Τhe visit was attended by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou, the Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus
The Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas visited the shelter for unaccompanied children of the “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center on Tuesday.
According to a press release issued by the organization, the visit was attended by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou, the Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Myrto Zambarta and the Senior Officer of Social Welfare Services Chara Tapanidou. During the visit, HFC Executive Director Andria Neocleous presented to Vice President Schinas and his colleagues the multifaceted work carried out by “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center as a pioneering organization in children’s rights and the largest non-governmental organization for child protection in Cyprus.
It is added that during the tour of the premises, the EC Vice President was informed about the operation of the shelter and the services provided in collaboration with the Social Welfare Services that have custody of the children accommodated, and in particular about the rehabilitation, integration and sustainable solution services offered to the children, as well as the activities related to meeting their individual needs since the establishment of the shelter in 2014.
It is also noted that special reference was made to the staffing of the shelters by specialized personnel and the challenges faced in the field of support and integration of unaccompanied children, while suggestions that would significantly contribute to solving existing difficulties, addressing emerging needs, and suggestions of the organization regarding the improvement of the handling and integration of unaccompanied children were also discussed, within the context of the crisis currently experienced by Cyprus.
On behalf of the “Hope or Children” CRC Policy Center, the Founder and Director General of the organization Joseph Borghese, after thanking Vice President Schinas for his interest in its work, said that the visit of the EU Vice President is a great honour for the center, given the connection and presence of the organization at the European level and the efforts for promoting the European values, and expressed his commitment to cooperation for the improvement of infrastructure and services concerning children in Cyprus, the statement concluded.
Source: CNA
