UNDERSTANDING CHILD PARTICIPATION

1
UNDERSTANDING CHILD PARTICIPATION
ARUNODHAYA

• A general book based on
• Arunodhayas experience

2
Foreward
Arunodhayas vision of building a social movement
that will uproot all form of exploitation and
oppression of children envisages the
participation of children. In its journey towards
a society that promote and protect the basic
human rights of children Arunodhaya has been
building up partnership with children creating
spaces and opportunities for children to exercise
their right to participate, to express their
views, to voice their opinion, to initiate
actions to promote rights of children. It has
been a challenging and refreshing experience of
working with the children, accompanying them in
the process of ensuring their right to
participate. It is indeed fascinating to witness
the children blossoming from the stage of child
labourers to championing the cause of rights of
the children. It has been a long felt need at
Arunodhaya that this rich experience of working
with the children should be documented for the
purpose of revisiting the experience, learning
from the experience and sharing with others. And
this need has been fulfilled with the
intervention of ASMAE, French based NGO working
for children. Arunodhayas partnership with
ASMAE started in 2000 in the field of child
participation. They have been supporting
Arunodhaya in its programmes with Children
Sangams. As a continuation of this partnership
ASMAE offered the services of a volunteer to
document the experience of Arunodhaya in its
child participation. Ms. Sophie Delecroix
extended her service as Volunteer with Arunodhaya
from May 2004 to April 2005. During her tenure
she observed, interacted, interviewed children
and other stakeholders, devised and conducted
trainings and added her reflections. Her
experience has come out in the form of three
books  - Understanding child participation A
general book - Becoming a child participation
facilitator- A manual for training Adults on
facilitating Child Participation.  - Creating
Space for child participation A tool kit to
promote child participation In the first book
Sophie captures the initiative, process and
challenges of Child participation as experienced
by Arunodhaya. The second book provides
guidelines on organizing training for Adults to
be effective facilitators. The third book is a
practical guide with hands on sheet that equips a
facilitator to work with children. This
excellent documentation is not only a treasure to
Arunodhaya but will be helpful to other
organizations who work on the field of child
participation. We record our deep appreciation
and thanks to Sophie who has done an excellent
work. We also place on record our thanks to ASMAE
for this great support. Virgil D
Sami Kristalna Perrody Director of
Arunodhaya National Coordinator Asmae
 
3

• All the information contained in this document
  is based on Arunodhayas experience in the North
  and South of Chennai.

AREA Childrens sangam (Feb. 2005) Kodambakkam
Akbarabad Arubathu Kudisai Valliammal
Thottam Kodunghyur M.G.R.Nagar
Korukkupet Ambedkar Nagar Bharathi
Nagar Bojaraja Nagar Coronation
Nagar Kannagi Nagar Minambal Nagar J.J.
Nagar Sigirantha Palayam Thiruvalluvar
Nagar Thandaiyarpet Nehru Nagar Sivaji
Nagar T. Nagar Dhanakottiammal
Thottam Dideer Nagar Rajapillai
Thottam Muthureddy Thottam Tondiarpet Thilaga
r Nagar Washermenpet Cementary Road Pitchandi
Lane
4
Summary

• 1. Objectives and methodology p.5
• 2. General presentation of Arunodhaya p.7
• 3. A Framework for child participation the
  UNCRC p.14
• 4. Child participation by Arunodhaya definition
  and stakes p.16
• 5. The program focused on participation the
  Children s sangam p.26
• 6. Child Participation as a new way of
  living p.47
• 7. Futur orientations for Child participation in
  Arunodhaya p.50

5
1. Objectives and methodology

• Arunodhaya has been working on the issue of
  child labour in Chennai for 12 years with various
  programs animated by more than 80 social
  animators and co ordinators in the field.
• In 2000, Arunodhaya started to experiment child
  participation, in a informal way, as a tool to
  eradicate child labour and promote education for
  all. In 2001, the childrens sangam were formed.
• Today, more than 600 children are active members
  of Arunodhaya Childrens sangam.
• The objectives of this book are
• To transmit the philosophy of Arunodhayas work
  on child participation
• To share policies and practices
• To analyze the lessons learned from the field
  experience
• The Methodology Asmae and Arunodhaya
  partnership
• Asmae is a french organisation focused on the
  improvment of the situation of the children,
  intervening in 9 countries on the basis of
  partnership with local NGOs
• Arunodhaya and Asmaes partnership started in
  2002 and is now composed of 4 main lines
• The promotion of the child participation program
  through exchange camps between children and
  training for NGOs based on Arunodhayas
  experience
• The set up of the reading classes program in
  Arunodhaya based on Asmaes experience with other
  NGOs
• A financial support to selected programs the
  reading classes program and the childrens sangam
  program
• The participation of french volunteers for short
  term workshops in the existing programs of
  Arunodhaya
• Considering the interest of the experience of
  Arunodhaya on child participation, the two
  partners decided to work together on the
  capitalisation of philosophy, policies and
  practices to keep the memory of this knowledge,
  help the promotion of child participation and its
  implementation by other organisations

