Meeting at Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) office, Bengaluru

BREADS Bangalore convened a meeting at KSCPCR office, Krishi Bhavan, Nrupatunga Road, Bengaluru on 9 February 2021 in the presence of Dr. Antony Sebastian, Chairperson-Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), Mr. Sonykutty George, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Hyderabad, Fr. Joy Nedumparambil SDB, Executive Director- BREADS, Fr. Rubin Mathew SDB, Asst. Director-BREADS, Ms. Anisha Mathew, Coordinator, Planning and Reporting, KSCPCR, Mr. Manjappa, Coordinator, CREAM Davangere, Mr. SJ Chander-Project Director- Foundation for Sustainable Health in India, and Mr. Denis Dsouza, Coordinator, Advocacy-PADI. The objective of the meeting was to collaborate on a plan of action, to create spaces to work together with like-minded organisations in their respective working areas, sharing knowledge and expertise.

Fr. Joy welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained, in brief, the activities of BREADS with a special focus on the Child Rights Education and Action Movement (CREAM) programme which was started in the year 2012 in ten districts of Karnataka, which is now extended to twenty districts. Mr. SJ Chander and Mr. Denis Dsouza also briefly introduced their programmes and activities. Dr. Antony Sebastian in his address exhorted the preparation and participation of children for the KSCPCR district review meetings to address child rights violations. Mr. Sonykutty mentioned the need to focus on safe learning places, tertiary support systems for children for better mental and psychosocial support, and school health programmes. As a result of the meeting and discussion, BREADS together with the KSCPCR and UNICEF will consult with the Education and RDPR departments to take forward BREADS’ modules on Child Rights Education, handbooks on the formation of Child Rights Clubs and Child Protection Committees, and conducting Makkala Grama Sabhas in gram panchayats under the CREAM programme.