The Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights felicitated its first batch of students who completed Master in Human Rights (Child Rights & Development), under AssamDonBoscoUniversity (ADBU). The felicitation ceremony was held at the Press Club Guwahati, Saturday 12 July with each successful candidate given a felicitation plaque.

The first batch of 2012-2014 had six students. The second batch of 2013-2014 has 13 students.

“This is the first time that we have MA degree holders trained in Human Rights in northeast India,” says Fr C.T. Lukose, Course Director and Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, in Assam’s Kamrup district.

Briefing media persons at the Press Club Fr Lukose who is also the founder director of Don Bosco Ashalayam centres for street children in Guwhatui said, “this unique course has been designed to provide theoretical input as well as hands on experience in the field of human rights, child rights, juvenile justice system, child psychology and child counselling.”

He added, “it was felt that there is a dearth of trained social workers in this area who could render their services to these children, and to bridge the gap, Snehalaya in collaboration with Assam Don Bosco University came up with this specially designed course. “

Academic Coordinator Utpala Deb explained, “the students develop their knowledge about project and programme development from human rights and child rights perspectives and learn how to apply the principles of childrens right to be heard, non-discrimination, and best interests, and accountability to various phases of project planning and implementation.”

One of the felicitated students was Advocate in Guwahati High Court Mr. Santanu Kr Sarkar. Spekaing at the Press Conference Mr Sarkar said, “this course helps me to be child sensitive in my work, especially to keep in mind pro-child legislations as well as insights into child psychology.”

Some of the components of the course included of Human Rights, Child Rights, Child Counseling, Child Psychology, Child Care Services, Child Protection Issues and Child-related legislations.

“Our aim was to equip a social workers with skills, knowledge and  expertise to work and understand children better and to give their best for the cause of children,” said Counsellor, Psychiatrist and faculty member who drew up the syllabus Ms Lita Hazarika.

She assured, “through this course we would like to instill the passion and sensitize the participants towards the cause of children.”

“The experience observed over the years convinced us that that every social worker has to be a counselor and to do so he needs to understand the psychology of these children who have undergone ups and downs in life and a lot of trauma. This will make a complete social worker with the knowledge on all the aspects that are related to the child.”

Besides Fr Lukose who spoke at the occasion were: ADBU Head of Mass Communication Fr C.M. Paul; Guwahati S.O.S Children’s Village Director Mr Sushanta Kr. Ghosh; World Vision My City Initiative Director Mr Subimal Goldsmith and State Child Protection Society – the nodal agency for Integrated Child Protection Scheme representative Mr Savio Lakra.