6
1. Objectives and methodology

• To create this book, 4 kinds of tools were used
  by a volunteer of Asmae, dedicated to this work
• Interviews of Arunodhayas executive board, staff
  and children members of the childrens sangam
• Survey on all the members of Arunodhaya
  Childrens sangam
• Review of existing literature on childrens
  participation
• Observation/participation with the childrens
  sangam daily life, events and camps

3 different manuals have been designed to cover
the full spectre of child participation


Understanding Child Participation General Book
based on Arunodhayas experience
Creating space for Child Participation Tool Kit
to promote Child Participation
Becoming a Child Participation Facilitator Manual
for training adults on facilitating Child
Participation
7
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya

• Arunodhaya was created in 1992 with the aim of
  building a social movement to uproot all forms of
  exploitation and oppression of children and
  promote and protect the basic human rights of
  children enabling them to enjoy a dignified
  childhood.
• Arunodhayas programs are focused on the slum
  communities of Chennai .
• Arunodhaya is holding a multi faceted approach
  to address the issue of child labour with
  programs empowering women, youth, children,
  domestic workers and the all community.
• Arunodhaya uses both field actions and
  national/international lobbying to insure the
  best effectiveness of its programs.
• A) The philosophy of action
• B) The programs an integrated approach
• C) Childhood and education
• D) Arunodhayas stand about child labour

8
A) The philosophy of action
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
Macro level Defend child rights and their
respect in front of national and international
stakeholders
Lobbying and networking
Arunodhaya
Micro level Empower people to promote and
protect child rights and change their situation
Field interventions
9
B) The programs an integrated approach
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
A range of selected key groups are brought to
participate to the creation of a social movement

Children
Arunodhayas staff
Social movement against the oppression of the
children and for the promotion of their rights
Corporation school teachers
Youth
Education department
Women
National Official Representatives
Families
International Official Representatives
Community
10
B) The programs an integrated approach
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
Program
Intermediate objective
Education intervention
Transit school
To enroll child labourers to corporation school
Reading classes
To motivate the children to learn reading and
writing in corporation school
Final objective Build a Social movement against
the oppression of the children and for the
promotion of their rights
Tuition center
To help children who have difficulties at school
Balwadis
To facilitate womens work and daughters to
attend school
Support groups
Womens groups
To help mothers develop economic and social
activities
Domestic workers
To help domestic workers and child domestic
workers to defend their rights and improve their
situation
Employers
To visit, meet and sensibly acknowledge the
conditions of work of the domestic workers
Youth groups
To organise social activities to improve the
community situation and defend childrens rights
Childrens sangam
To create opportunities for the children to
develop themselves, defend their rights and
improve their situation
Advocacy and lobbying
Advocacy and lobbying
To support the field activities by visible
campaigns and lobbying towards stakeholders on a
network process
11
C) Childhood and education
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
In this world, education is important people
look at your education first to give you a
place Saranya, 17

• Childhood must be comprised of
• Education Play Standard of living for proper
  development Concern of parents and community on
  guidance and protection
• Every child must have access to education up to
  18 years
• A common school system must be implemented to
  ensure qualitative and equitable education to all
  children
• Education must be free up to 18 years/10th
  standard
• ? Every boy or girl under 18 years old is a child
• ? Children under 15 years old must not work
• ? Child labour can be eradicated
• ? All kinds of child labour has to be condemned
• ? A child who doesnt go to school is a potential
  child labourer
• ? Part time work/school is not a valuable
  solution
• ? All the children have the same rights whatever
  their social background and family situations are
• ? The community is responsible for its children
• ? Poverty is not the only reason for child labour

D) Arunodhayas stand about child labour
12
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
D) Arunodhayas stand about child labour
Lack of awareness about the importance of
education
Interest of the employers for low salary and
submitted employees
Educational system and school atmosphere
Unbalanced family situations and migration
creating financial problems
Drop out from school
WORK

• Education missing for the development of the
  child
• Risk of physical damage
• Risk of acquiring bad habits
• Lack of knowledge to analyse a situation and take
  decisions
• Lack of steps in the childs development due to
  strong responsibilities

• Difficulties
• to understand the stakes around education
• to be personally balanced and confident
• to be responsible for the family
• to be active in the community
• to respect the rights of the others

In India, we say that children are God but its
also the country where the children are the
most exploited Suresh, 16
13
2. General presentation of Arunodhaya
D) Arunodhayas stand about child labour
Some parents dont understand that girl also need
to be educated to become someone in life Mala, 14

• The case of the child domestic workers
• An easy process to employ children at work- no
  need for skills - women bring their children
  with them to work - they finally start working
  also- children are more docile and less paid
• A precarious situation- domestic workers are not
  considered as child labourers- child domestic
  workers are left alone and isolated- child
  domestic workers are frequently abused
  physically, sexually and psychologically
• The girls an evident situation of disrespect
• of the fundamental rights
• Particularly exposed to work situation
• Access to education limited
• Development of capabilities, opportunities and
  aspirations historically limited
• Lack of freedom to socialise
• Responsibilities given a home
• Dowry problems
• Early marriage

