One of the key areas for the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation is advocacy — activity aimed at representing and protecting the interests of Ukrainian children in our country and around the world. For this purpose, we constantly:
- Monitor the situation with children’s rights — we analyze data, document war crimes against children and in the field of childhood protection, describe and report on violations of children’s rights to safe living conditions, medical care, education, recreation, etc. Since the beginning of the full scale war, the Foundation has been preparing monthly reports describing the situation, problems and needs of our children in Ukraine and abroad. We interview families, professionals, collect statistical data and provide recommendations on further steps of the state in the area of protecting the rights and freedoms of children in the state. Reports can be viewed by the link.
- Draw attention to the problems of children, and in particular in a state of war — an important component of advocacy is a constant reminder that adults can and should influence our children to have a childhood. To do this, we hold all-Ukrainian flash mobs, organize charity auctions, participate in press conferences, shoot films and videos concerning the protection of children’s rights, as well as regularly give interviews and comments to the media in Ukraine and abroad.
One of the loudest events was the premiere of the documentary film “A House Made of Splinters”, shot in partnership with the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation.
This film tells the stories of our wards from the orphanage. Their house was blown into millions of pieces. And in this orphanage, the splinters were gathered — stories of lives, souls and hearts. Now they create a warm space together.
- Make children’s voices heard — for this purpose, the Foundation has a Children Advisory Council, or, as it calls itself — Little Voices. We want to hear what children say and engage them in discussing important issues in their lives. For example, we consulted with the Council on St. Nicholas Day gifts for children and social media content. We are convinced that voices of children should sound louder in the public space, so we encourage them to express their opinion publicly. For example, members of the Advisory Council represented the Foundation at the International Forum on Children’s Rights, created by the European Commission.
In order to strengthen the voices of young Ukrainians, we also shoot videos, record their stories and even quotes about how bravely they face the circumstances, how they help others, what they strive for and how they can be helped. And although their stories are not always happy, because children grow up near to the war, these children are very strong and stubbornly resist the circumstances. They suffered because of the war, but they do not give up. And thanks to the support of those who care, the Foundation helps these children get back on their feet. For us, they are winners, and every success story gives us a resource and motivation to work every day.
- Combine our efforts — our strength is in unity and achieving one goal — to make children’s lives happy and joyful. We are happy to cooperate with public and charitable organizations in Ukraine and abroad. We are members of the Eurochild international network of organizations and individuals, which protects and supports the rights of children throughout Europe. The Voices of Children also joined the Ukrainian Child Rights Network. The members of this union are more than 20 powerful organizations that seriously influence the state policy in the field of ensuring children’s rights in Ukraine. We also participate and exchange experience in the Global Protection Cluster — a network of non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and UN agencies that deal, in particular, with the protection of children in humanitarian crises.
