Meeting of Charities Concerned about Children in Romania

Summary: Objective: To discuss and seek agreement on what we feel are the principal issues affecting children in Romania, and proposed solutions, that the EU and Romanian Government should address.

Partial List of Issues to be Discussed at the Meeting

1. We in principle support the restructuring of the social system which includes the closing of state orphanages in Romania - however with inadequate state benefits for families living in poverty many children are still being abandoned and are living in the streets.
 
2. Child abuse in Romania is extremely high and with inadequate supervision by Child Protection Departments many children continue to be a risk – with the closing of orphanages there is no State provision to offer protection or safety.
 
3. NGO’s are striving to maintain good practice and provide childcare services with little to no funding from the Romanian Government. Promised legislation for contracts to receive Government funding has not materialised. The was promised by the National Authority for January 2006?
 
4. Government Inspectors are imposing impossible rules and regulations for smaller  children’s homes containing less than 20 children as they are  requiring of state orphanages of 150.  It is impossible to meet these demands and there are fines for non compliance. A change in legislation is needed.

5. There is an EU requirement to meet the needs of children with disabilities. One charity is seeking to set up a therapeutic and learning centre in Bucharest for children with complex needs (the first of its kind in Romania and so desperately needed) is finding complete indifference from the authorities.

6. The cessation of all international adoption due to corrupt “sale of babies” by individuals/organizations. This is also true for foreigners who have raised orphans for years within Romania, an dare constantly threatened with their removal. The corruption may have stopped incomes for those abusing the adoption system, but it has also taken away hope for parents and a brighter future from thousands of children. Solution: reopen adoption, using foreign monitors.

7. Parents retain the right in perpetuity to their children, even if they have abandoned them for an extended time. Solution: after a period of time, 6 months, parents are given a warning. After 1 year, application and reason must be made through the court system. If child is adopted, no application is possible.

8. Social services is highly variable as to level of care between different regions. Often, local officials are difficult and indifferent about children’s rights, orphans and abandoned childen. Solution: to have a some central government/external (eg EU) annual audit.

9. There is no transitional program for teenagers who are no longer children and must leave any form of state care. They often are unable to find work or a place to live.