14
3. A framework for Child Participation the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is
  a United Nations agreement ratified on 20
  November 1989 (by India on 11 December 1992).
• Today ratified by 183 countries that engage
  themselves to be controlled on their respect of
  it, the UNCRC contains 54 articles covering
• Survival rights adequate living standard,
  shelter, nutrition...
• Development rights education, play and leisure
• Protection rights safeguard against abuses and
  exploitation
• Participation rights active role in the
  community and nation
• As the first universal treaty concerning
  exclusively childrens rights, its a reference
  for knowledge, a tool to defend the rights of the
  child, a base for discussion and comprehension
• The Article 12
• 1. States parties shall assure to the child who
  is capable of forming his or her own views the
  right to express those views freely in all
  matters affecting the child, the views of the
  child being given due weight in accordance with
  the age and maturity of the child
• 2. For this purpose, the child shall in
  particular be provided the opportunity to be
  heard in any judicial and administrative
  proceedings affecting the child, either directly,
  or through a representative or appropriate body,
  in a manner consistent with the procedural rules
  of national laws.

The right to participate is the most important
because all the children must be free and
participation leads to freedom Suresh, 16
15
3. A framework for Child Participation the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child

• The complements
• Article 13 freedom of expression
• 1. The child shall have the right to freedom of
  expression, this right shall include freedom to
  seek, receive and impart information and ideas of
  all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either
  orally, in writing or in print, in the form of
  art, or through any other media of the childs
  choice.
• 2. The exercise of this right may be subject to
  certain restriction, but these shall only be such
  as are provided by law and are necessary
• for respect of the rights and reputations of
  others or
• for the protection of national security or of
  public order or of public health and morals
• Article 15 freedom of assembly
• 1. States Parties recognize the rights of the
  child to freedom of association and freedom of
  peaceful assembly
• 2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise
  of these rights other than those imposed in
  conformity with the law and which are necessary
  in a democratic society in the interests of
  national security or public safety, public order,
  the protection of public health or morals or the
  protection of the rights and freedoms of others
• Article 17 access to information
• States Parties recognize the important function
  performed by the mass media to disseminate
  information and material from a diversity of
  national and international sources, especially
  those aimed at the promotion of his or her
  social, spiritual and moral well-being and
  physical and mental health. To this end, States
  Parties shall
• encourage the mass media to disseminate
  information and material of social and cultural
  benefit to the child and in accordance with the
  spirit of article 29
• encourage international cooperation in the
  production, exchange and dissemination of such
  information and material from a diversity of
  cultural, national and international sources
• encourage the production and dissemination of
  childrens books
• encourage the mass media to have particular
  regard to the linguistic needs of the child who
  belongs to a minority group or is indigenous
• encourage the development of appropriate
  guidelines for the protection of the child from
  information and material injurious to his or her
  well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of
  articles 13 and 18

16
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes

• By implementing childrens sangam program,
  Arunodhaya experiments the reality of child
  participation.
• Based on this experience, Arunodhaya has defined
  a conceptual framework about what child
  participation is and what it changes, about the
  benefits expected, the level of participation,
  the conditions for effective participation and
  the potential brakes.
• A) Elements of definition
• B) The consequences of Child Participation
• C) The benefits of Child Participation
• C) The scope of Child Participation

17
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes

• A) Elements of definition
• The roots of participation the principle of
  democracy
• Re-balance the social relations
• by giving participation to the civil society
• through democratic processes
• With the new generations
• As an example for the other marginalized
  communities
• The aim of participation Freedom and dignity
• ?To be free and able to choose live the sort of
  life one wants to live
• ? To be respected as a member of the human
  community with the same rights as every one else

• What is child participation ?
• All the children have the right to
• for concerns
• regarding children
• linked with childrens experience
• identified by children
• in the best interest of the children

• expressing views and concerns
• taking decisions concerning their situation
• acting on the application of their decisions

Be taken seriously in
If you give me a topic to speak on and I have to
elaborate my opinion about it, then I have the
feeling that I participate Malathi, 16
18
B) The consequences of child participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
Child participation leads to a new approach for
the childrens development programs
Approach based on the issue
Approach based on participation
Community
School
Family
School
Family
Community
Global and integrated solutions based on
positive action
Fragmented solutions based on problems

• Participation is not an additional component of
  the development
• Participation is the key issue

• Child participation leads to a new consideration
  for childrens views
• As individuals, children have their own specific
  experiences and they are in the best position to
  talk about their own problems
• Children have a strong perception of injustice
  and discrimination
• Children dont usually put any personal stakes or
  political opinions in their actions
• Children admit that they have to learn from the
  more experienced, and are flexible in their
  thoughts
• Children are usually optimistic, pro active and
  don t act with cynism

19
B) The consequences of child participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
Child participation leads to new relationships
between adults and children
Adults
Children
Adults are no longer responsible for the children
and their issues
Children gain autonomy towards parents
Adults give opportunities to children for
expression and action in a spirit of partnership,
guidance and respect
Children express and act towards their concerns
if they want to
Children depreciate adult experiences and
expertise
Adults have nothing to learn from children
Adults learn from children about their
experiences and their wishes
Children get advice from adults on what is good
for them
Parents should have a say because they have more
experience but children can have a plan, they
know it might be successful, but they cant
achieve it Alex, 18
20
C) The Benefits of child participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
Individual level ?
Collective level ???

