When you say that you are a child from a foster home, people don’t give you an opportunity to show in any job, they don’t let you go forward, because they don’t trust you, because they think that children from foster homes are criminals, they are bad, this and that.
The First Children Embassy in the World-Megjashi conducts the seventh annual sale of New Year cards for accomplishing their activities (all of the embassy’s activities are free of charge). Cards income is allocated for: S.O.S child and youth helpline 0800 1 22 22 (free helpline) Fighting against paedophilia and all types of violence over children The purposes of the daily centre in the embassy for children abstaining school The free legal service in the embassy
Minor girl was for months surviving the sexual torture of her stepfather. He threatened he would not give her money and allowance to socialize with friends. Therefore, the 51-year-old pedophile from Skopje used the time when the mother was at work and was raping the girl younger than 14 years.He was violently undressing her, touching the breasts and genitals. During the sexual act he was holding the hand of his mouth about not being able to shout for help.The series of horrifying cases of rape and pedophilia were reported by her 32-year-old mother, who heard for them on the 5th of this month.That was the day when the girl was raped last time. After she took her half-brother to school she returned home to sleep. Suddenly, her stepfather burst into the room and woke her up afterwards the forced sexual intercourse began.But his step-daughter was not the only victim in this case. On the 30th last month he threatened her to bring a friend who also raped after having previously locked the front door of the house.The stepfather is now arrested in a police station in Gazi Baba and already brought in front of an investigative judge.
On September 29, 2011 the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi was visited by Mrs. Emine Erdogan, wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Mrs. Borkica Gruevska, wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Gruevski. They were accompanied by the wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Macedonia His Excellency Mr. Arslan Hakan and the wives of several Turkish ministers.
On September 29, 2011, The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and South Eastern Europe Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (SEEC) in the premises of the Children’s Embassy Megjashi had a meeting during which it was discussed about the possibilities of implementation of the number 116 000 for a helpline of missing children in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the possibilities for establishing Macedonian National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
1. Children are unprotected and constantly exposed to violence and abused mostly from adults 2. The biggest number of charges concern problems in family (18,18%) where the family relations are disturbed 3. Children remain silent and endure violence. They rarely charge violence, because they are afraid, but those who do are usually close with the family, witnesses of the aggression children are exposed to 4. Only 8 children-victims of family violence were brave enough and report violence themselves.
On Monday (13 June 2011) the First Children's Embassy in the World sent a letter of appeal to Mr. Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia and Ms. Gordana Jankulovska, Minister of Interior to seek accountability from the competent authorities for the death of the young man Martin Neshkovski, to hear the voices of the youth who demonstrate against the excessive use of force by the police units “TIGERS” within the Ministry of Interior, to discuss constructively the youth’s demands and to hear their opinion and indignation.
Date: 05.06.2011, Newspaper Dnevnik, Journalist Marija TACEV There is no cure for child drug addicts The 14 year old boy from Shuto Orizari, who for at least 2 years has been a heavy heroin addict, died a few days ago in terrible pain and agony. This is the second tragic case. Just a few weeks ago another minor boy who was a long time drug addict died. The information of the activists from the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi are even more worrisome- bad fate threatens another ten year old girl who has been a heroin addict for the past two years and whose health is worrisome.
1. 19 years of the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi - Republic of Macedonia 2. They said about FCEWM 3. Trust in the civil society 4. Violence in the schools 5. Center for Social Work works inefficiently 6. Monitoring of CRC 7. SOS helpline for children and youth 0800 1 2222 (free toll) 8. Peace Education 9. The deportation of the children from Sweden delayed 10. Global Action Week 2011 11. The fight against the sexual abuse of children, pedophile attacks and incest continues 12. Children without identity 13. Child Trafficking 14. Teenage pregnancy 15. Family violence 16. Child victim and witness 17. Magazine of the Ombudsman
Wed, 04/05/2011 - 12:52pm Last Monday, May 2, the First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashii marked the start of the Macedonian segment of the global action to raise public awareness about the need to cover all children with obligatory education. This year’s action topic is “Education for Women and Girls”, with official motto “It’s a right; Realize that Right: Education for Women and Girls Now!” and sub-slogan “Yes, she can”.During the one week campaign (it concludes on May 9, 2011), a number of events under the title “The Big Story" will be held, and one class in all schools should be dedicated to the main topic of the campaign. Teachers and members of faculty should explain to the children, in a way that is easy and simple to understand, that 69 million children in the world don’t go to school, can’t read and write, with majority of them girls.
