The 2000 Albania Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a nationally representative survey of households, women, and children. The main objectives of the survey are to provide for the first time information for assessing the situation of children and women in Albania at the end of the decade and to furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established at the World Summit for Children and as a basis for future action. The 2000 Albania Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has as its primary objectives: To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Albania at the end of the decade in order to develop effective policies and strategies over the next decade; To furnish data on the situation of children needed for the compilation of the initial and second CRC country reports; To measure Albania’s performance vis a vis the 1990 World Summit for Children goals. To provide analysis of the situation of children for inclusion in deliberations at the United Nations Special Session on children as a basis for future action. To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Albania and to strengthen technical expertise in design, implementation, and analysis of such systems.