• Education
• Self esteem, personality development and
  capacity of judgment
• Knowledge about their Rights and access to
  justice
• Capacity of respecting the others as highly as
  they are respected themselves

• ? Conditions of living by adapted answers to the
  reality of the life
• New status for the children in the society and
  new relations between adults and children
• Peer guidance/councilor

PRESENT

• Skills and aspirations to be active in the
  professional life
• Awareness about the family responsibilities

FUTURE

• Adults responsible in the community
• Defenders of the childrens rights and new
  generations  support for participatin activities

Since I got involved in the childrens sangam,
my parents are proud of me, the local leader
respect us, it gives me the opportunity to
build myself, as a person, with more
confidence Saranya, 17
21
D) The scope of child participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
After joining Arunodhaya, people started to
respect me. Now, when something is organised in
my area, Im invited because I did something
for my community Rajendran, 16
There are different levels of child
participation, from manipulation to effective
participation
Participation
Children are involved since the beginning and
have all the information they need to make
decisions

Children participate in entertainement programs
but don t have enough information to understand
the purpose
Decoration
Children are declared as participants but
effective participation doesn t exist
Tokenism
-
Manipulation
Children have no information to understand the
situation and hence can t make any decisions
22
D) The scope of child participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
Child participation can be implemented at
different steps of a project
N
? Evaluate
O
? Act On
I
? Choose the process
T
? Choose the action
A
P
? Choose the method
I
? Be part of the decision
C
? Express views
I
? Understand
T
R
? Get Informed
A
P
23
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
D) The scope of child participation
Child participation can take different shape
Participation through a structure
Deep impact Sustainable in the long term
All are relevant but with a different bearing
Personal impact May not be Sustainable in the
long term
Individual Participation
Country
Family
School
Community
24
E) The conditions for effective child
participation
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
D) The scope of child participation
Child participation can be implemented in various
areas of childrens life
School
Family
Give views about decisions concerning their
life eg professional future of the child
Participate to the management of the school eg
definition of the rules together
State/world
Community
Increase the situation of the community eg
provision of water for the community
Reveal the injustices and fight for the respect
of the rights eg revelation of the child
workers situation

• Relationship between adults and children
• Trust
• Mutual respect and esteem
• Interests
• Availability of Information
• Childrens Training on skill development
• Because children have to be able to manage
  participation themselves
• Adultss training on listening, capacity building
  and facilitating
• 1st reason for failure is the misunderstanding
  about what is participation
• Technical and financial ressources for specific
  programs focused on child participation (eg
  childrens sangam)

25
F) Stakeholders and potential brakes
4. Child participation by Arunodhaya
definition and stakes
Parents

• Will I lose my authority over my child as he
  becomes more independant and solves his own
  problems ?
• What does my child do exactly in this club ?
• My child spends too much time in the Childrens
  sangam !
• What my neighbours think about my daughter s
  activities ?

• involve
• inform

Teachers

• Will I lose my authority over the children as
  they get used to taking initiatives ?
• Will I have the capacity to answer the questions
  ?
• Wont they prefer to spend time in participation
  activities rather than studying ?
• Do children really understand by themselves ?
• Should we give so much of space to the children ?

• inform
• train
• demonstrate

• Will I lose my authority over the children as
  they get used to taking initiatives ?
• Will I have the capacity to answer childrens
  issues ?
• Am I able to initiate participation activities ?
• Arent we going too fast in implementing
  participation ?
• Do I favour my opinion or the childrens point of
  view ?
• Are the children able to implement thought into
  action?

Social

• train
• follow
• share

a nimators
26
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• Arunodhaya believes that child participation has
  to be promoted and supported in all programs and
  projects regarding children.
• But, to facilitate the understanding of child
  participation concept and build the foundations
  of a new perception of childrens place in the
  society, Arunodhaya has progressively created a
  specific platform of expression for the children
  the childrens sangam.
• The childrens sangam are a space for learning
  democratic practices and rights, a capabilities
  and self confidence learning centre and a
  supportive environment for the implementations of
  the actions decided by the children.
• A) The origins of the childrens sangam
• B) The objectives of the childrens sangam
• C) what is a sangam ?
• D) Annual calendar and action plan process
• E) The structure of the Confederation of
  Arunodhaya childrens sangam
• F) The meetings
• G) Roles and decision process
• H) The camps and training
• I) The special events
• J) The activities of the childrens sangam

