The inauguration of the two-day National Seminar on ‘SAMPRATHI 2018 - Ensuring Child Rights in India: A Challenge’ organised by the MSW Department of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru in association with Karnataka Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPSW) was held on 25th September 2018 at Eric Mathias Hall.

Dr Kripa Amar Alva, Former Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) inaugurated the seminar. Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ presided over the programme. Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Principal, Sri N.V. Vasudeva Sharma, Executive Director, Child Rights Trust, Bengaluru, Ms Shwetha Rasquinha, HOD of MSW, Ms Prithvi M., Convenor of the National Seminar were on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr Kripa Amar Alva enlightened the audience about the importance of understanding a child from a different perspective. She also said that the child right is violated in the very place the child is born. According to the census, the ratio of boys and girls is 1000 : 898 and 40% of the children are not even step into the portals of School. She urged all the youth to speak for child in distress and also to fight for the rights of children till justice is received.

Rector, Rev Fr Dionysius Vas SJ, spoke about the not-loved child and the over-loved child and highlighted in working for mitigating the menace faced by children in present days due to the various circumstances they are in.

Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Principal of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru also spoke about the relevance of the seminar theme at the present context.

Prof. Hilda Rayappan, Founder and Director of Prajna Counselling Centre, Mangaluru delivered the keynote address.

There were two sessions on the topic “Child Rights in our Education System: An Overview” by Mr Umashankar Periodi, State Head, Karnataka, Azim Premji Foundation, Bengaluru and “Emerging Issues in India’s Juvenile Justice System” by Mr Mathew Thelliyil, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Kannur. There was a theme based Skit Competition conducted.

Besides this, there will be Panel Session on “Prevelence of Child Abuse Today: Different Perspectives” by experts on various topics like “A Teacher’s Perspective” by Ms Sandra Lobo, Associate Professor and HOD of Psychology, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, “From the Parental View Point” by Ms Purnima Venkat, Asst. Professor, School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, “A Child Welfare Professional’s Experience” by Mr Reni D’Souza, Executive Director, PADI-VALORED, “The Legal Outlook” by Mr Nikesh Shetty, Advocate Mangaluru and Former Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, DK District. Dr Roweena Wright, Dean Academics, Dept of MBA, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), was the Moderator for the panel discussions.

Assistant Professor, Prithwi M. welcomed the gathering. HOD of MSW, Shwetha  Rasquinha introduced the guests. Sri N.V. Vasudeva Sharma, Executive Director, Child Rights Trust, Bengaluru, briefed about the seminar. Priyanka Ain compered the programme. Riya Tomy proposed the vote of thanks.