Tomorrow (Skopje, 29.04.2011) the First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashi - Republic of Macedonia is celebrating its 19th birthday. We would like to thank all of you who supported the work and activities of the First Children’s Embassy in the World in the past period. To all the volunteers that unselfishly helped our joint dedication for more righteous and better world for the children in Macedonia and in the world throughout these 19 years, to all the citizens who donated in our donation boxes to support our help services, to all the foundations and socially responsible business partners who supported us to sustain our program activities and to all the individuals and institutions who put themselves in function of respecting the rights of the child conveyed in the Convention for the rights of the child. In addition to this information about the 19 years of working towards protection of the children’s rights in Macedonia and its existence and its acting, we send you the most significant activities which the Children’s Embassy Megjashi succeeded to realize in this period from its forming until today. We will continue to inform you about our activities and results in defending of the rights of the child through our Electronic Newsletter Bristly and we thank you for the support you gave and are still giving towards our dedication everybody to work in the children’s best interest. Regards from the working team of the First Childrens Embassy in the World Megjashi. www.childrensembassy.org.mk
Psychologists and pedagogues think that students with problematic behavior should not be isolated in special schools, but should work together with psychologists and pedagogues.
Is it necessary for the worse to happen to make us start with pedagogical and educational measures for more security of children in schools? When will something be changed regarding the responsibility of teachers, psychological-pedagogical services and school principals as being not only responsible for the learning success of the children but their education and behaviour as well? Children, parents and the community need answers to these questions while waiting for specific measures from the Ministry of Education and Science. An 18 years old young man was killed. He just wanted to help his friend Darko! The death happened in the school yard. Who will take the responsibility for this case? Why is there a lack of preventive programs and activities against violence at schools? Will the Ministry of Education and Science finally understand that including activities of nonviolent conflicts resolution and peace education in all segments of education would help to prevent violence?
The First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashi has many times so far observed malfunction in the work of the Centers for Social Welfare and violation of children’s rights. The last case, which was reported on the SOS helpline for children and youth at the Children's Embassy Megjasi, again points out the lack of performance, the rigidity and the irresponsibility of the Centers for Social Welfare when acting for the best interest of the children.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi in the report for the research “The confidence in Macedonia” which is consider to “The Confidence in the Civil Society” and “The familiarity with the civil organizations and the opinions for them”, is at the first place in terms of the confidence in civic organizations. 53.6 % of the citizens have positive opinion for the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi where the relations between the positive and negative thinking are 20.3 to 1.
1. Battle against the Pedophilia and Family Defilement is still on 1.1. Reaction on the last case of incest that the father from Veles committed over his three daughters 1.2. Case of sexual abuse at the Monastery Treskavec-Prilep 1.3 Still not solved the case where an employee in the OSCE sexually abusing children 2.Daily Center for children that are not attending school within Children's Embassy Megjashi 3. „The most common violation of children’s rights in Macedonia is the right to feel warmth in the home“ 4. Children's week (04.-10. October 2010) 5. International supervision - case study *Child-witness and sexual abuse against children 7. More children involved in the claws of prostitution
The Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child today elected nine members to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
In a single round of secret balloting, the Meeting elected the following: Agnes Akosua Aidoo (Ghana); Aseil Al-Shehail (Saudi Arabia); Jorge Cardona Llorens (Spain); Bernard Gastaud (Monaco); Maria Herczog (Hungary); Hatem Kotrane (Tunisia); Gehad Madi (Egypt); Kirsten Sandberg (Norway); and Hiranthi Wijemanne (Sri Lanka). They all received the required majority of 91 votes and will each serve a term of four years, replacing members whose terms expire on 28 February 2011. (Biographical information on all candidates is available in document CRC/SP/42, Add.1 and Add.2.)