27
A) The origins of the childrens sangam
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• The creation of the childrens sangam is a
  result of Arunodhayas interaction with the
  former child labourers mainstreamed to formal
  education. The childrens sangam are initiated
  and organised by children - supported by adults.
  They are based on the needs of the Indian
  standards.
• They were built in a progressive construction of
  6 steps
• 1. the identification of the child labourers and
  their integration in formal education
• Enrollment campaign, surveys in family, employers
  visits
• Enrollment in Arunodhayas Transit school for 1
  year training
• Enrollment in the formal corporation school
• 2. the mainstreamed child labourers follow up
• Interaction with mainstreamed child labourers to
  sustain them in schools
• schools visits (once or twice in a month) gtthe
  animators monitor the progress of the children in
  the school and build up a report in co-ordination
  with the school teachers
• coaching classes sponsored by Arunodhaya gt the
  animators give assistance and support in the
  education of the children
• responsibilization of the children to motivate
  and sustain each other
• as a continuation of the school visits, there was
  an idea to conduct meetings for these children
• to keep a link among the children and the
  animators
• to motivate and develop an interest for education
• to create respect of the school environment by
  developing consultation
• 3. the creation of recreation centres
• To facilitate the contact with the children and
  make the follow up easier,

28
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
A) The origins of the childrens sangam

• 4. the promotion of informal participation
• regular meetings among the children
• ?
• success in
• 1/ retention of mainstreamed children in formal
  school
• 2/ providing space for child participation
• ?
• a group identity is progressively created in
  several areas
• 5. the organisation of camps in may 2001
• To strengthen these groups and give them a
  common orientation, a one day orientation camps
  is organised in the community for several groups
  constituted as clubs
• selection of the needs regarding the rights
  defined in the UN Convention
• identification of the main problems of the
  children in their community (water supply,
  playground, education)
• design of an action plan

We have to fight against child labour As a former
worker, I talked to many child labourers to
convince them to go back to school Rajendran, 16
29
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
B) The objectives macro-level
At the present time, they can defend themselves
against any abuses
The children understand their own rights and
their contribution to the society
As they grow up, they will be a strong force
against all forms of child exploitation and for
education
to promote the rights of all the children
An improvement in their personal and community
situation
The children participate directly in the society
to address issues related to their rights
A new model of society with children as partners
in the community building process
The Childrens sangam help me to be aware of the
situation around me. I have now a better
knowledge about my rights Sita, 15
30
B) The objectives - micro level
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• To provide a forum for children to associate and
  express their views
• To give a tool for practicing children
  citizenship and democratic principles
• To create an awareness on the concept of rights
  of the child
• To equip children with skills to promote and
  protect these rights
• To ensure that childrens perspective enrich
  Arunodhayas knowledge on issues related to
  rights of children.
• A collective of children sharing common identity
  and values, organised in a democratic and
  formalized structure based on the framework of
  the UNCRC to facilitate participation and
  involvement of children with the guidance of
  facilitators who provide space, technical
  support, training, guidance, resources

C) What is a Sangam ?
With the Childrens sangam, I have the
opportunity to involve myself, to go and
represent the others and see different
situations. My desire to change the things is
stronger now Mala 14
By participating, children can improve their
situation Malathi, 16
31
D) Annual Calendar and action plan process
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
Area level
Planning camp
Fortnightly meetings
Leaders election
Leaders election
Leaders election
Leaders election
Activities and special campaign
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Republic Day Pongal Festival
Facilitators training
School enrolment campain
Leader ship Camp
Child labour fredom Day
Convention Day
Network level
Independence Day
Exchange camps
Anti child labour day (30)
Editorial board meeting
Editorial board meeting
Editorial board meeting
Editorial board meeting
Network meeting
Network meeting
Network meeting
Network meeting
Activities and special campaign
32
D) Annual Calendar and action plan process
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
area level
Panning camp
Leadership camp
Fortnightly meeting
Action plan finalization
Action plan design
Action Plan application
EVALUATION
network level
Leadership camp
Network meeting
Action plan design
Action plan application
Fortnightly meeting
EVALUATION
33
E) The structure
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
Confederation of the Childrens Sangam

Executive Committee
Leaders
3 to 5 leaders per Childrens Sangam
22 Childrens sangam
3 leaders
members
young facilitator
adult facilitator
34
E) The structure
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• THE CHILDRENS SANGAMS
• composition
• Both boys and girls
• between the age group 10 18 so that they can
  understand their rights and participate
  effectively
• 3 child leaders elected for 3 months, in the
  Planning camp
• president responsible for the lead of the
  sangam and the minutes of the meeting
• secretary responsible for the registration book
  and reports
• treasurer responsible for the collect of the
  subscription and the global budget
• one adult or young facilitator
• membership
• Rs.2/- as monthly subscription to the sangam
• ID Card (5 rupees subscription)
• membership form with information about the child
• follow up of the attendance of the meetings
• meeting fortnightly meeting / Camps
• THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CONFEDERATION
• composition
• President lead of the network

