Feb 12 - 15: Bangalore : Workshop for Journalists on Child Labour and Children and Media

ANNOUNCEMENT

Workshop for Journalists on "Child Labour and Children and Media"

In conjunction with

the 5^th annual meeting of the Network of Women in Media, India

Bangalore, 9-11 February 2007

Workshop dates:  12-15 February 2007

Deadline for registration:  15 January 2007

The workshop for journalists (male and female) will be designed and conducted by the Concerned for Working Children, Bangalore. The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) -- a secular, democratic, national, private development agency -- is one of the first organisations in India to work exclusively on the issue of child labour and rights. CWC was one of the earliest advocates for policy and legislative changes in India relating to child labour; it has been a prime mover in the regional movement against child labour and the promotion of children's participation in the international arena.

CWC is noted as a pioneering organisation in children's and civil society participation, not only in the region, but globally. Its work towards empowering children and enabling adults for the past 25 years has contributed extensively to create local, national and international spaces for children's participation.

For more details see:  www.workingchild.org

Workshop details

The workshop for journalists – open to both men and women -- will be highly interactive and will build on the knowledge base and experience of the participants. They will be conducted in English. If translations are required, they can be planned for – although this will reduce the amount of time for inputs and interaction. 

The workshop has been designed in a modular fashion to enable journalists interested in the issues but short of time to participate to the extent and level feasible:  one day, two days or four days (the latter option includes the field trip). 

Of course, the field visit is recommended – not only is the work being done by children through the Makkala Panchayats (children’s panchayats) innovative and exciting, the trip is bound to yield a number of stories for journalists, and that area of Karnataka is very beautiful. 

CWC will take care of (simple) boarding and lodging for the duration of the workshop.  It will not be able to cover travel costs.

Deadline for registration:  15 January 2007

Day 1

This day will be divided into two main sessions. The first session will discuss 'child labour' and the second will deal with 'media and children.'

The first session will take place in the morning and go on until lunch. It will be devoted to examine the issue of child labour – the situation of working children, the root causes that lead to and perpetuate child labour and the possible solutions to address the problem. Our film 'Taking Destiny in their hands' will bring children into the session – indirectly and to let them raise many important issues that have implications world wide. CWC's strategies to address child labour and their impact will also be presented. The session will end with the topic of media's role in addressing child labour.

We would also like to highlight the support the issue of child labour has received from journalists who consistently take up issues related to child labour from the point of view of the 'best interest' of children.

The second session will examine media's relationship with children and their issues. It will take the participants through the processes that led to the formulation of the 'media code to realise children's rights' and its various key sections. This session will also look at the current capacities of the media to play a proactive role to assist children to realise their rights – and also examine what needs to done. In this connection we will also take a look at media education institutions – and how they can offer foundation in the formative years regarding sensitivity to children's issues.  

This session will end with discussions about self-monitoring of the media to ensure that they not only protect children's rights – but also collaborate to ensure that the society does not violate children's rights.  

Day 2

One this day, the two sessions held on day 1 will be deliberated upon in greater detail – with direct interactions with children as well.

The session on child labour will dwell deeper on the existing strategies to address child labour – their short fall as well as take a look at strategies that are making a difference to working child and their lives. This session will discuss about the movements of working children – from the local to the international level – and the issues they raise. It will also present an alternate plan of action that will provide a sustainable solution to child labour.

The post-lunch session that will further examine 'media and children' issues. It will discuss that knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required by media persons to cover children's issues with sensitivity and respect. It will also provide a space for the sharing of 'good media practise examples' from the participants and other examples to draw lessons from. The participants will be encouraged to articulate ideas in order to ensure that their own publications reflect deep concern for children's rights and also ways to monitor and influence a larger body of media practitioners to walk a similar path.

Day 3 and Day 4

Field visits to Kundapur following an overnight journey to Bangalore. At Kundapur the participants can stay at and visit the Namma Bhoomi, CWC's Regional Resource Centre, meet the members of Bhima Sangha, Makkala Panchayats, Makkala Mitras, Chief Executive officers who have welcomed children's participation to contribute to the Panchayat's planning process,   Panchayat presidents who are supported the Makkala Panchayats, the media persons who are assisted the children and the organisation etc.

Venue of the workshop:             Vidyadeep College, CRI Brothers,

28/1, Ulsoor Road

Bangalore

The facilities are basic but clean. There is an attached bathroom for each room. Rooms will be allotted on a shared basis. Bed linen is provided but personal items such as towels and soaps are not. Meals will be prepared by in-house cooks and served in a communal dining hall.

Accommodation in Bangalore at:            Vidyadeep College, CRI Brothers,

28/1, Ulsoor Road

Bangalore

Accommodation in Kundapur at:         Namma Bhoomi, Kanyana Post,  

Hattiangadi Cross,

Kundapura – 576 230

On completion of the programme the participants will return back to Bangalore

If they prefer to travel to any other city, CWC can assist with bookings.

For more details and registration, contact:

The Concerned for Working Children (CWC)
303/2, L.B. Shastri Nagar,
Vimanapura Post,
Bangalore - 560 017

Tel. No.:  91 - 80 - 25234611/25234270
E-mail:  cwc@pobox.com

Web:  www.workingchild.org

Children are citizens today!