On 21 December 2010, UN Member States will gather at the UN General Assembly in New York to elect nine people to the most important children's rights organisation in the world: the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.Those selected will replace outgoing members of the 18-strong Committee whose terms expire on 28 February 2011.
The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia on the 2nd of November 2010 public hearing on the topic “Implementation of the legislation related to children’s rights and the Convention on the rights of the child” was held. Expose of MA Dragi Zmijanac – Executive Director and Founder of the First Children’s Embassy in the World - Megjashi This year the Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrates its 21 anniversary, yet an exceeding figure of 70% of school children in Republic of Macedonia are not familiar with their rights. This was the result of the survey carried out by the First Children’s Embassy Megjashi, among 2,234 school children at 10 to 18 of age, in 41 primary schools and 24 secondary schools in 7 towns in Republic of Macedonia. The data was processed by BRIMA GALLUP Skopje.
It is the sixth year in a row that The First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashi, Republic of Macedonia conducts sale of Christmas Greeting Cards and New Year cards for realization of the activities of the Embassy (all activities are free). The collected funds from the cards will be used for: - SOS Helpline for children and youth 0800 1 22 22 (free line) - Fight against pedophilia and every type of violence over children - Daily care center for children that do not attend school - Free law service
re there any children’s calls on the SOS helpline in the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi searching help and advice for problems with juvenile prostitution?
Missing!? Family’s Mehmedi and Helgovich from Kumanovo four mouths ago for the first time were intruduced to one another. It was the children that brought them together. Their dearest were gone missing. And they are still missing!
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjahsi demands the most severe punishment for the rapist and the competent institutions not to exclude the possibility that the mother could have been an accomplice in this crime.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi on the last case of incest that the father from Veles committed over his three daughters contacted the Center for social work (CSW) – Veles and the Secretariat of internal affairs (SIA) – Veles.
The most common violation of children’s rights in Macedonia is the right to feel warmth in the home- MA Dragi Zmijanac executive director and founder of the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi
1. According to your long term experience and the information you have from the First Children’s Embassy in the World ,,Megjashi” which children’s rights are most jeopardized in Macedonia?
The continued existence of child labour is an obstacle to achieving the MDGs and, without achieving the MDGs, child labour cannot eliminated. The development goals of achieving the MDGs and eliminating and preventing child labour are inextricably linked and yet child labour remains as an invisible ninth MDG.
1.First Children's Embassy in the World reach majority! 2. 54th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)-The Committee reviewed the second regular report on the Republic of Macedonia in terms of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 3.The Committee on the Rights of the Child of UN sent recommendations to the government of the Republic of Macedonia about the second periodical report and initial reports to the Optional protocols 4.SUSPECTED PEDOPHILE FORM OSCE ABUSED CHILDREN 5.GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR INCLUDING ALL CHILDREN IN EDUCATION - "ONE GOAL: EDUCATION FOR ALL" 6. Seeking after 4 missing children in only one month 7.Protection of the Rights of the Child of political manipulation and abuse 8.Is there a trafficking with children in Macedonia? 9.INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY 10.World Day of SOS phone for help and support of children 11.Shelter are not salvation for Roma children
"I have no comment for this issue, it is a matter for other authorities and I had no other information than those from the media" said Knut Vollebaek, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of OSCE.
Mr. Dragi Zmijanac Executive Director and Founder of the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and Ms. Keti Jandrijeska Jovanova Attorney at Law Helsinki Committe for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia took part in the 54th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), taking place in Geneva on May 27-26.
