Round table under the title „A child is a gift, not a commodity.“
Since its inception, Luč pre Dieťa has dealt with unauthorized removals of Slovak children abroad. Our organization has been helping families in difficult life situations for a long time, such as domestic violence, children removed from their families. I am of the opinion that every child has the right to grow up in his country, in his culture in his native language. Due to my rich experience, in cooperation with the Children’s Commissariat, I invited the institutions to a joint meeting at the round table.
The Commissioner deals not only with the rights of children located on the territory of the Slovak Republic, but with all Slovak children. This also means children from families who went abroad, but kept their Slovak citizenship. Last year, our authorities provided cooperation in 128 new cases of removal of minor children from Slovak families. This is still an alarmingly high number. We must pay attention to preventive measures, especially the education of Slovaks living abroad, as well as those who are still planning to leave, so that they perceive the legislative differences of individual countries.
A strong topic that is focused on lost, or in the best case, taken away Slovak children in the social system of the countries of the current and former monarchy, or the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, simply countries where there are a large number of expatriates who live in these areas. The participants of the meeting were representatives of concerned institutions such as CIPC, UKPD, MFA SR, well-known child psychiatrist MUDr. Terézia Rosenbergerová and Iveta Galbavá, where the consular workers themselves, who had the opportunity to join the discussion online, also talked about specific cases in the given areas. As an organizer and long-time campaigner for the return of Slovak children taken abroad, Dagmar Szabó, a Slovak living in England, chairperson and founder of Lúča pre Dieťa, I pointed out specific shortcomings in the legislation, while realistically presenting how the entire process of child removal will take place in England. In many cases, withdrawals are banality from the point of view of our culture. Therefore, it is very important to know the systems of the countries in which we decide to start a family. Each country has its own system. And what powers do we have and what should we do in such a case first, all of that took place today at the Children’s Commissioner’s floor. Please address this issue, because our children can never become the object of trade…
Founder Dagmar Szabó, chairman of the non-profit organization Sunray for children
Family is the most important thing in my life. Children are the only thing that will remain with us forever. I have lived actively all my life and that has remained with me to this day. I cannot stand idly by as innocent children are humiliated and abused. Years ago, I felt what powerlessness is when it comes to family life abroad. I founded A Ray for sunshine for a Child in Great Britain in 2016 based on my own experience. I transformed this organization into the Sunray for Children charity. This experience moved me in a new direction in life. I founded the non-profit organization Luč pre Dieťa in 2015 in Slovakia, thus fulfilling my wish to help vulnerable, humiliated, abused, abused children and fight for their rights.
Since then, I’ve been following a few ideas of my own, such as: Never give up… there is always a way!A child is a GIFT, not a commodity!
Komisia pre školstvo a vzdelávanie ÚSŽZ – Sekcia pre západnú Európu a zámorie“ met in Bratislava on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the 8th meeting of the School Commission.
According to information from ISEIA, 1075 pupils are currently educated full-time in these centers, of which 332 children are in pre-school age, 503 are pupils in the 1st grade and 280 are pupils in the second grade of education according to Slovak system. The number of teachers in these centers is 204, of which 120 are qualified teachers with a specialised degree. 257 pupils receove the online education in these centres.
The meeting was chaired by Peter Prochácka, a Vice-President of „Úrad pre Slovákov žijúcich v zahraničí“(The Office for Slovaks Living Abroad).
Firstly he handed over the appointment decree to this section president, Jarmila Buchová from Munich, who also serves as the president of the ISEIA Association of Educational Centers (detailed information about ISEIA’s activities and projects can be seen on the www.iseia.eu‚s website).
I congratulate in this way to the Section president Jarmila Buchova and I wish her every success.
I would like to thank the coordinators of the meeting for the opportunity to attend this session, to present my school „Klobúčik – Taunton UK – Škola Hrou“.
In my personal opinion, one‘s family is the most important thing in their life. My children will be the only reminder of me on this Earth, forever. I have led a very active life and that attitude has stuck with me until today. I can no longer stand idly and let innocent children being humiliated and abused.
Years ago I experienced what it is to feel helpless while living abroad with my family, when things turn to bad due to misunderstandings. So yes, I do know what many of these families and their children experience.
