. The project is financed by the European Union and will be implemented in the period January 2011 – December 2013.

Realisation of the project aims to contribute to strengthening the role of civil society organisations in promotion and monitoring of the human rights of children, as well as identification of problems and reporting on the overall situation in this area. The projects fosters stronger mechanisms of cooperation between the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and civil society organisations which will, with strengthened capacities, take part in the monitoring of the Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014. They will also participate in the preparation of Shadow report which will, together with the Report of the responsible state Ministry, be presented to the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child.

The project envisages preparation, adoption and publishing of the two key documents: The Code of ethical research with children and the Protocol with standards for monitoring of the state Strategy for combating violence against children 2011-2014. The stated documents will ensure data collection using unified methodology and standards harmonised with the EU Guidelines on Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children, will enable their intersectoral comparability and identification of gaps in the policies related and regulating the area of protection of the children's rights in BiH. To ensure ownership of the process, both documents will be prepared by the experts/ consultants, with active participation of all interest groups.

More information on the project can be obtained or your interest for participation at the workshop can be communicated by contacting the Association Vesta, contact persons: Dragana Bulić, project coordinator: 035/ 36 36 90; dragana@vesta.ba and Nerma Sakić, project assistant: 035/ 36 36 90; nerma@vesta.ba