CRIN - Child Rights Information Network - Organisations - HFC Hope For Children UNCRC Policy Center

Further details: The HFC "Hope for Children"- UNCRC Policy Center is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental organisation based in Nicosia, Cyprus Reg.No. H.E. 243637. Our organisation works on humanitarian and development policy relevant to the defense and promotion children's rights. It does so through research, grassroots program design and implementation and advisory services offered to governments and international organisations.

Vision / Purpose
The vision of the HFC-UNCRCPC is to raise awareness within the Cypriot community on disadvantaged children's suffering. It seeks to promote humanitarian values and charity among Cypriots, and to promote integration and inclusion of migrant children (asylum seekers, refugees and migrants ) into the Cypriot society. The needs of enclaved children in the occupied territories of Cyprus are given particular attention.

Mission Statement
The HFC-UNCRCPC aims to advocate and to protect children's rights based on the standards and principles of the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child and EU Directives. The protection of children's rights holds a special place in international conventions. HFC-UNCRCPC's doors are open to all children regardless of religious and cultural background HFC-OCR also aims to improve the quality of life of socially disadvantaged children, such as asylum seekers, refugees and enclaved children in Cyprus as well as those in war-torn areas. Through education and social mobilization, HFC-UNCRCPC will work on raising awareness and promoting respect towards all cultures, religions and diversity in the Cypriot society.

Objectives:
. Empower children and young people in Cyprus to make their views heard and to actively engage in promoting their rights.
. Educate and raise awareness among Cypriots regarding disadvantaged children's suffering in Cyprus, especially of those originating from conflict-torn areas.
. Sensitize the Cypriot public and enhance social responsibility in Cyprus society through information dissemination and social activities.
. Improve disadvantaged children's quality of life in Cyprus.
. Conduct research concerning children's rights in Cyprus and conflict areas across the globe.
. Provide policy advice and recommendations at local, regional and international level.
. Collaborate and establish networks with other humanitarian organizations and agencies throughout the world in order to defend and promote children's right globally.
. Improve the reception of children from conflict areas in Cyprus
.Promote volunteerism within the Cypriot community, particularly among youngsters, on issues concerning traumatized children.
. Support the development of new initiatives and organizations that seek to protect and promote disadvantaged children's rights.
. Provide reports to relevant government departments to assist in policy development.
. Organise fundraising events.

Activities:
. Establish networks with NGOs in Cyprus and worldwide in order to exchange knowledge and expertise.
. Create a youth forum offering opportunities to children to express and share their views with others.
. Facilitate opportunities for trans-national support and exchange on policies.
. Conduct surveys relevant to disadvantaged children's needs.
. Organise exhibitions, symposiums, conferences and seminars to raise awareness and disseminate information.
. Organise events, such as summer camps/academy, as a means of enhancing integration between migrant (asylum seekers and refugee children) and Cypriot children.
. Provide reports to relevant government departments.
. Conduct research on issues such as the integration of the foreign/migrant children in Cypriots schools.
. Provide research/internship opportunities for graduate and PhD students with an interest in this field.
. Establish links with parliamentary communities, advisory groups, think-tanks and other relevant organisations.
. Attend training seminars for knowledge development.
. Represent the views of the organization to international institutions through both formal and informal structures as well as through written material.
. Obtain funds through donations, subscriptions, legacies, grants and any other lawful methods.
. Organise humanitarian missions at local and international level.
. Recruit volunteers.

Operational level: International

Works with age groups : Children 0 - 18

Organisation type: NGO - non governmental organisation

Organisation mandate: Fund other organisations

Areas of expertise: Armed conflict, Child participation, Children and the media, Children living with HIV/AIDS, Children with disabilities, Children working and living on the street, Emergency relief, Environment and habitat, Family and alternative care, Gender and girls, Health and welfare, Implementation, Justice, Minority or indigenous children, Refugee and unaccompanied children, Reporting to and monitoring the CRC, Sexual exploitation and abuse, Violence

Other organisations based in Cyprus:

Organisations working in similar fields:

Last updated 22/12/2011 05:18:06

CRIN does not accredit or validate any of the organisations listed in our directory. The views and activities of the listed organisations do not necessarily reflect the views or activities of CRIN's coordination team.