Participants during the workshop on ‘making children our priority’ organized at AIDA Conference Hall, Don Bosco Campus on November 3.
Dimapur, November 3 (MExN): Workshop on ‘making children our priority’ was organized for the civil society by Child Friendly Dimapur, AIDA at AIDA Conference Hall, Don Bosco Campus on November 3.
“The main objective was to bring together civil society from various disciplines to discuss the issues and concerns of children in the city, brainstorm ideas and identify collective action plans to realize the dream of making Dimapur a child friendly city,” stated a press release from AIDA.
Representatives from District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and Childline, Don Bosco Hr Sec School Dimapur and North East Christian University (NECU), Nagaland Post and Eastern Mirror, and NGOs working with children including Prodigals Home, Serendip Guardians, Can Youth, Peace Channel, CECS and youth secretary, Neisato Colony attended the consultative workshop.
Following the workshop, it was resolved that “the organizations will contribute towards creating a child colony in Dimapur as model colony; they will share resources (training or sponsorship); they will work collaboratively for awareness creation.” A Civil Society Forum for child friendly Dimapur with 7 committed members was also formed, it stated.
During the session, Esther Sumi, Protection Officer (IC), DCPU shared that children have the right to be protected wherever they are and to achieve this, civil society has to work together. She talked about Integrated Child Protection scheme (ICPS) and the roles of the DCPU in coordinating all child protection activities.
She emphasized that the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) takes care of the children in need of care and protection and the Juvenile Justice Board takes care of the children in conflict with law.
K Ela, Collab Director Childline/Prodigals’ Home, emphasised on the importance of working collaboratively and collectively as it is the responsibility of all individuals in the society to ensure all children are safe. She facilitated the process of discussion on ‘what role each participant and organization can play to make Dimapur a child friendly city’.
The participants were asked to identify strategies, preventive measures and common action plan to contribute to the idea of making Dimapur a Child Friendly City.
Earlier, Rev Fr TT Joseph SDB, Associate Director, ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) his welcome address stressed on the importance of creating safe and secure ambient for children where their voices and priorities become integral part of decisions and policies. Garrol Lotha, Civil Society Mobilization Officer, Child Friendly Dimapur facilitated the workshop to be an interactive and consultative programme. Dziesezelie, Civil Society Mobilization Officer, Child Friendly Dimapur guided the participants reflect on the 54 rights of children that are enshrined in the UNCRC.
