Areas of work
The Panchayat Raj Research and training centre works on the following areas:
1. To conduct training programs for elected Panchayat representatives
2. To familiarize students, NGOs and CBOs on the different dimension of Panchayat Raj
3. To initiate policy discussion on Panchayat Raj
4. To undertake field based research in Panchayat Raj
5. To bring out publications of Panchayat Raj
6. To Initiate among the different stake holders to promote Panchayat Raj
Topics Covered Bala Sabha, Child Friendly Panchayats,Field Study,Liaison with Panchayat Raj Institutions
1. Bala Sabha – Building Child Friendly Panchayats
According to Mahatma Gandhi, development of India depends on the development of her villages. One of his dreams was Gram Swaraj. The planning experience at the Panchayat level is still in the infant stage. It has been recognized that there is an urgent need to involve the children in the developmental activities of the Panchayats so that their needs are also met. Though there are certain Government programs for children, they cover only a limited percentage of them.
Objectives
The general objective of the project is to create awareness amongst children, elected representatives and village communities, on the need for informed participation in child development through Bala Sabha. The general objectives are:
1. To create awareness on child development at the Panchayat level
2. To develop a shared agenda on children’s needs through Participatory Rural Appraisal.
3. To create awareness among children on Governance, Panchayat Raj institutions and Community Leadership.
4. To prepare an action plan for the participating Panchayats where a working interface can be created between children and Panchayat representatives.
5. To promote the concept of Bala Sabha or Children’s Parliament in the Panchayats
6. To document the process of building Child Friendly Panchayats through Bala Sabha for evaluation and wider dissemination.
Activities during the year
1. The first meeting of the Joint Action Team of the Project was held on 9th March 2006. The Panchayat Presidents of the six selected Panchayats, experts form the Department of Community Medicine, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research and the staff of Shanti Ashram, participated in the meeting. After elaborate discussion indicators were identified to select a Panchayat as Child Friendly.
2. The UNICEF-funded Project on Bala Sabha – Building Child Friendly Panchayats was inaugurated on 23rd March 2006 by Shri Naresh Gupta, Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. Mr. Thomas George, Communication Officer, UNICEF Tamil Nadu & Kerala, also participated in the program.
3. To bring out a brochure on Building Child Friendly Panchayat materials were gathered and a draft was prepared.
4. A brochure on Building Child Friendly Panchayat was brought out as part of the advocacy dimension of the initiative
5. Field visits & interaction with the participating Panchayat Presidents was also done to finalize the plan of action & Time schedule of activities.
6. The six participating Panchayats are :
Mathvarayapuram
Nachipalayam
Valukkuparai
Maruthur
Somayampalayam
Kalampalayam
Child Friendly Panchayats – A Study of Child Development Indicators in Rural
Panchayats of Tamil Nadu.
Working for children and the potential for creating child friendly villages/child friendly Panchayats has been part of thematic discussion both within the Ashram and with the Panchayat representatives. A common concern and commitment that was expressed in most of the Panchayat Raj training programs conducted by the Ashram was the focus on Caring for Vulnerable Communities, within Panchayats. Most of the Rural Panchayats, demographically still have children as significant part of their constituencies.
Objectives
The general objectives of the project are to conceptualize the development of Child Friendly Panchayats as a pilot initiative. The specific objectives are:
1. To review existing micro level frame-works on Policy and Programs for integrated Child Development at the Panchayat Level.
2. To identify the specific parameters of Child Friendly Panchayats and develop through special consultations with Panchayat representatives, technical experts in Child Health, Education and Nutrition, Specialized UN agencies, including UNICEF who are working with children, NGOs and CBO representatives.
3. To formulate Village Development Plans at the Panchayat level as a pilot initiative to achieve Child Friendly Panchayats.
4. To implement the plan developed by convergence of the existing programs in partnership with various agencies.
5. To document the experiences for scaling up and replication.
Activities during the year
1. Review of literature on existing polices and programs for Child Development and indicators of Child Development.
2. Preparation of an interview schedule for collection of data from the villages of the selected 8 Panchayats.
2. Field Study
1. Ms. Nora, a student of Political Science from Germany, was assisted in carrying out a research study on the role of Panchayat Raj in empowering rural women. After preparing an interview schedule, she covered 30 women Panchayat Presidents/Members from six selected Panchayats.
2. Ms. Chelsea, a student intern from Brigham Young University, visited women Panchayat president & leader in six Panchayat and made a study on the governance experience of women.
3. Liaison with Panchayat Raj Institutions
The Ashram’s Panchayat Raj Research and Training Centre has carried out regular interactions with Panchayat representatives. Further, in cooperation with the other program areas, joint programs have been initiated in the area of health, child development, HIV/AIDS and micro finance. |
