Debate at the Romanian Parliament, as part of the advocacy approach to increase access of children from vulnerable groups to education

Debate at the Romanian Parliament, as part of the advocacy approach to increase access of children from vulnerable groups to education

On Monday, the 4th of March 2019, as part of the advocacy approach to increase access of children from vulnerable groups to education, a debate on “Ensuring the right to education for ALL children – an objective of national interest” was organized at the Palace of Parliament, under the Commission for Human Rights, Cults and Problems of National Minorities. Representatives of the three NGOs consortia implementing projects with financial support offered by the Inclusion of Roma and other vulnerable groups Thematic Fund – Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union  (HEKS consortium, Terre des hommes consortium and Caritas consortium) attended the debate, together with other NGOs in the field of education, representatives of state institutions with responsibilities in the field and members of the Parliament.

During the discussions, the need for a national program to ensure access to education for all children was highlighted. Representatives of NGOs received for consultation a draft law on the granting of educational vouchers, used to pay for public or private “School after school” programs.