THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA AWARDS THE ORDER OF "SPECIAL CIVIL MERITS" TO CRCA/ECPAT ALBANIA ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Tirana, March 8, 2022 - The President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ilir Meta, choose the International Day of Women and Girls, to award CRCA/ECPAT Albania the order "For Special Civil Merits". This day also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the organisation, in March 1997.

CRCA/ECPAT Albania is the oldest organization in the country working to protect the rights of children and young people. Since its establishment, more than 20,000 children and young people have benefited from the services and dedication of our staff throughout Albania.

The motivation of the Order read: “For its 25-years contribution for the protection of the rights of children and youth in Albania, the unstoppable struggle to improve national standards and services for the protection of children and youth from all forms of violence and advancing gender equality and increasing the participation of children, young people, girls and women in decision-making.”

The President of Albania in his speech, emphasizing the commitment of civil society to promote the rights of women and girls, children and youth, added: “I thank CRCA/ECPAT Albania for the important role in democratising society and the support it gives to children and youth in Albania, to become masters of the struggle for more democracy and more respect for human rights in our country. The struggle and efforts of civil society, sometimes in opposition to the Government institutions, should not be seen as a danger, but rather as an added value to our democracy, that is still young and fragile."

Upon receiving the Order, the Executive Director of CRCA/ECPAT Albania, Altin Hazizaj, thanked the President of the Republic, while mentioning: "This assessment does not go only to CRCA/ECPAT Albania, but to the whole civil society in our country, which faces great challenges every day in our mission to protect and guaranteeing children and human rights. "Working and seeking every day to change the mindset that children have equal rights is not a job, but a war that we must all unite and win!"

For more information, contact:

Altin Hazizaj, Executive Director

CRCA / ECPAT Albania

E-mail: crca@crca.al

Contact with the Media:

Albana Mustafaraj

E-mail: albana.mustafaraj@crca.al