CREAM III State-level Staff Meeting and Training

Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society (BREADS) organised a three-day meeting and training event for the programme staff of its Child Rights Education and Action Movement (CREAM) III programme. The event took place from 21-23 February 2023 at the National Biblical Catechetical & Liturgical Centre (NBCLC) in Bangalore. The event commenced with a traditional lighting of the lamp and an inaugural address by Fr Tony Plavilayil sdb, with Fr Rubin Mathew sdb (Executive Director, BREADS) and Fr Deepu Mathew sdb (Asst. Director, BREADS) in attendance, creating a positive and inspiring atmosphere.

On the first day, Dr. Niranjan Aaradhya (Development educationist and child rights activist) led sessions on various relevant topics such as rights-based programming, child rights and legal instruments, the right to education, and the connection between child rights and local self-government. These sessions provided valuable insights into the current state of child rights in Karnataka, and the legal and policy frameworks governing them.

The second day was dedicated to presentations by Programme Coordinators about their programme activities over the past few months, providing an opportunity for participants to review their work, identify implementation flaws, and share best practices to improve their strategies to achieve programmatic goals effectively. The coordinators’ presentations helped to assess the progress made so far and the areas that need improvement.

The final day of the training programme focused on the “CREAM III Way Forward” and the documentation of impacts and results by Fr. Rubin Mathew (Executive Director, BREADS). This session enabled participants to assess and record impact, reflect on the lessons learned, and how to apply them in their work going forward.

The event was an excellent opportunity for CREAM III programme staff to share their field-level experiences and gain knowledge on relevant project-related topics. The training programme aimed to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of the staff, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills to improve the lives of children and protect their rights.