The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, in cooperation with UNICEF BiH and the Association for Fortland and Educational Support, organized a conference called “Foster in the FBiH: to live, grow up and build a system together.”
The event gathered representatives of the government, experts, social work centers, fosters and young people with the experience of living families from the entire Federation of BiH, with the aim of strengthening the child’s rights, and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
The Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy Adnan Delić pointed out that the field of fostelity in the Federation of BiH was significantly improved, and that about 350 foster families currently operate.
“When we talk about foster care, we are talking about the essence of the company’s concerns about your children,” Delic emphasized, reminding that earlier this area was arranged only by the basic legal framework, without clear rules and systemic support for fosters.
Minister Delic announced an almost amendment to the FUN FATHER IN FBiH in the parliamentary procedure, with the aim of further strengthening the family care system, including compulsory education systems, clearer procedures before children’s accommodation, greater the protection of the children’s rights and support.
“Foster care is not only to provide a home, it is investing in children who will have a childhood and tomorrow to be functional, healthy individuals of this society. It is the benefit of the entire community,” Delic said.
The representative of UNICEF in BiH Marc Lucet stressed that the family concern is the basic right of every child and a key factor in their healthy development.
“There is nothing more important for one child than family care and care. It is a child law, but also a scientifically confirmed need, because 90 percent of the brain development takes place in the early years of childhood,” Lucet said.
He pointed out the importance of foster care as a part of the system that allows the most vulnerable children to develop full potential, and called on support for the proposed legal amendments.
“I am impressed by what we all work together and achieve. We strengthen the foster care system and contribute to the implementation of the Development Strategy in the Federation of BiH, which is important for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Lucet said.
The conference was also attended by the representative of the Delegation of the European Union to BiH Stefano Ellero, who said that the rights of children and strengthening social protection are crucial in the process of European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The topic of today’s conference, fosterism, represents a key element of improving living conditions and opportunities for children who grow up in unfavorable social or economic circumstances,” Eller pointed out.
He added that the European Union, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and UNICEF, invests 10 million KM in strengthening the social protection system and professional staff.
“We remain committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina support. We hope that the competent European path will continue, which is currently slowed, and we expect positive news through the adoption of the Growth of Western Balkans,” Eller said.
The President of the Association for Advisory and Educational Support for FIELD FBiH Suada Selimović pointed out the importance of systemic support to foster and children’s rights in the Federation of BiH.
“Fosterity is more than home providing, it is commitment, understanding and love for a child who needs security and opportunity for healthy development,” Selimovic said.
He welcomed the announced legal amendments, especially the introduction of mandatory educations for foster and strengthening the rights of children, thanks UNICEF and the Delegation of the European Union on continuous support.
“Our children deserve the best possible conditions for growing up, and we have a responsibility as society to enable them,” Selimović concluded.
The “foster care in the FBiH” was realized with the support of the European Union, within the project that strengthens the social and child protection system and the prevention of children’s institutionalization, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