-Reaction to protect the children’s rights and demanding responsibilitiesfrom the competent institutions; -Reaction to the Association of Journalists of the Republic of Macedonia for the violation of children’s privacy through articles published in printed media; -The battle continues against paedophilia, incest and sexual abuse on the children; -Presentation of the Alternative reports for the state of children's rights in Macedonia in front of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on February the 3rd; -Elena Dimitrievska and Vaska Bojadzi had a special meeting with the members of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
The First Children’s Embassy in the world - Megjashi this year as well joined the Global campaign for including all children in education. In more than 100 countries throughout the world, famous global football stars are joined with millions of children with a goal everyone to have a possibility to go to school and to study. Besides the entertaining event we had on this very important issue, we hope to make a world record with the biggest held simultaneous class.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi organized the First National Children’s Conference for Child Participation on the 16th of March 2010, Tuesday, at the Youth Cultural Center, Cinema “Frosina”. The conference was a part of the project Building a Culture of Child Participation, financed by the European Union, and co-financed by UNICEF.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi is conducting a campaign under the slogan “You should not be silent about the violence”. The main goal is to inform the public about the violence issues that the children in Macedonia are facing. It is necessary to talk about the violence and abuse against children. They can cause serious and long lasting psychological harm to children.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi, on Thursday, 21st of January 2010, at 10:30 am, in the facilities of the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi, held a press conference to present the Children’s Alternative report for the situation with the children’s rights in the Republic of Macedonia, prepared by the children.[1]
Presentation of the Alternative reports for the situation with the children’s rights in the Republic of Macedonia prepared by Macedonian National Alliance for Children’s Rights Research of the Children's Embassy Megjashi on "Perception of children about their rights, discrimination and violence against children" The fight against pedophilia, incest and sexual abuse of children continues
The SOS phone line for children and youth 0800 1 2222 by the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi made 16 years of its existence in 2009. During those 16 years, 17 784 reports were registered on different types of problems that the children are facing daily.
The field research report on perception of children’s rights, discrimination and children’s exposure to violence will be presented in Skopje on Wednesday.
In this edition you can find the current subjects on our E-Newsletter Bristly No.35 ( March - July 2009) In it you can read about: 17 Years of acting of the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi, Republic of Macedonia; Initiative for realization of the effort of the Children’s Ambassador Chair at the General Assembly of UN; Reaction of more frequent cases of family defilement and sexual abuse of children in Macedonia; Training for judges and public prosecutors on the topic of advocacy and lobbying when children are the victims of sexual violence; Two basic trainings for journalists in the field of children rights with special accent on the sexual abuse of the children and the pedophilia; International day of SOS lines for help and support of the children in the world; Building culture for children’s participation; The activities we have realized during Global action week-Global Campaign for Education 2009; Circus skills workshop………
The third summer workshop for children between the ages of five and 16, organized by the First Chilren’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi, started yesterday, July 27. This year, just like in 2008, the workshop will teach children circus skills. The workshop concludes on Friday, July 31.
On the occasion of 17 of May - International day of SOS lines for help and support of the children in the world, First World Children’s Embassy MEGJASHI informed the public about the situation of our free SOS telephone for children and young 0800 12222 as well as recalled the importance of the lines for help and support.
-Who abuses children in Macedonia- is it forgotten what are the traumas like that those children-victims are going through? - Why some of those children victims of family defilement change their statements? - Are those children victims forwarded to the hands of the state institution?
Stepfather was abusing juvenile foster daughter with months Fifteen-year old girl form Prilep was being abused for a period of four months by the stepfather. The police station in Prilep has informed that the mother of the teenage girl, suffering from carcinoma has recently discovered the nightmare of her daughter but didn’t report the case to the police fearing that they both will be thrown out or their current home. The girl’s nightmare has started at the beginning of this year when 56-years old Stojan R.
