UNICEF PRESENTS ANNUAL REPORT ON STATUS OF CHILDREN IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - UNICEF in Croatia on Friday presented its annual report on the status of children in the world, in which the status of children in Croatia is also discussed. UNICEF head in Croatia Deseniss Gros said the situation in Croatia was good because 98 percent of children attend school, which means the system is developed and functions well. UNICEF's annual report pointed out in Croatia, where children have lived through the horrors of war, an inovative project had been launched. The project offers children in some primary schools a 20-week training programme aimed at dealing with psychological stress, promoting an unbiased approach, peaceful resolution of conflicts and achieving peace. This is one of several methods used to reduce the influence of war on children, stated the report. The project began in 1996, in co-operation with the Croatian Education Ministry, in one of Croatia's war-affected regions. In the 1997/98 school year the project grew to encompass all Croatian war-affected regions. (hina) jn ab/ha