To commemorate the World Day against Child Labour on June 12, DBDOC, with a dedicated focus on advocating child rights, conducted a two-day training program .Miss. Ipshita Mukherjee, (expressive art and child rights practitioner), lead a specialized training session for individuals working directly with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its primary aim was to address the prevailing lack of awareness among the group regarding child rights issues.

The training program was carefully designed and divided into three modules, each covering various aspects of child rights. These modules encompassed important legal frameworks such as POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act), RTE (Right to Education Act), JJ (Juvenile Justice Act), NPC (National Policy for Children), CMPA (Child Marriage Prohibition Act), anti-trafficking measures, and the Child Labour (Regulation and Prohibition) Act.

The program was inaugurated by the esteemed dignitaries, including Fr. Sunil Kerketta (Vice Provincial-Salesian Province, Kolkata), Fr. Jijo John (Provincial Economer and Director of DBDOC), and Br. Lawerence (Center-in-Charge of Nitika).The esteemed speakers emphasized the paramount importance of child rights and the responsibility of each individual in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

The training kicked off with an initial session that delved into the definition of a child according to the 1989 United Nations Convention, along with a life cycle approach to comprehending child psychology. The intention behind this foundation was to equip teachers with the necessary tools to establish nurturing and comfortable relationships with their students. The first module extensively covered children’s rights, providing a comprehensive overview of the guiding principles outlined in the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), child rights as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, and the four fundamental rights every child should enjoy. Additionally, the module explored the four guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Throughout this session, the teachers actively participated, engaging in discussions and raising pertinent queries, which concluded the module on a dynamic note,

DBDOC’s “Empowering Change Makers” training program effectively raised awareness about child rights. Simultaneously, it equipped teachers with the essential knowledge and skills required to safeguard and uphold the rights of children, ensuring their holistic development and well-being.