The first two days comprised of the workshop entitled ‘Empowering CCI Staff and Children: Participatory Best Care Practices for Creating a Child-Friendly Environment of Safety & Support,’ and the third day, a Thematic Consultation ‘Enhancing Awareness, Prevention, and Solutions to Child Trafficking Through ICT and Social Media’ was addressed.

The participants were direct service providers, Directors, & Counselors of NGO child-care institutions from two Kerala districts. The Workshop, and the opening Thematic Consultation session were presided over by eminent social workers Shri. Pravin Patkar and Smt. Priti Patkar, the pioneers of ‘Prerana’, an NGO globally recognized for its path-breaking initiatives and social interventions in child protection and anti-human trafficking. The workshops covered many highly relevant topics related to the proper management of Child Care Institutions.

On day three, a thematic consultation on “Enhancing Awareness, Prevention, and Solutions to Child Trafficking Through ICT and Social Media” convened to raise awareness and knowledge of the many ways children are exploited through Information and Communication Technology (via mobile devices and social media platforms.) The team from Amrita CREATE demonstrated their interactive app, “Smart Decisions” geared for children and youth to raise awareness on trafficking. The app is designed to better equip today’s youth with the tools they need to protect themselves from potential predators. The three-day workshop concluded with a session titled “Evolution and Significance of Child Protection (Special reference to child trafficking)” led by Shri. Subair K.K. from the Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala.

Overall, this highly interactive and lively event brought together stakeholders around the important dialogue of child protection and social justice while also raising the awareness, knowledge, and skills of many participants.