JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY

The First IPA Grant for Protection of Montenegro’s Children

PODGORICA, October 8, 2008 – Minister of Justice, Mr. Miras Radovic, Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Miodrag Radunovic, Head of the EC Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Leopold Maurer and UNICEF Montenegro Representative Ms Noala Skinner will present the project “Juvenile Justice System Reform” in the Apart Hotel Premier in Podgorica on Wednesday October 8 at 11.30 AM.

The project is aimed at increasing the number of children at risk benefiting from programmes that will prevent them from coming into conflict with the law, as well as at improving the treatment of children and the availability of community-based alternatives for them.

In 18 months, the project will lead to the production of Montenegro’s Juvenile Justice Code. Programmes for prevention of juvenile delinquency and child rights and community based programmes of work with children in conflict with the law will be developed. Also, trainings for judges, prosecutors, police, correctional staff, probation officers, social workers, community representatives, students and staff working in institutions for children in conflict with the law will be organized. Moreover, these trainings will become part of mandatory curricula for all the professionals studying for work with juvenile justice cases. Finally, the project will contribute to raising awareness of the public about the importance of giving the “second chance” and supporting rehabilitation and reintegration of juveniles in conflict with the law.

500.000 euros project is financed from IPA funds for Montenegro. This is the first IPA grant that Montenegro received from the EC.

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For additional information, please contact:

Ms. Jelena Perović, Communication Officer, UNICEF Montenegro; Phone: +382 20 224 277 Ext. 3; Fax: +382 20 224 278; Mobile: +382 69 225 315; Email: ; Website: www.unicef.org/montenegro

Dragan Mugoša, Information Officer, Delegacija Evropske Komisije u Crnoj Gori; Telefon: +382 20 444 600; Fax:+382 20 444 666; Mobilni: 067 248 840; E-mail: