Child Rights Program Quarterly Review Meeting was held at Seva Kendra Calcutta on 27th and 28th July 22.

Caritas India is in its third and final year of implementation of the Surokhit Shaishav program with a focus on the abolition of child labour in all forms in the State by establishing an effective child protection system, promoting children’s rights to education, social participation and inclusive development. Thereby creating safe spaces.

Surokhit Shaishav, promoting safe childhood In the State of West Bengal is operationalised in 6 districts, with 7 implementing partners, four Diocesan Social Service Societies, two congregational and nonfaith/secular organisation with support from Caritas Germany and BMZ.

Fr. Parimal Kanji, West Bengal Forum Director in his opening remarks, highlighted the plight of children especially during and after the pandemic. The child rights program has helped the children of West Bengal in addressing their issues and concerns, particularly in matters of education and health.

In his keynote address Rev. Fr (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director Caritas India, spelt out the need to bring about change and transformations in the lives of the children with whom we are engaging. He further amplified that program review are platform of cross learning and sharing from each other. Provide opportunity to recognise achievement and explore the possibilities to do same things differently. Focus and reinforce on results-based outcomes at Macro, Meso and Micro levels.

Finally, ending by saying ‘Children are meant to learn and not to earn.

To do away with the conventional way of presentation during review meetings – it was decided to showcase outcome level results based on five major impacts designed in the program – First being National Child Labour Project, Legal Actions, Community Level Committees, Coordination and Networking and finally Child-Friendly Police Station / Free spaces.

Program Coordinators, Child Protection Officers and Directors from Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre, Krishnagar Cathedral Charitable Service Society, Anugalyaya Darjeeling Diocese Service Society, Bal Surakshya Abhiyan Trust, Social Welfare Institute Raigunj and Suprava Panchashila Mahila Udyog Samiti presented result-based outcomes on chart paper.

Summarising it and sharing his reflection, Fr (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, highlighted the importance of airing the concern of children engaged in brick kilns, bidi industries at the state-level platform of Campaign Against Child Labour.

1. Engagement of children and parents into child protection committees (CPCs), alternative learning pedagogy – Joyful learning by Loreto Sisters to children to stimulate and resuscitate their learning interest.
2. Look for prospects for gap funding from other sources- CSRs, government and individuals.
3. Core committee formation for mentoring and sharing of human resources with each other.
4. Finally, developing an infographic of results achieved in the last two and half years of implementation of program for donor sharing.
5. As part of Caritas India’s celebration of 60 years of joyful service, organise the National level Children Convention at Kolkata.

Dr Jayanta Munsi, Child Development Program Lead in his valedictory remark accentuated partners to map and consolidate dropout children, and vulnerable hotspots to engage more strongly with school management committee for enrolment and resuscitate and strengthen Child Protection mechanisms at the village, block, district and State level.