On 29 April 2009 at 21:00 in the discothèque Hard Rock, CIRa and the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi organize a Humanitarian concert “Dream peacefully”. The concert is organized as part of the Campaign for support of the children and youth – victims of sexual abuse. On the concert will perform: Elena Risteska, Ile Spasev, Martin Srbinovski, Marjan Stojanovski, Zoran Dzorlev, Igor Mitrovik, Bravo Bend, Silvi Bend, Vlatko Lozanovski, Dani, Dzemini, Martina, Risto Samardziev, Doni, Bobi – Beetbox, Maja Sazdanovska, Vlatko Ilievski, Eva, Toni Zen, Jovan Jovanov, Aleksandra Pileva, Next Time, Aleksandar Masevski, Elvir Mekik, Daniel Stojmanovski, Beni Shakiri, Tanja B., Deana Nikolovska, Andrijana Janevska, Biba Dodeva.
- We have realized training from 10 to12 April with 25 children from 7 different cities from Macedonia where the children were prepared for participation in the Global Action Week trough advocacy and lobbing in their main cities. In all 7 cities was realized Marches on the 22 April when the central event took place in Skopje.
During the one-week campaign which will take place from 20- 26 April 2009, several events will be organized. On the 22 April in the schools all around the world will take place THE BIG READ, when the children will dedicate one school class for reading stories and discussing about the importance of education. The central event is called THE BIG READ and it will take place on the 22 April at the Main Square in the city of Skopje, and also on public places in other cities in Macedonia.
Every year the Global Campaign for Education receives support from an amazing array of individuals and organisations across the world, below are just a few who have shown their support to date.
The horrible case of the two girls who three months have been victims of sexual abuse by their father, seems to overtake the responsible institutions, so yesterday they unconvincingly rejected all the responsibility for the incident. The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi, Republic of Macedonia sees the guilt for all the case in the Skopje Center for Social Welfare (CSW) which was responsible for the taking care of the two little girls in the sleeping quarters in the Skopje village Ljubanci.
The lack of mechanisms for hearing the children’s voice is the reason why their voice hasn’t been heard, as well as the reason why the children are not active participants in the making and creation of changes. The project Building culture for children’s participation is one important step forward to achievement of this aim.
“The Ministry for Health has reported to the Ombudsman that during the professional supervision the Commission also found professional failures, i.e. the wound was not surgically treated on time, the changes on the condition of the arm were not noticed on time, the plaster was not removed entirely...”
The first lady of Slovenia, Mrs Barbara Miklic Turk, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Danilo Turk, visited the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi, Republic of Macedonia.
According to the experts, children victims of pedophilia are left on their own to go through the terrible traumas and psychological disorders, rising up from the sexual abuse. They accuse the Centers for social welfare of taking improper and superficial actions. Mother of a nine year old girl, who was continually abused by her father throughout a whole year, stated that even after two years the child lives in fears.
The appeal court confirmed the 15 year jail sentence for the paedophile from Bogomila. The Higher court agreed with the judgement of the Court in Veles, that in September last year announced guilty the 57 year old Trajche Petkovski.
First Children's Embassy in the World “ Megashi”, Republic of Macedonia, conducts a campaign for responsible parenthood with more care and love towards children for the third time, but now with the slogan
For the time being we are not informed whether the eleven year old child from Pehchevo has come down with the infectious disease due to the treatment in the Orphanage “ 11 October”, stated from First Children’s Embassy in the World Megashi.
Scared from the whole situation, the eleven year old boy said that he will throw himself in front of a car if they try to bring him back to the orphanage.
The First Children Embassy in the World Megjasi will hold a series of workshops, December 15-30, at the Ramstore shopping mall in Skopje, for children who want to learn how to make New Year`s decorations, greeting cards and origami objects.
First Children's Embassy in the World and CIRa released a video "Sonuvaj mirno - Have a Peaceful Dream" within the Campaign for fundraising by citizens and enterprises for establishment of a Fund to support children and youth victims of sexual abuse.
