“The Smile of the Child” welcomes and introduces the team of “Apprentis d’ Auteuil” to its actions for children in Greece
02 November 2018
“Apprentis d’ Auteuil”, the oldest Organization for children and families in France visited the premises and actions of “The Smile of the Child” in Greece from 24 to 26 October in the framework of the bilateral cooperation between the two Organizations.
More sprecifically, the Director-General of Mr. Nicolas Truelle and the Project Manager for Southern Europe, Ms. Laura Hendricksen, were welcomed by the President of the BoD of “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Costas Yannopoulos at the premises of the Organization in Athens.
Mr. Yannopoulos presented the work of the Organization in the field of child protection and care as well as the needs and challenges in order to ensure the well-being of children and families in Greece in the midst a double crisis in the country, the socio-economic crisis and the migration crisis.
Particular emphasis was put to the holistic model developed by “The Smile of the Child” and more specifically the actions of the Organization in the field of medical care, the challenges for the protection and well-being of children in institutionalized care and good practices in the field of prevention, therapy for victimized children, education and empowerment of children and families both in Greece and France.
“The Smile of the Child” and have established a bilateral cooperation for the benefit of children which was recently solidified through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims at enhancing on topics related to the training of professionals, the exchange of expertise in the field of child protection and the organization of bilateral study visits with the goal to exchange good practices.
The representatives of Apprentis d'Auteuil were thoroughly informed on the actions of “The Smile of the Child” and had the opportunity to visit the Operational Emergency Center for children at risk, a Support Center for Children and Families and one of the Homes for children of the Organization the Day Center “The House of the Child” for children victims of violence in Athens as well as one of the Daycare Homes of the Organization located in Mytikas, Chalkis.
During the visit the scientific and field personnel of “The Smile of the Child” presented the principles, modus operandi, infrastructure and specific actions that the Organization implements in a nationwide level for children victims of violence, missing children, children with serious health problems and children and families living in poverty or threated by poverty and social exclusion.
Both teams exchanged views on good practices that empower children and families, protect vulnerable groups of children and the youth, prevent worrying phenomena as well as issues related to the support and training of the professionals, including the caregivers and field workers.
In addition, both groups showed interest in developing joints programs in the field of counseling and support to children and families and organizing exchange visits for professionals of both Organizations in Greece and France respectively.
“Apprentis d’ Auteuil” was founded in 1866, and it was recognized since 1929 by the French State as a foundation of public utility, acting in close proximity to children, young people and their families in vulnerable situations in more than 250 services in France. The organization operates in the fields of child protection, education, training and insertion and support of families in their parental role.
