Father Joe Prabu, Executive Director of DB YaR Forum, presented priorities for the Imagine YaR Ministry, focusing on Province goals, preventive measures, intervention strategies, and budget integration for quality service delivery. Father Francis Bosco emphasized advocacy efforts to address societal issues such as labour rights, caste-based exploitation, and child marriage, stressing the need for networking with legislation, executive, judiciary, media, and volunteers. Father Santanaraj highlighted financial sustainability principles, considering mission alignment, beneficiary status, staff satisfaction, and socio-political climate. Father George Mathew emphasized formalizing skill sets with structured certification programmes and steady funding for programme-oriented sustainability.
The panel discussion was moderated by Mr Anant Asthana, who introduced the theme, ‘Child Rights and Legislation. Mrs Seema Khandekar stressed the significance of preparing Social Investigation Reports and Individual Care Plans for Children in Need of Care and Protection. Ms Charu Makkar focused on child laws and Childline services, advocating for the reintegration of destitute children. The policy discussion led by Ms Surbhi Sharma focused on the Child Safeguarding Policy, stressing zero tolerance, the child’s best interest, awareness, prevention, reporting, management systems, and child participation.
The orientation concluded successfully, with participants actively engaging in ice-breaking sessions and group activities, providing feedback, and showcasing annual plans from different Provinces with dance performances by children from Snehalaya and Ashalayam. The event culminated with the launch of the YaR website, release of the YaR and Homelink annual reports, and certificate distribution by Chief Guest Father Davis Maniparamben, the Provincial of New Delhi, who also shared inspiring words to motivate and encourage the participants to be the living Don Bosco for the young at risk.
Fr. Joe Prabu SDB
