Tirana, 31 July 2014 – The Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania – CRCA and ALO 116 – Albanian National Child Helpline awarded today to Mr. Detlef Palm, UNICEF Representative in Albania, the “Child Rights Award 2014”, which would like to be a public acknowledgement for the commitment and continued support he has shown during his mission in Albania in regard to the promotion of children’s rights in the country. The “Child Rights Award 2014” is recognition to an individual and his work, in changing children’s lives and enhancing the respect of child rights in the country.
Detlef Palm has worked for 29 years in development and humanitarian aid programmes. He has given his contribution with UNICEF for over 26 years, in Africa, NYHQ, and in Albania. He continues to actively contribute to organizational change. He helped to advance organizational discussions related to UN coherence and UNICEF’s role in middle income countries. He has authored UNICEF guidance on Results Based Programme Management, and guidance on Participation of Children and Young People, Pilot Projects, and Reaching Marginalized Children and their Families. Moreover, he contributed to the development of the Human Rights Approach. From 1993 worked in Malawi and Namibia. Well documented achievements include the introduction of free primary education in Malawi, and education for marginalized children in Namibia. He holds the title Master of Science in Mathematics and is married, with four grown-up children.
While awarded the special prize, Mr. Palm thanked the participants and the work that CRCA and UNICEF have been doing during these years. “I am happy that we have supported a unique service so professional and important for the lives of children in Albania. For us ALO 116 is a star in the sky, always there for every child in Albania.”
CRCA Albania dedicates the “Child Rights Award 2014” to Mr. Detlef Palm for the commitment and dedication that he has shown to the children’s rights cause. A dedication that comes after decades of work for the advancement of the respect for children’s rights across different countries of the world. The support to the establishment of social services like ALO 116, a unique helpline in Albania, are closely related to the determination and tenacity that Mr. Palm has shown in regards to pushing preventive policies and the protection and reduction of child abuse in the country. Mr. Palm has shown more than once his confidence and maximum support for the advancement of children’s rights in Albania. Furthermore, his appearance at public events, various hearing session, and the convincing, realistic and concrete arguments on the need to strengthen legislation and provide various services for children in the framework of preventing violence, neglect and ensure children’s wellbeing confirms his dedication.
The “Child Rights Award 2014” is given for the first time in Albania by CRCA and would like to mobilize people, individuals or activists that everyday work for children’s rights and have never been acknowledged publicly from civil society organizations or state institutions. This award is an appreciation for the contribution that Mr. Detlef Palm has given for the advancement of children’s rights in Albania.
