Proceedings of the 49th International Academic Conference, Dubrovnik

THE SOCIAL CARE SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE IN NORTH MACEDONIA

ABDULA AZIZI, LINDITA NEZIRI-CEKA

Abstract:

Since children are an important part of any society, there should be no lack of institutions, mechanisms and activities responsible for building public policies for children without parental care. Positive laws in the North Macedonia have also included some of the international standards (reflected in relevant international conventions); and there is also a care system for children without parents; while there are also missing "symbolic" budgetary tools foreseen to develop activities in this area. However, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, as well as other transition countries, continues to have problems in sound structuring of social policies in general and in particular faces difficulties with the care of children without parents. This study aims through the analysis of official data to highlight the problems faced by children without parental care; the level of realization of children's rights in the respective institutions; and make recommendations regarding the improvement of the social care system. Through an analysis of the fundamental problems faced by relevant institutions in the practical implementation of social services for children without parental care, I claim to encourage improvements in government policies for sound institutional, professional and financial support for a worthy human parental care treatment; as well as to provide the reader and the academic community with information on the current state of play in this sector of social care. In this paper, statistical data have been analyzed by the State Statistical Office and interviews were conducted with the authorities of the institutions responsible for the care of children without parents. The methodology used in this study is: review of data from reports - statistics, documents, strategies, budget, positive laws review, and interviews with officials in the framework of care institutions. It is concluded that current policies are not suitable for the proper treatment of children without parents, therefore a more proactive and inclusive approach is required from relevant political and institutional actors in this area.

Keywords: Children, Parental Care, North Macedonia

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2019.049.003

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