Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has participated in the conference, “Improving Standards of Care for Alternative Child & Youth Care: Systems, Policies and Practices” held in New Delhi from 18 to 19 March 2016. At this conference, ARC presented a paper on the need for minimum standards at the Education and Training Centre for Children (ETCC) in K. Maafushi and also made a joint presentation on the same topic, with the Juvenile Justice Unit of the Maldives.
The conference focused on sharing experiences, best practices and research on improving standards of care for children residing in shelters in the South Asian region. It also highlighted the challenges faced in providing after care, following the reintegration of children into society in SAARC countries.
Representatives from governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and the civil society from different countries, working in the field of child protection participated in this conference. ARC was represented by Ms. Jala Zuhury, Programme Coordinator for the Shelter Support Programme and Ms. Fathimath Roona, Director, represented the Juvenile Justice Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The conference was organized by Udayan Care, an NGO established in India in 1994 that works towards sustainable social development and making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and women. This is the second time that ARC has participated in this conference.
