MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE KAVITA RATNA THE CONCERNED FOR WORKING CHILDREN, INDIA

THE BIG PICTURE Alcohol and substance abuse – the big picture Children’s rights – the complete picture The framework in which CWC engages with both

THE BIG PICTURE The limited, if any, use of the ‘ban’ approach Importance of Community development Mobilisation Social monitoring Social support

THE BIG PICTURE Starting young – the children’s rights frame Learning from local initiatives – to impact on national and international understanding and policy

CWC’S FIELD PROGRAMMES In both rural and urban areas in partnership with… Marginalised children Women Communities Local Governments Community based organisations

OUR FIELD PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENT… Viable Comprehensive Sustainable and Appropriate solutions - in partnership with all the major actors so that children do not have to work and are able to realise their rights.

ISSUES COVERED Economic; political; social; cultural; environmental and spiritual

CHILDREN AND CITIZENSHIP Adults and Children have little chance to have a ‘real life’ experience of Democracy. The very notion of citizenship is questionable for adults, for children it is even more so as they are not even considered ‘citizens’.

OUR NATIONAL COMMITMENT India has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The three most important principles of CRC are the rights to participation, organisation and information. Yet, children are denied the opportunity to participate in decision- making processes that effect their lives and futures.

WHY CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION ? Children and youth are kept away from civil and political engagements. These arenas are projected as ‘bad’ until they are 18 years old. A practical experience of participatory democracy is essential for the moulding of the ‘new citizen’

WHY CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION ? Democratic participation actively engages children and young people in a way that encourages values of inclusion and participatory democracy. The participation of children helps to preserve and add a new vibrancy to our culture of egalitarianism, democracy, secularism and equality for adults – who can learn from their example.

CHILDREN AND THEIR GOVERNMENTS Children and youth are the most marginalised; their effective participation depends largely on platforms for their participation. Children’s participation in local governments enables them to ‘learn’ through ‘experiencing’ democratic governance. It enables adults to participate more actively, to strengthen democratic processes and to ensure the survival of democracy.

MAKKALA PANCHAYATS IN KARNATAKA, INDIA The Concerned for Working Children and Bhima Sangha, (an organisation of working children), initiated the Makkala Panchayats in 1995 in 5 Panchayats (Local Governments). Today, Makkala Panchayats are present in 56 Panchayats and cover the entire Kundapur Taluk. Over 65,000 children are members of Makkala Panchayats.

STRUCTURE OF THE MAKKALA PANCHAYAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NAMMA SABHA YOUTH ORGANISATION GRAM PANCHAYAT EMPLOYERS MAKKALA MITRA CHILDREN’S FRIEND CHILD RIGHTS TASK FORCE TRIPARTITE COLLABORATION OF ALL STAKE HOLDERS Role of Task Force  Basic needs  Infrastructure  Other hurdles  Replacement industries  Employment  Credit  Monitoring  Managing information and statistics COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS WOMEN, YOUTH, CULTURAL, NGOS AND TUS MAKKALA PANCHATYAT CHILDREN’S PANCHAYAT REPRESENTING ALL CHILDREN IN A PANCHAYAT BHIMA SANGHA A WORKING CHILDREN’S ORG OTHER ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES CHILD RIGHTS ORGANISATION DISABLED CHILDREN SCHOOL CHILDREN

IMPACT ON CHILDREN The organised participation of children and youth, has given them strength, access to more information, confidence, an identity and a collective voice. Enabled them to find collective ways to solve problems & realise their desire to contribute to society in a meaningful and substantial way.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN It enables all children to raise and solve their problems, with a special focus on the problems of marginalised children, differently-abled children and girl children. It helps them to participate in decision- making processes based on democratic principles and solve problems in partnership with their local government.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN Children manage their data and information related to their areas which has improved planning and monitoring of the situation of children and youth by local governments. Children and youth have a ‘real life’ experience of ‘citizenship’.

IMPACT ON MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES The members of the marginalised communities have been able to voice their concerns through the participation of children. They have gained an identity – and have found new opportunities to participate in the governance.

PARTICIPATORY PLANNING About 20,000 children of Makkala Panchayats have developed the ‘Five Year Plans’ for their Panchayats or wards. They have substantiated it with reliable data and information to support their claims.

A STUDY IN PROGRESS Children raised problems related to alcoholism in the 10th five year planning, Children’s Gram Sabhas in 2006 and 2007, as well as in the Makkala Panchayat meetings/meetings of school children’s organisations CWC held discussions with Makkala Panchayats in the Panchayats regarding addressing alcohol abuse. Children expressed the need to get to know the problem better. Makkala Panchayats and CWC held discussions with respective Gram Panchayats regarding their thoughts about children’s need to know more about the problem Three Adults and children’s Panchayats were strongly in favour of conducting a study.

A STUDY IN PROGRESS Children developed criteria for the selection of child researchers and on its basis selected the child researchers. Training workshop was conducted for Children during in which  Children identified objectives of the study  Identified certain research techniques and tools  Developed the parameters for the study  Finalised methodology (research methods, type and numbers of sample population, detailed plan of implementing the study)

A STUDY IN PROGRESS Child researchers shared the information from the workshop with other members and community They carried out micro-planning for implementation of the study Study is being conducted:  Resource (sources of accessing alcohol) mapping  Drawing  Interview (will be done with 7 different groups of people, with distinct interview schedules)  Focus group discussion (will be done with 10 different groups, with 10 distinct FGD checklists)

A STUDY IN PROGRESS

STEPS AHEAD Consolidation, tabulation and analysis of the findings from the study Preparation of action plan on the basis of the findings Developing appropriate strategies for child-led advocacy Sharing of information to the community though appropriate fora, methods and strategies Documentation of the process with children and deconstructing the research with children.