Awakening programme on Juvenile justice - Care and protection held on 2nd March 2010 at Jnan jyothi auditorium in Central College.

‘Awakening programme on Juvenile Justice – care and Protection’

The Awakening programme on Juvenile Justice- Care and Protection was organised on 2nd March 2010 at 2pm to 6pm in Jnana jyothi auditorium, Central College. The programme was organised by Bangalore University and co organisers were Karnataka state commission protection of Child Rights ( KSCPCR) ECHO, National Law college, Bangalore, Child Rights Trust and ChildLine, Bangalore. Msw students from various colleges from Bangalore University had assembled there. The primary goal is to acknowledge and enlighten them about JJ Act and protection of Juvenile Justice to the students so that they will have deeper understanding of issues of children and legal part and what are the services avail of for their protection and how it is applicable in community.

The Programme was toned by inauguration. Dr. Rajendra Kumar addressed the gathering and delivered a brief introduction. Speakers for the day were greeted to the stage.

The speakers were
Ms Arlene, Fellow and coordinator of National Law College, Bangalore.
Fr. Antony, Executive Director, Member of JJB, ECHO
Ms. Maria Sindhu, City Coordinator, ChildLine, Bangalore
Mr. Prakash, Coordinator, ChildLine, Bosco Mane
Mr. Subramanya, Coordinator, ChildLine, Apsa
Dr. Niranjanaradhya, Fellow, programme Head- Universalisation of School Education, CCL NLSIU and member, KCPCR.

Ms. Arelene spoke about the Child protection and Juvenile Justice. She said intervention from Government and NGO's are mandatory for the children who are in need of Care and protection and children who are in conflict with law as

· To build their capacity
· Respond to their problem
· Empowerment
· Prevention of the distress situation
· Restore and Enable

she also stressed the importance of JJ Act for the children than any other laws and acts.

Experience working for the children who are in conflict with law
----- Fr Antony, member of JJB, Executive Director, ECHO

Fr. Antony spoke about the hardship and sucess stories that they have undergone overperiod in the Organisation ECHO. Echo is a leading NGO in the whole of india who initated and now monitoring and helping implementation of Juvenile justice act 2000.

They actively work with
· JJB
· CWC
· Observation Home Juvenile home

He shared some of his findings about the children who are in conflict with law.
· 90% of children are from poor social economic background
· Law is in conflict with child
· 60% of children have reported that police committed crime against them.

Juvenile justice and ChildLine

-----Ms Maria, Mr. Prakash and Mr. Subramanya

ChidLine spoke about the how ChildLine works in Bangalore successfully for the children . Various cases were discussed with spectators and what kind of rehabilitation given by ChildLine. Challenges faced by ChildLine after providing rehabilitation to the children. Many questions were raised by students and marvelled at our services.

In this special occassion childLine stall were put up in the premisis thousands of students and faculties visited and showed their interest to be part of childline. they also reffered the cases and appreciated our challenging work for the children.

Right to Education
------Dr. Niranjan

Right to Education is understood to establish an entitlement to free, compulsory primary education for all children, an obligation to develop secondary education accessible to all children, as well as equitable access to higher education, and a responsibility to provide basic education for individuals who have not completed primary education.

He said providing 25 per cent reservation for children from weaker sections of the community in all private schools – is likely to be the most contentious.

Subsequently, the chief guestsMrs. Neena Nayak, Chairperson, Karnataka state Commission for protection of Child Rights and Dr.N. Prabhu Dev, the Homarable Vice- Chancellor, Bangalore University were welcomed to the platform and addressed the gathering about the status of children, schemes available to the children and weaker section of the society.

Ms. Nina Nayak expressed her discontented how the schemes are not regulated well enough hence does not reach the targeted group of the society.

India is the hunger craft of the world says Dr. Prabhu, poverty is one of the factors that bring into other problems like child labour, begging child marriage etc. Due to poverty and unemployment the people in villages migrates to urban areas thus causing displacement and it leads to adverse effect to children in education.He also said nuclear family system has brought obstacle to emotional bondage as children is left alone at home when parents go for work leading to disturbed mind, antisocial activities, depression etc
He concluded his speech saying Family, Government, NGO’s and others should work together for the better transformation.

Subsequently, there was musical play organised by echo. The artists were children. The theme was on the factor that makes children to commit offence. They are normal like other children only difference is that they lack conducive environment. Hence opportunity should be given to them to reform their behaviour and come to main stream of life rather than stigmatizing and segregating them.
They performed astonishingly; everybody gave them loud sound of applause. The programme was concluded by word of thanks.