Based on this knowledge, which pushed me to a new direction in life, in 2015 I started to run a successful NGO based in Slovakia and England which lasted for a few years. I helped a many families and people in difficult situations and I fulfilled my wish to help vulnerable, humiliated and abused children. Ever since I fight for the true implementation of human rights of children and their families in real life.
As my NGO grew, the development of events naturally led towards our formal registration with The Charity Commission. In 2022, I founded „Sunray for Children“, a registered charity in England and Wales number 120126.
Since then, I’ve been guided by a few of my own thoughts, such as:
„Never give up….there is always a way!“
This idea always encourages me to look for the best options and paths that will lead towards the best interest for the child.
„A child is a GIFT, not a commodity!“
This motto is the motto of my inner self. It occured to me when I realized that a child, in some circumstances, can become a number. We as a society should attempt to prevent that in the most positive way.
„Lúč pre dieťa“, or „Sunray for Children“ represents a bright beam into the night. A tiny, but intense yellow light from the Sun that shines and brings us out of the darkness. Yellow is the color of the Light from The Sun. That’s why I love the color yellow.
A lot of time has passed since I started help slovakian but also other bacground families to integrate in the UK and the founding of „Lúč pre dieťa“, or „Sunray for Children“ is a result of these years of hard work. A large number of parents, as well as children, turned to me. Every story is different. Most of all, it is difficult for me to bear the pain of innocent children suffering for mistakes of us, the adults. I can’t help everyone, it is not in my power. But I am grateful for every child who lives happilly with their parents or relatives, and in their own safe circle with their loved ones.
My deepest wish is that children know only the tears of happiness……..
Sunray for Children Dagmar Szabo Chair and Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, PhDr. Robert Ondrejcsák, PhD.
Posted on March 29, 2023 by Dagmar Szabo
As part of a business trip to the UK, our chairwoman of organisation “Lúč pre Dieťa” and the charity “Sunray for Children” registered in England and Wales, on 15th March 2023 met officially with the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, PhDr. Robert Ondrejcsák, PhD.
Our representative informed the Ambassador about our activities in the Great Britain. We extend a helping hand to families with children in a difficult situation. We strive to prevent misunderstandings which may lead to injustice and help people with advisory and real action where necessary.
In Slovakia, we are there to help parents with children with adjustments if they wish to return to their home county. Most often these are children after divorce, separations where domestic violence occurred. These are very complex and challenging cases where we approach individually.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of St James’s Róbert Ondrejcsák agreed to arrange another meeting with chairwoman of “Sunray for Children” Dagmar Szabo, which will take place soon.
Sunray for Children has been addressing the Office of the Commissioner for Children with the problematic issues related to the helpless minors. The international issue of children returning to their country of origin is often a complex one. Children can travel with parents for various reasons, arriving to different countries. The Commissariat can assist in these complicated international cases and correct the situation to put the record right for the best interest of the child. Commissioner for Children Odborárske námestie 3 811 07 Bratislava IČO: 50159399 Nonstop: +421 (0) 950 439 342 Tel: +421 (0)2/ 32 19 16 91 Fax:+421 (0)2/32 19 16 99 Mail: info@komisarpredeti.sk https://komisarpredeti.sk/kontakt/ Author: Dagmar Szabo
On October 28 and 29, 2022, the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad organized the permanent conference Slovak Republic and Slovaks Living Abroad 2022. This is the most important forum where representatives of Slovak expatriate communities from all over the world, personalities from Slovak abroad meet, active friends of Slovaks living abroad and representatives of state authorities of the Slovak Republic to discuss together the problems of expatriate life, so that Slovaks living abroad not only boast about the results of their activities, but also inform about the problems they face while doing so. Together, solutions to problems and ways in which the Slovak Republic can support the activities of compatriots aimed at the preservation and development of Slovakness, Slovak culture, customs and language are being sought. Lúč pre Dieťa and Sunray for a Child were represented the conference by the chairwoman Dagmar Szabó.
During the conference, compatriots and representatives presented their contributions. Dagmar Szabó also has the opportunity to present the charity Sunray for Children and Lúť pre Dieťa. During her speech, she pointed out the issue of families and life with children abroad.
