The Capacities of the Children’s Ombudsmen,Their Deputies and The Presidents of Classes Were Increased Through Training

In order to strengthen the capacities of the children's ombudsmen and their deputies in the period from 26 - 28 October, a process of strengthening their capacities was carried out.

For children's ombudsmen and their deputies, a two-day training was held on the topic "The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Specific Role of the Children's Ombudsmen", which included the children's ombudsmen, their deputies, and the presidents of classes from the schools involved. A total of 20 participants from the two secondary schools in the City of Skopje participate in the training ("Vlado Tasevski" high school and "Pance Arsovski" high school). On this training, the participants gained knowledge about the history, structure, principles and role of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The children's rights regarding the survival and development, the rights of the child regarding the protection, the rights related to participation and the rights related to the educational process were considered in detail. A special part of the training was provided for transferring the knowledge of the Convention on the rights of the child to their peers.

Also, the participants gained knowledge about the specific role of the Ombudsman as well as the Ombudsman function, with an emphasis on the specific role of the Deputy Ombudsman (Child Protection Division), the role of the child ombudsman in the school, the procedure for filing complaints, how children can recognize when their rights are violated and how to intervene. A special part of the training was provided for the development of communication of children's ombudsmen with the Deputy Ombudsman and promotion of children's ombudsmen in the schools.

This training was delivered by a representative from the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Macedonia. (from the Department for protection of children's rights).

We expect to develop a communication plan with the children's ombudsmen and a representative from the department for protection of children's rights.