The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi sends a reminder on two significant dates for paying respect for children’s rights in the world. Today is a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse and tomorrow, World Day of the Child.
Being stroked by the everyday news and events about sexual abuse to children and youth, CIRa and the First Children Embassy in the World – Medgjasi initiated the Campaign for fundraising by citizens and enterprises for establishment of a Fund to support children and youth victims of sexual abuse in Macedonia on September 26, 2008. The initiative is supported by celebrities, media and civil society organizations in the Republic of Macedonia.
The European legislature have no mercy on paedophiles. The most severe punishments are passed, most common being life imprisonment. In Norway the paedophiles are having a microchip-locators implanted, whereas in Denmark chemical castration is done to paedophiles recidivists.
1. Mr. Zmijanac, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia through certain ministries begun to realize action that will take care of the children begging in the streets. How do you evaluate this action?
The latest cases of pedophilia in Veles (74 years old male was sexually abusing a minor girl for a longer period of time) and Kichevo (2 girls being victims of sexual violence by three male adults aged of 60 + )
On August 1st The First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi threw a performance show on the occasion of the end of the semester. The performance was prepared by the children members of the Embassy and animated by volunteers from the Circus school- National center for circus art, from France.
On July 2nd, the promotion of the book the book - Going to Court- was held in the House of the Macedonian Army. The book adresses every child from 5 to 11 who has to testify in court as victim or witness of violence. It's purpose is to approach to the child the situation he is going to encounter in the court room, in order to go through the court process harmlessly.
With great pleasure I inform you that the music star Shakira is the president of honor on this year’s Global Week of Action; and as a supporter and active participant of this campaign she will do everything in her power to contribute this campaign -education for all-.
Angelo dell'anno The Ninth edition, Manifestation “Angel of the year” Milan, Theater “Dal Verme” 28th January 2008 Special International Award To Prof. Dragi Zmijanac MASC Founder and Executive Director of the First Children's Embassy in the World- Megjashi, Republic of Macedonia
The First Children’s Embassy in the World-Megjashi continues with the last year’s campaign for more love and attention towards the children, but now with the motto “Did you tell you child how much you love him/her?”.
The street children in Republic of Macedonia are from all ages and nationalities, but the most -58%, are Roma. Also concerning is the fact that: 15,5% of the street children are of a pre-school age, 64% are from 7 to 14 years old, 88, 5 % manifest socially unacceptable behaviour, while 11, 5% have tolerable social behaviour (according to the Institution for Social Matters in Skopje).
Children from across Macedonia marked Friday the campaign for their inclusion in education, entitled "Join Us! Right to Education Now", by symbolically forming human chain at city squares in several Macedonian towns. The campaign in Macedonia is being organised by the First Children's Embassy in the World - Megjasi. The central event of the campaign, which took place in Skopje, was attended by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who signed the guarantee for inclusion of all children in the education system.
On the occasion of the campaign JOIN UP! Education Rights Now! On 25.04.2007 Wednesday, in 01.00 P.M., delegation of children and representatives of the First Children’s Embassy in the World- Megjashi had a meeting with the President of Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski.
24 April 2006 - Global Campaign for Education (GCE) Global Action Week is here and GCE coalitions in over 100 countries along with Education International, UNESCO and teachers’ unions worldwide have been coming up with amazing ways to mobilise millions of children and the public to shout out to local, national and international governments with the message that: ‘Every Child Needs A Teacher’ if the goal of free quality education for all is to be realised.
CHILDREN"S EMBASSY MEGJASHI WITH A PROFILE ON FACEBOOK
215 videos on youtube
Documentary - First Children's Embassy in the World Megjashi
In Macedonia there are 2000 children who beg in the streets every day. They are the most often victims of violence. I believe that when these children will be included in the educational system this event will be decreased .More....
KINO OKO for the violence and youth with Marija Raleva, psychiatrist, Dragi Zmijanac from the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and Cena Chalovska, inspector in the Ministry of interior affairs.