35
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• F) THE MEETINGS
• THE FORTNIGHTLY MEETINGS
• Period 2 times a month special meetings
  according to the actuality
• Purpose
• to implement the action plan of the area
• to deal with new issues that should come in the
  area
• to participate toward the achievement of common
  actions decided by the Confederation
• Participants all the members in their area
• Methodology
• facilitated by the children, based on games for
  group building and personality development,
  knowledge on the Rights of children
• Structure
• introduction song - minutes - discussion on
  issues - games - registration signature
• THE NETWORK MEETINGS
• Period once in three months
• Purpose

36
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• G) ROLE AND DECISION PROCESS
• THE ROLE OF ARUNODHAYA
• Macro level
• Create awareness on public opinion about
  childrens issues, rights and interests
• Initiate change in societys behaviour
• Give the Children s sangam an opportunity to
  know and get known nationaly and internationaly
• Micro level
• Give support to the children training,
  structure, financial resources
• Co ordinate the activities of the sangam
• Link the activites of the Children s sangam with
  the other Arunodhaya s programs
• THE ROLE OF THE CHILDREN
• Be responsible
• Invest themselves
• Develop competency
• Gain autonomy
• Listen to adults and fellow children
• Respect the rules of the Sangam

Before thinking about something, I consider
myself as a part of a group and decide the best
thing for all Suresh, 16
37
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• G) ROLE AND DECISION PROCESS
• THE ROLE OF THE YOUNG FACILITATORS
• Young facilitators are childrens sangam members
  with experience and animators qualities.
• They participate to a Training with sessions on
  effective facilitating and basic qualities of a
  facilitator and on issues relative to child
  rights
• ?
• Be a model of empowerment
• Facilitate listen, inform, guide, motivate,
  give confidence, co ordinate, assist monitoring
  and evaluation, provide analytical perspective
• Initiate new childrens sangam
• Develop network between sangams
• THE ROLE OF THE ADULTS FACILITATORS
• Listen
• Inform
• Guide
• Motivate
• Give confidence

Its to be like a guide for everybody but Im
still young, I need to learn Saranya, 17
In the childrens sangam, we develop friendship
with the adults. Its very good Suresh, 16
38
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
Every one has his opinion and puts it on the
table and then we choose the best. Adults help
us to focus on important subjects Arun Kumar, 16
G) ROLE AND DECISION PROCESS
Initiative of the issue
Decide
Motivate
Definition of the project
Design
Inform
Process of acting
Guide
Plan
Carrying out of the plan
Act
Co ordinate Provide resource
Evaluation
Review
Facilitate
The criterias Decisions and actions ?
regarding their own life ? based on what they
need and not what they want ? accessible in terms
of time and resource ? that will not unbalance
education
39
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• H) CAMPS AND TRAINING
• THE PLANNING CAMP
• Level area level
• Period once a year
• Purpose Annual Plan of Action for the area
  level of the children's Sangams
• Participants all members of each childrens
  sangam
• Example of topics
• UNCRC
• Evaluation of child participation in school,
  community and family
• Millenium
• UNCRC Report
• Information on Childrens rights and child labour
  issue
• Evaluation of Area Level Activities
• Plan of action based on the analysis of the needs
  and wants of ones own community
• Election of the leaders
• Review of the plan of action based on the impact
  analysis
• THE LEADER SHIP CAMP

40
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• I) THE SPECIAL EVENTS THE CONVENTION
• once a year, in November
• for all the Childrens Sangam
• based on a theme
• E.g. childrens participation in governance
  (Convention 2003)
• E.g. Safety in school is my right (Convention
  2004)
• special guests
• Children
• Women from the Self help groups and Youth sangams
  
• Teachers and community leaders
• Guest included Principal College, Government
  officials specially from the department of
  labour, education, police and social welfare,
  Rotary and Lion Club, Officials from Bharat
  Scouts and Guides, Trade Union representatives
• Chennai Corporation councilors
• NGOs partners
• preparation process
• Collect of information related to the subject of
  the Convention
• Input session with a resource person

41
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• I) THE SPECIAL EVENTS THE CONVENTION
• Model Agenda
• Sports events
• Cultural expression
• Ex Interview in radio and TV programs,
  Advertisement, Rally, Demonstration, Skit, Self
  Composed Song Dance, Petitioning the
  Authorities, Debate, Villupattu, Kabbadi
• Exhibition of the CS activities
• Evaluation of the Area level Childrens sangam
• to evaluate how far their activities were
  effective in addressing the issue of child rights
• to raise their demands to the society based on
  the evaluation
• Convention demands
• Example of a Declaration of the Convention
  demands
• prepared by the Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
  Confederation during its area level evaluation
  schedule - Convention 2002
• Child labour should be condemned in all forms
  without classifying as Hazardous and Non
  Hazardous.
• Restoration of Basic Amenities like drinking
  water, Drainage, Roads and Road lights.
• Regular vigilance in Civil Supplies fair price
  shops.
• To make Free, Qualitative education a fundamental
  rights to all children up to 18 years.
• To improve the infrastructures in the corporation
  schools and to appoint teachers in the vacant
  positions especially in North Chennai.

