RESSAISIR’ 2011@Don Bosco college Kannur

 Critical Reflections on Right Based Approaches and Interventions in Social Work

CONCEPT NOTE

A rights-based approach to development is a framework that integrates the norms, principles, standards and goals of the ‘International Human Rights System’ into the plans and processes of development of communities and people. It is characterised by methods and activities that link the ‘Human Rights System’, advocated by United Nations, and its inherent notion of interventions at all the spheres of development intending welfare of masses.

Right based approaches and intervention to development, according to United Nations, “Integrates the norms, standards and principles of the international human rights system into the plans, policies and processes of development of nations.”[1] Basing the footage of this notion, social work owned up the rights-based approaches and interventions from the inception of the concept from 1990s, and is found facilitating the integration of it in to the attempts of social workers normative cause for ‘social policy in general and social protection in particular’ (Conway, 2002)[2].

Being an agency standing for the cause of professional social work, through organising this conference, The P.G. Department of Social Work, Don Bosco Arts and Science College aims at providing opportunity to organize the ideas of likeminded scholars and practitioners in Social work profession to reflect critically over right based approaches and intervention in social work profession and provide them a platform for airing their concerns. The conference also aims at bringing together various conceptual frameworks on rights-based approaches and intervention for development through the methods and practices of social work, without deviating from the core theme, focus, ideal and definitions.

The Don Bosco National Conference on “Critical reflections on right based approaches and interventions in social work”, through facilitating the attempts of social workers in the field, intents to

outline and come up with  an operational framework, including the principles and strategies necessary for implementing the rights-based approaches and interventions in the various fields and methods of social work, basing on findings and observations from various interventions worldwide.

This conference mainly intents to - through providing a forum for putting forward ideas and strategies for integrated development and multi stakeholder participation –

Ø   Bring out and highlight the advantages of a rights based approach and intervention in social work for integrated development.

Ø   Provide opportunity for the practitioners to reflect over how to sustain the impact of right based approaches and interventions in social work.

Ø   Consider the challenges that right based approaches and interventions in social work have to face in the pace towards integrated development.

Ø   Endow the scholars, practitioners and other stake holders with a forum to look ahead for innovative development strategies that can be developed and fostered for the realization of the rights of poor, vulnerable and marginalized in social work context, as the outcome.

At this rationale, the conference explores critical practices and understands the principles, process and the impact of these practices in the right based approaches and interventions in social work. Hence the conference keeps the focus “Critical Reflections” as its central theme. It is an invitation “To Be The Ressaisir” in social work, for being a partner in change, in the changing world around.

Broadly the theme of the Conference covers:

1. Right Based approaches and interventions in the Methods of Social Work
2. Right Based approaches and interventions in the various Fields and practices of Social Work with special focus on
1. Gender: Capacitating, Empowerment, Reservation and Sexuality
2. Youth : Capacitating, Welfare, Participation, Justice and Legislation
3.  Children: Capacitating, Survival, Protection, Development and Participation
4. Family : Issues and Challenges

e.      Aged and Infirm (Physical and Mental)

6. Ecology and Environment: Conservation, Sustainability, Issues, Challenges and Solutions.
7. Education and Empowerment
8. Health and Mental Health: Care, Management & Rehabilitation
9. Human Rights: protection, promotion, combating discrimination and violation; individual rights and  social justice, evaluation of present scenario
2. Social Problems most critical to today’s society and Right Based Approaches for mitigation of the problems.

 prepared by : Dr.Anoop Antony

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[1] United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. “What is a rights-based approach to development?” in Human Rights in Development,

http://www.unhchr.ch/development/approaches-04.html. August 2011.

[2] Conway T.  (2002) For the Cause of Social Protection, New York, Plenum.

Realising Rehabilitation at Moolampilly........

 

 

 

The Moolampilly evictees’ rehabilitation problem, which the great Bengali poetess Maheshweta Devi termed as Kerala’s singur is being resolved by the UDF government. It could enter into an agreement with the evictees, representatives settling all outstanding issues regarding the rehabilitation package in a conference convened by the CM on 6^th June 2011.

The government would provide water supply, electricity and road connectivity to a common point in each of the plots earmarked for resettlement of the evictees. The area would be demarcated in such a way that coastal zone regulations would not come in the way of constructing two-storeyed buildings with sufficient built up area. A sum of Rs. 75,000 would be given to each family for piling as the land given was marshy.
The government would continue to provide rent at Rs. 5000 a month to the evictees upto six months after the establishment of the infrastructure facilities promised by the government. The arrears in rent would also be paid. Twelve families who had been denied allotment of land under the rehabilitation package would be given titles and other benefits upon their forfeiting compensation paid under the Land Acquisition Act and withdrawal of cases filed by them against the government.
A monitoring committee under the District Collector would oversee implementation of the agreement and bring issues, if any, to the notice of the government.
source :
http://www.keralacm.gov.in/index.php/component/content/article/40-projects-a-initiatives/88-realising-rehabilitation-at-moolampilly

THE PERSON WHOM I ADMIRE MOST, an article by a sri lankan child ......

There were many people in the past and they came to our lives with greatness. However, we might not have interest for everyone, among whom one or two characters would be there like a huge tree, which we respected most. Among those different characters, I met an admirable character in my life. That character could be taken as a very different, admirable, honorable and most respectful person not only for me but also for many other people. He was a shelter, and a huge roof for many fellow beings. He had been spending his precious time for the education of the children. That great person helped me too to improve my English knowledge, which was in very pathetic condition. Sometimes I felt that he was not a teacher, but also a great scholar. His advice was immeasurable for me.

He provided his great services to the both people of the villages and the communities. There was always truthfulness in his words. He was simple and humble and everyone admired his great virtues and good qualities. At the same time, he was a hero among the elders and the young people. His did not want many things, but he just wanted to serve his society in which he lived. He identified the weak points of his society and wanted to cure those weaknesses. Therefore, everybody respected him. He treated everyone as equal without any discrimination. Sometimes he was like a friend with his companionship.

He understood my strong desire to learn English. He was aware of my little knowledge in English language . One day he told me, “You must speak English very well”, he also said that I should speak with him. After that, he did not speak to me in Sinhala. Whenever I met him, he spoke me only in English. It was great support for me to develop my language skill in English. Whenever we spoke in English, everyone looked at us with contempt. Nevertheless, he was not to leave the effort on the half way. H e was really happy and interested in our success. Since I wanted to become an English teacher, I informed him about my ambition. He received it with a great delight and encouraged me to become an English teacher. He was an uncommon character in this society and his treat was very familiar to me.

All I knew that he was a noble person without making any inconvenience to anybody else in the society. In fact he did not want to waste his valuable time by sitting idle and doing nothing. He was trustworthy and straightforward man. I really admire his great qualities.

Finally, I am going to reveal the character about whom I spoke, It was none other than Rev.Fr. Namal Warnakulasooriya. He is no more with us. Unfortunately, he had to face an accidental death. He will never come to our lives anymore. It was a bitter experience as well as painful memories in my life. In conclusion, I use a proverb to explain the context that is “Haste makes waste”.

He left us on 16th June 2011, while he was participating the “Budubathi gee Programme”, which was organized by him on Poson Full Moon Poyaday. Because of a careless motorcyclist.

“May his soul rest in peace

S. J. V Kamalsha Jayasinghe

Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre,

Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura