Bal Mela – Inter-school Bal Cabinet Meet 2016
9th November 2016 was a special day in Ichhavar, Madya Pradesh. As part of the 'Bal Mela' or Children's fair organised by Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS), 150 students members of Bal Cabinets or Children’s Parliament and 38 teachers from 60 schools in the region came together to discuss Children’s’ rights in educational institutes.
The event started off with an address note from Asha Mishra, Vice President, BGVS, who spoke about the importance of child rights, and the work BGVS is doing in the community to ensure them. The Chief Guest for the event was the District Magistrate, who lauded BGVS for their work.
The event then proceeded with group discussions about Bal cabinets and child rights in schools. Students were divided into groups and given activities around the themes of 'My Ideal School' and 'Role of a Bal Cabinet'. They were also given related reading materials which included a Bal Cabinet booklet and a pamphlet.
There was a separate discussion with teachers and community members to discuss and resolve the issues of rising drop-out rates in schools and the lack of infrastructure, which are the most pressing concerns they face.
Towards the end of the day’s activities, students were invited to participate in Amnesty International’s global Write for Rights campaign. The event concluded with students presenting their plans from the group discussion sessions, and raising issues of concern that were pertinent to them.
Amnesty International India’s Human Rights Education programme is collaborating with BGVS to bring the values and principles of human rights – dignity, respect, inclusion and participation – into daily school life through the institution of robust bal cabinets or children’s parliaments. The ‘Bal Mela’, organised by BGVS is a vibrant example of a whole-school approach to human rights education, where all members of the school community – students, teachers and the community – come together to ensure a rights-respecting environment for all.
Leads the Human Rights for Education team in developing the Human Rights Education Programme with schools communities, resource networks and the wider public | BA in Architecture before joining the development sector | MA in Gender and a management degree | Previously worked as Senior Policy Advisor Global Climate and Energy Team for WWF | Lead author of Building an Equitable Green Economy, commissioned as a contribution to the Rio+20 Environment and Development Conference | Previously worked for various development bi-lateral and multi-lateral organisations - researching, assessing, evaluating and training | Enjoys playing tennis, singing/music and doing intricate jigsaw puzzles
Supports schools to integrate human rights education into school life | MA Sociology, MA Elementary Education (currently pursuing) | Previously a teacher-educator for government school teachers across Karnataka covering areas of social studies, teacher professional development and integrating technology into education | Also worked with youth groups on urban governance, youth participation and climate change | Passionate about travel and food
Works on all communication and media-related aspects of the Human Rights for Education programme | BA in Economics and Commerce & PG Diploma in Social Communications Media| Previously worked in advertising and communications, and as a copywriter with Ambience Publicis Advertising | Volunteered as junior communications officer with Pax Christi International in Brussels & worked with CRY - Child Rights and You | Loves music and food (in no particular order)
Somya is programme officer with Amnesty International India. She holds a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Delhi. Her previous work experience with several National and International organizations has strengthened her belief that children can be change makers if they are empowered. She directly works with students, teachers, schools and NGO partners across the country as part of the HRE programme. She comes to work so that she can go back to school and watch children become change makers.
Coordinates internal communication, documentation, and monitoring and evaluation of HRE’s work in schools | Also conducts training for Telecalling and Face to face teams in Bangalore and Chennai | BA in Journalism from Delhi University | MA in Social Work | Previously worked for a skill development organization | Experience in working with children in juvenile homes/ youth in observation homes | Theatre enthusiast, trekker and music lover.