42
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• I) THE SPECIAL EVENTS THE ANTI CHILD LABOUR
  DAY, 30 of April
• Anti Child Labour Day is observed nationally to
  protest against the inhuman practice of employing
  children, which challenges their basic rights
• The Arunodhaya Childrens sangam observe this day
  to express their solidarity and create public
  opinion against child labour
• The observance of the Anti Child Labour Day is
  totally coordinated and organised by the children
  since 2003
• ? Rallies, Street plays, Street corner meetings,
  Public Meetings

Im a domestic worker and I want my sister to
concentrate on her studies so Ill do whatever
I can to eradicate child labour Saranya, 17
Why people dont understand that child labour
spoils the future of the children ? Jayganesh, 13
43
J) The activities of the childrens sangam sum
up
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
The childrens sangam act in the 4 areas of
advocacy/lobbying, information, action and
administration/research with a range of tools
Advocacy/ lobbying
Action
Administration/ Research
Information
Rallys
Surveys
Petitions
Newsletter
Street plays
Analysis
Represen tation
Conference
Demons trations
Evaluation
Campaigns
Publicity
We do survey to help the community. We try to
understand what people need Jayganesh, 13
44
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION
• Intensive school enrollment campaigns organised
  by the children in their localities
• door to door survey of non enrolled children
• motivating the children and their parents
• organising rallies in the community with the
  participation of adults
• assisting the local schools in the Enrollment of
  children
• monitoring of child labour situation in the
  community
• Self-funded coaching classes organised by the
  local children's sangam
• in order to help themselves in the education and
  to promote the right to education to their fellow
  children in the community.
• Mini Libraries set up in each community with the
  weeklies and monthlies available in their houses.
  
• Awareness programs in the community based on the
  right for education for all the children
• ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO PLAY AND
  VACATION
• Actions to clean the available playgrounds in
  localities used for recreation purposes
• Indoor and Outdoor play materials maintained at
  the sangam for the use of the children
• Games organised during the Childrens sangam
  meetings

45
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO STANDARD OF
  LIVING
• Issues that affect childrens physical standard
  of living like Regular supply of Drinking water,
  Cleaning of the sewage canals and cleaning of
  water tanks, supplying of public distribution
  system in the areas
• Contact with the local leaders, civic
  authorities, and government offices to fulfill
  the community needs.
• Set up of mini parks in the school premises and
  in the supplementary/coaching centres to keep
  their school environment green and clean.
• ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE
• Design, planning and organisation of the
  childrens sangam activities
• Participation to the different meetings and camps
  of the childrens sangam
• Participation of childrens sangam members in
  sessions and workshops organised by NGOs,
  government in relation with child labour and
  education
• Election of a childrens sangam member as child
  representative to the Task Force on Child
  Participation under the Child Workers in Asia
  (CWA) (Network of Asian NGOs to address child
  labour and child rights issues based at Bangkok,
  Thailand.)

46
5. The program focused on participation
Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam

• ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO EXPRESSION
• Convention Day
• evaluation of the annual activities
• expression of ideas and demands to the community
  and the social leaders
• Street theatre performance training for
  performance during the women group meetings,
  Arunodhayas programs, Formal school programs on
  the child labour, child rights and education
  issues, early marriage, security in school
• Campaigns on issues related to the rights of the
  children on their own with the support and
  assistance of the local community
• Petitions to the authorities concerned on the
  problems in drainage, Irregularity of water
  supply, Maintenance of streetlights, Repair and
  reconstruction of roads, Availability of
  commodities in the civil supplies shops
• The Childrens sangam edit a newsletter 4 times a
  year named Chiterumbu Pesudhu with an editorial
  board of 26 members elected during the Planning
  camp and trained through a Journalism Workshop
• Children and young facilitators as resource
  persons for adults training on child
  participation for NGOs

47
6. Child Participation as a new way of living

• Childrens participation is not an isolated
  program
• Childrens participation program is a starting
  point to promote childrens participation in all
  aspects of their lives
• Childrens participation is a new way of living
  based on
• A larger place for the children in the society
  in term of information, decision and action
• New relations between adults and children in
  families, communities and schools, national and
  international level

48
Child participation In the Family
6. Child Participation as a new way of living

• Present Situation
• children participate in the household work and in
  earning money for the family
• adults decide for them in what they perceive to
  be the childs and familys best interests
• children have no opportunity to ask any question
  regarding the family issues

• Objective
• childrens opinion and views are taken in
  consideration in relation to the participation in
  household work and money earnings for the family
  with the background of the rights of the child
  and the respect of the different stages of
  development of the child
• children join the family discussion and influence
  decision
• children have answer to their questions and
  express their opinion

Child participation at School

• Present situation
• children are expected to listen and not to ask
  any question
• children are educated in a authoritarian way
• childrens opinions and views are not taken into
  consideration in the school activities and the
  preparation and design of the program

