Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 8: The inauguration of Social Change Agents' Forum was held at Shanthi Sandesha Resource and Development Centre on child rights at Bolar, Mangaluru hosted by the Ursuline Franciscan Education Society. The programme was attended by as many as 96 students from seven schools of UFES along with their facilitators.
The programme was inaugurated by Sr Lydia Serrao, general coordinator of Social Development and Health Apostolate. In her inaugural address, she invited the students to be persistent in bringing about a change in the society. By quoting the examples of some young change makers, the adolescents were called upon to unleash the power and potentials that are within them.
Sr Kala Nicolas, coordinator social development and health apostolate of Mangalore province appreciated the efforts of AEP coordinator and the facilitators in motivating students to be the members of Social Change Agents Forum (SCAF). Sr Clara Menezes, the provincial superior of Mangalore province, in her presidential address highlighted that everyone is a change maker who significantly influences the lives of others.
Harish Jogi, project coordinator, Government of Karnataka, - UNICEF DCPP, Koppal, Ragvendra Bhat, regional coordinator, Government of Karnataka, UNICEF child protection programme Koppal, conducted group dynamics through which the children were made aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Sr Dulcine Crasta, convener of Adolescent Empowerment Programme (AEP) explaining the guidelines of Social Change Agents’ Forum (SCAF), accentuated that aim of SCAF is to involve the empowered adolescents in activities that bring social change by improving the lives of individuals in the community and alleviate social evils from the society. Chandrahasa Balanja, zone trainer and programme coordinator at Swayam Prabha production and entertainment Mangaluru, inspired students to be effective leaders by inculcating values in life.
Adolescent empowerment programme is the initiative of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation which was started in the year 2022 in all the schools managed by Ursuline Franciscan Education Society. The goal of this programme is ‘Adolescents for social change’. The programme was implemented by conducting facilitation trainings to the teachers of all the schools in five provinces of the Congregation.
The trained staff were motivated to focus on child centric approach and conduct the sensitization, life skills, social change agents and vocation and livelihood sessions for the students from class 6 to 10. The parents of the children are capacitated to develop positive parenting skills through adolescent support groups. Having completed three years, this year, the Congregation formed Social Change Agents’ Forum at the school as well as province level to organise adolescents as potential young change makers and create ripple effect.
Children shared their experiences of being part of Adolescent Empowerment programme and the changes that have taken place in their personal and societal life. Sr Dimple D’Souza, coordinator of AEP, facilitated the students to make a concrete action plan for the transformation of the society. One each student from every school volunteered to be the representative of the province SCAF committee.
The dignitaries of the programme were welcomed by Sr Lilly Pushpa, AEP coordinator of Mangalore province. The students of Navachethan English medium school invoked divine presence through a prayer song.
The students of Anand Ashram School, Bhatkal sang the SCAF theme song by holding the lamps in their hand. The concluding message was delivered by Sr Juliana Pais, deputy secretary of UFES, Mangalore Province.
Monthi Pais, AEP facilitator of Lourdes High School, Bejai compered the programme. Sr Shellin Rodrigues from St Therese High School, Belthangady proposed the vote of thanks. Singing of National Anthem gave a meaningful conclusion to the programme.