(ANS – Guwahati) – The Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights congratulated its first batch of students who completed their Master’s in Human Rights (Child Rights & Development), under Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU). The ceremony was held at the Press Club Guwahati, on Saturday 12 July with each successful candidate given a congratulatory plaque.

The first batch had six students. The second batch has 13 students.

“This is the first time that we have MA degree holders trained in Human Rights in northeast India,” says Fr C.T. Lukose, Course Director and Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, in Assam’s Kamrup district. Fr Lukose is also the founder-director of Don Bosco Ashalayam centres for street children in Guwhatui. He said, “this unique course has been designed to provide theoretical input as well as hands-on experience in the field of human rights, child rights, juvenile justice system, child psychology and child counselling.”

He added, “it was felt that there is a dearth of trained social workers in this area who could render their services to these children, and to bridge the gap, Snehalaya in collaboration with Assam Don Bosco University, came up with this specially designed course.”

The Academic Coordinator Utpala Deb explained, “the students develop their knowledge about project and programme development from a human rights and child rights perspective, and learn how to apply the principles of children's right to be heard, non-discrimination, and best interests, and accountability to various phases of project planning and implementation.”

The course includedHuman Rights, Child Rights, Child Counselling, Child Psychology, Child Care Services, Child Protection Issues and Child-related legislation.

One of the successful students was Mr. Santanu Kr Sarkar, Advocate in Guwahati High Court. “This course helps me to be child- sensitive in my work, especially to keep in mind pro-child legislation as well as insights into child psychology” he said.

“Our aim was to equip social workers with skills, knowledge and expertise to work and understand children better and to give their best for the cause of children. – said Ms Lita Hazarika, Counsellor, Psychiatrist and faculty member who drew up the syllabus. Through this course we would like to instil a passion for the rights of children and to sensitize the participants to the cause of children”.

“Our experience over the years convinced us that every social worker has to be a counsellor and to do so he or she needs to understand the psychology of children who have suffered the ups and downs of life and a lot of trauma. This will make him or her a complete social worker with knowledge of all aspects relating to the child.”

Besides Fr Lukose, others who spoke on the occasion were: ADBU Head of Mass Communication, Fr C.M. Paul; Guwahati S.O.S Children’s Village Director, Mr Sushanta Kr. Ghosh; World Vision My City Initiative Director, Mr Subimal Goldsmith and Mr Savio Lakra,  State Child Protection Society - the nodal agency for Integrated Child Protection Scheme representative.

Published 15/07/2014