Rev Fr Dr Jose Kuruvachira SDB addressing the launching programme of ‘Child Friendly Dimapur’ in AIDA Campus on September 29.
Dimapur, September 29 (MExN): The ‘Child Friendly Dimapur’ programme of ANMA Integrated Development Organization (AIDA) was launched by Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan IAS in AIDA Campus on September 29.
A press release stated that it was launched in the presence of representatives of various Government departments, civil societies, educational institutions and NGOs working with and for children in Dimapur.
The event began with prayer lead by Rev Fr TT Joseph SDB, Associate Director, AIDA and lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. AIDA Executive Director, Rev Fr Roy George SDB in his welcome address said that a child friendly city is a city or community where the voices, needs, priorities and rights of children are an integral part of public policies, programmes and decisions.
“The Child Friendly Dimapur is closely aligned with the goals and objectives as enunciated by UNICEF. This programme is aiming to make Dimapur a child friendly city where all children, without discrimination of any kind, have access to their right to live in secure, enabling environments, and develop to their full potential,” he said.
The DC Dimapur unveiled the logo of Child Friendly Dimapur. In his speech, DC said, “ensuring children their rights is not a special favor done to them but is our duty: government, non-governmental organizations and civil societies.” He stated that women and children’s issues are interlinked and stressed on the importance of paying more attention on children’s mental health as there is a worrying trend of mental health crisis among children. He added that the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not possible without realizing the rights of children. He also released ‘AIDA’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 FIRST WAVE’ magazine.
Rev Fr Dr Jose Kuruvachira SDB, Provincial Salesians of Don Bosco, Province of Dimapur spoke about Child Friendly City initiative as an important work of the Salesians of Don Bosco, coordinated by DB YaR Forum- Don Bosco National Forum for the Young at Risk, a network of over 85 Don Bosco organizations and institutions, across 20 states in India, engaged in care and protection, and promotion of the best interests of children, with special attention to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. He stressed on the importance of collaboration of all good willed civil society, police, duty bearers, service providers, NGOs, civil administration, business and media.
Dimapur Municipal Council, Administrator Albert Ezung in his address said that children rights needs to be accorded which it deserves. He said that the legal provisions for children needs to be strengthened and people needs to be sensitized but this calls for a lot of efforts from everyone and concerted coordination. He added that it is important to assess and analyze situation of children in our community to come up with appreciate plan of action.
Child Friendly Dimapur, Programme Coordinator, Katia Chakre shared that the focus of the initiative is leveraging and enhancing children’s capacities of agency to make their voices heard for justice, peace, equality, entitlements and rights by creating those spaces, those mechanisms, for the children and young people to be heard.
