With slogans “The Ark Changes”, The interim administration of the World Ark on Thursday presented a six-month progress report, taking stock of the measures it has taken for children in the first six months of its term.

Read in detail the attached Semester Progress Report, November 2022 – May 2023

Among other things, according to the announcement, the aim of the temporary administration was to ensure the proper functioning of the Ark based on the legislation and the principles of transparency, accountability and sound financial management and to speed up the processes of adoptions and adoptions, within the Ministry Work in collaboration with the Regions.

The interim Board of Directors estimates that it will have completed the work assigned to it by the state by the end of the term of November 2023.

The announcement in detail

“By its decision, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs appointed in November 2022 a new temporary administration to the Ark of the World, whose members are people with many years of experience in child protection agencies in Greece.

With a primary concern for the care of the children supported by the Ark, in 7 Hospitality Houses nationwide, the Center for Creative Employment, and the Children’s Center, the new administration undertook to continue the operation of the organization, as well as to implement the special legislation for children protection throughout its activity.

Alexandra Martinou, President of the Board of Directors, states: “This crisis affects the children of Kivotos first of all. For the sake of these children we responded to the state’s request to take over the management of this transition period. For this reason, we are working intensively to lay the foundations for a model agency for child protection in Greece, which will breathe transparency and extroversion. Our priority is the children.”

To be able to fulfill the important task assigned to it by the political leadership, the administration of the Ark of the World has proceeded with specific, necessary actions, focusing on the following:

Creating a safe, modern and appropriate environment for children. Ensuring the proper functioning of the Ark based on legislation and the principles of transparency, accountability and sound financial management.

Working with qualified and appropriate personnel for all roles and all structures of the organization.

Speeding up fostering and adoption procedures, always in accordance with the framework of the Ministry of Labor in cooperation with the Regions and with the best interests of the child in mind.

The interim Board of Directors estimates that it will have completed the work assigned to it by the state by the end of its term in November 2023.

Maria Chatzinikolaki, General Director of the Ark of the World, says: “The case of the Ark affected the entire ecosystem of social giving in Greece. The confidence of the people was shaken. But the children of the Ark remain here and need to feel safe. This is a collective obligation. We are doing everything in our power, but we need the support of the state and society to succeed, because child protection is the business of all of us.”

A big thank you to everyone who continues to stand by the children of Kivotos during this demanding transitional period.”