• Objective
• interactive participatory classroom
• child friendly environment
• children are consulted and involved in the
  planning and orientation of the school activities

49
Child Participation In the Community
6. Child Participation as a new way of living

• Present situation
• children are not heard when they complain about
  their right
• children are not protected and respected
• children are not asked their opinion

• Objective
• children are taken seriously by the local leaders
• childrens rights are respected by all adults
• children are included in the decision process
  regarding themselves

Child Participation at the National and
International level
Present situation children have no space to give
their opinion on legislation, policies and
programs concerning themselves childrens voice
is not heard when they make representation about
the lack of implementation of the laws concerning
themselves
Objective mechanisms are created to allow
children to give their opinion childrens
voice is respected and actions are initiated to
respect the protective laws
50
7. Futur orientations for the Arunodhaya
Childrens Sangam

• Arunodhaya Children s sangam level
• To become a pillar in the community concerning
  the right of education for all by
• training new young facilitators and adults
• developping community support
• enlarge ACS with the opening of new sangams
• increase lobbying/advocacy and mass media actions
• e.g lobbying for a common school system
• e.g lobbying for the creation of the National
  Commission for children
• To work on new issues
• Right to play for all children
• Right to work for youths
• Standard of living and right to chairtale
• Environment (open garbage, plastic)
• Network between organisations
• To share the experience of ACS with other
  childrens organisations and NGOs and provide
  training in order to develop child participation
• To create a network (with mechanisms to monitor
  and evaluate) between childrens organisations
  and NGOs in order to develop a strong lobby and
  pressure group

51
Appendix CWA, an international network on
child participation

• The vision of the CWA (Child Workers in Asia)
  concerning child participation
• It is an informed and willing involvement of all
  children including those who are
  differently-abled and those at risk in any matter
  concerning them either directly or indirectly.
• It is the most important principle and element in
  CRC that cuts across all other rights namely the
  right to development, survival and protection.
• It is an evolving concept, it is a value which
  cuts across all programs and takes place in all
  areas from homes to governments, from local to
  international levels.
• The composition of the CWA task force on child
  participation
• 14 members 7 adults 7 children
• representing NGOs and childrens organisation
• from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri
  lanka
• One member from Arunodhaya Childrens Sangam
• One adult representative from Arunodhaya

52
Appendix CWA, an international network on
child participation

• Childrens participation enables children to
• Belong
• Be heard
• Be important
• Contribute
• Get to know their problems and solve them
• Participate in all decision making forums
• Develop their potentials and talents
• Be a continuing part of many solutions
• Be organised for making collective efforts
• Interact and build relations with other children
  and with adults
• Children gave the caution that
• Childrens participation should be genuine, and
  an empowering process
• It should not be tokenistic and adults should not
  use children and their spaces to earn money

53
Appendix Bibliography

• Learning to work together
• A handbook for managers on facilitating
  childrens participation in actions to address
  child labour
• RWG-CL (Regional Working Group on Child Labour)
• Working Childrens Participation in Actions
  Against the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Asia
• Report on a rapid assessment conducted April-June
  2000
• RWG-CL (Regional Working Group on Child Labour)
• Standing up for ourselves
• A study on the concepts and practices of the
  young peoples rights to participation
• UNICEF
• Promoting Childrens Participation in Democratic
  Decision-Making
• Gerison Lansdown, UNICEF
• Its Only right !
• A practical guide to learning about the
  Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Susan Fountain, UNICEF

54
Appendix Portfolio

• The children working on their rights during the
  leadership camp
• The President of the Childrens sangam advocating
  for the child rights

55
Appendix Portfolio

• The children playing role to demonstrate the
  importance of safety in school, Convention 2004
• The children receiving prizes from Virgil D
  Sami, director of Arunodhaya
• Convention 2004

56
Appendix Portfolio

• The children with the program co-ordinator during
  an exchange camp

57

• Arunodhayas vision and mission statement
• Arunodhaya is a non government non profit
  voluntary organisation registered as a Public
  Charitable Trust in the Year 1992.
• Our vision is
• to build a social movement that will uproot all
  form of exploitation and oppression of children
  and promote and protect the basic human rights of
  children enabling them to enjoy a dignified
  childhood.
• We believe that
• all children are born with an inherent right to
  justice, peace and freedom and deserve access to
  all fundamental human rights including education,
  health care, love, respect, security and
  protection
• todays children are future citizens. A nations
  development depends on the development of its
  children
• hence protection and promotion of rights of the
  children should become an inherent component of
  all development activities.
• Our objectives are
• to work towards total elimination of child labour
  in all forms
• to work for the promotion and protection if the
  rights of the child
• to strengthen existing services and provide
  additional support system for the families of
  child workers that will help ensure quality life
  and an environment conductive to the proper
  development of children
• to provide protection and assistance to child
  workers/street children who have been victims of
  various forms of abuse and exploitation
• to conduct action oriented research, document and
  disseminate information on child workers and
  street children
• to network with local national and international
  groups that campaign against all forms of
  exploitation and oppression of children