UNION OF MOTHER CENTRES, Slovakia citizens association Introduction

1. UNION OF MOTHER CENTRES, SlovakiacitizensassociationIntroduction PhDr. Soňa Holíková

2. Union of Mother Centres (next as ÚMC) Mission: achieve respect and acknowledgement of motherhood in society, jointly form supportive conditions for motherhood in the highest interest of the child, mother and family Legal personality: citizens non-profit association Targetgroup: Maternity and familycentres No. ofmembers: 70 No. ofsupporters: 12

3. Union of maternity centres Member´s distribution: ÚMC campaignes: A mile for a Mum Enter with a child With kindness into life Academy of practical parenthood Public „magnetic“ collection

4. ÚMC members – mother and family centres (next as MC/RC) • Independent citizens non-profit associations • created „from below“ usually as an initiative and interest of parents • there´s no connection to state, city or village budgets • managed by VOLUNTEERS • provide services to wide public • women who set up and manage MC/RC and ÚMC often look like this: 

5. Activities in mother and family centres Target group: Parents and children (usually 0-3-6 yrs) Courses: With exercise, language, musical and artistic, creative focus for parents and children Support groups for specific groups of parents: Breastfeeding mothers, adoptive parents, Parents of twins and multiplets, parents of handicap children etc. Events for public: Social, sport, cultural Social, legal and psychological counselling Education of parents – PARENTAL EDUCATION

6. MC as a benefit to a child Space for the first secure socialization of children in the presence of parents An addition to the social care system A tool for the removal of social change consequences An inspiring space for parents and their children

7. What do people do joined in ÚMC? • Spreading MC /RC ideas • volunteer management education, grant project application, communication skills, PR, community work, lawmaking consultancy • maintain information awareness of its members (www.materskecentra.sk, magazine Materské centrá, internal e-conference)

8. What do people do joined in ÚMC? • Co-ordinate common activities, A mile for a mum, campaign Enter with a child, Academy of practical parenthood,

9. Academyofpracticalparenthood Course of 30 lessons accredited by Slovak Ministry of education „ How to understand my children and myself“ Training manual for course instructors

10. A mile for a Mum Our goal • achieve respect and acknowledgement of motherhood in society, • celebrate motherhood

11. Enterwith a child Thekey theme is to create a children and family friendly society in the widest sense • The goal of this campaign : research, motivate and reward • catering, • accommodation and • other organizations, • which take into consideration families with children whilst providing their services and offer conditions which respect their specific needs • Organizations which succeed themandatory criteria within its category, obtain a Certificate and a label with the logo of thecampaign.

12. What do people do joined in ÚMC? • help and support newly MC a RC • emergency help (encouraging letters to local government) • providing education and counselling • communication with public figures, media and other non-governmental organizations in Slovakia and abroad and this way increase awareness about MC and situation with mothers in Slovakia, • on non-discriminating base helping to protect the rights and improve the situation of all the mothers particularly by counselling, education and informative activities, organizing social events.

13. Best regards  Union of Mother Centres