Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Tomorrow’s Leaders - AP State Children's Forum



AGS – post Tsunami situations – CCLCAP Project inception


After Tsunami, the Combating Child Labour in Coastal Andhra Pradesh - CCLCAP project took an inception as a proactive measure to reduce the impacts of calamities on children in the pell-mell of relief operations of Tsunami.  The Project is being implemented by NGOs of coastal Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of Academy of Gandhian Studies – AGS supported by Plan International (India).  

The major objective of CCLCAP project is to prevent and eradicate the problem of child labour by providing appropriate socio economic safety net to the children and their families

Children’s started their journey from Village, Mandal, District to State level…

As a part of Community Institutional set up, the formation of children groups made in all the 217 operational villages.  To develop the linkage between Village level institutions and State, the Mandal level children groups have emerged with the active children from the village level groups and it lead to the district forums, as a result, 11 District children forums formed a state level Children’s forum named “Andhra Pradesh Raashtra Baalala Vedika” to address the child labour issues collectively.


Andhra Pradesh Raashtra Baalala Vedika – A State level forum for children– Its Inception


In the context of protecting Child Rights, to address the issue of child labour effectively in the State of Andhra Pradesh; Village, Mandal and District level child federations have formed with the children across the Plan India implementing areas with its supported Projects like Child Trafficking & HIV AIDS Prevention in Andhra Pradesh - Combating Child Labour in Coastal Andhra Pradesh - CCLCAP in 8 districts of Coastal Belt with the collaboration of other Plan supported projects.

The child representatives from District level forums formed a State level forum named “Andhra Pradesh Raashtra Baalala Vedika”  - A State level forum for Children in order to address their issues especially Prevention of Child Labour and to fight against violation of their rights.

So far… the Children’s forum takes part in several campaigns to hear their voice at National level

§        A state and National level campaign conducted in order that to raise the child issues of Right to Education and Eradication of Child labour along with the National Commission for Protection Child rights.

§        State level campaign conducted successfully on Election manifesto, the children have pressurized the political parties to incorporate their issues in their party’s agenda, they have taken written consent from them and made a collective campaigns all over the state

AGS Network - A Paradigm shift for Positive Change with Collective Efforts


NetworkingA paradigm shift for positive change
(Connecting individuals, groups, NGO collectives for common goal and addressing social issues facilitate handling scale.)

 

Introduction


Non-Governmental Organizations - NGOs have long played an important role in forcing policymakers to act on issues of public concern through collective advocacy efforts.  Their activities have grown steadily and today they address every conceivable issue and operate in virtually every part of the area.  Coalition building is a process that accommodates the group of NGOs desirous of coming together to respond to a common cause with collective approach.  It is always desirable to seek change through collective strength or to resist adverse impacts on an individual or group.  Such Process results in creation of a Network - whether for a specific issue or for expanded bargaining power in accessing rights to knowledge, skills and other resources.  In some cases, building of Coalitions is to effectively address a specific issue where, the solution requires a long-term relationship to ward off further constraints.

As NGOs have long interacted with Governments, Intergovernmental institutions, International Donors and the corporate sector on public policy issues, the analysis of the role of this diverse group of actors provides us with a useful angle to understand the transformations that are taking place in the way multilateral cooperation is conducted, as well as the implications for transactional problem-solving in general.

The proven advantages of working with Networks are…


  • Networks are flexible in adapting uniform methodology, uniform process in project implementation to local situations and responding to local needs and therefore able to develop integrated projects, as well as sectoral projects.
  • Networks have the ability to experiment freely with innovative approaches and, if necessary, to take risks.
  • It is able to cover huge area of operation and can implement same ideological programme at different places at the same time.
  • Networks can communicate at all levels amongst the partner NGOs reach the unreached areas
  • Networks enjoy good rapport with people and can render micro-assistance to very poor people as they can identify those who are most in need and tailor assistance to their needs.
  • Networks have the ability to communicate at all levels, from the neighborhood to the top levels of Government.
  • Networks are able to recruit both experts and highly motivated staff with fewer restrictions than the Government.
  • Networks better utilize the human resources and maintains good administrative mechanisms.
  • Networks are committing to Accountability and Transparency in all ways.
  • The collective response from Coalition pressurized Policy makers in implementing programmes with best quality services, to issue of Government orders – G.O’s on issues like Right to Education - RTE, Anti-Human Trafficking, Ban on Corporal Punishments etc.,
  • Democratic approach is seen among the Coalition partners during the decision-making.
  • The Coalition approach among the people's organizations gains from the elements of social mobilization, activated as part of the grass root development strategy. 
  • Networks are keen in ensure to enhance the capacities of Team, Partner NGOs and targeted Stakeholders.
  • A tangible outcome is possible in terms of construction of school buildings, additional rooms for schools, concrete livelihoods for Poor, vehicles, construction of Toilets is resulted through convergence efforts made by active Coalitions in many places of Andhra Pradesh.

This is a fairly strong and stable base for coalition building, supportive of advocacy work at the level of the village, block, district or State, forcing a change in many socially undesirable practices and in building pressure for a responsive local self-government viz., prevention of child trafficking, prevention and eradication of Child labour right to education, stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, disaster preparedness and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, poverty alleviation, right land and work and some of the impacts of MFRA, CRZ, SEZs, Coastal Corridor issues and to protect the rights of deprived community.

Limitations / Areas of Improvement among Networks

·         Paternalistic attitudes restrict the degree of participation in programme /project design.
·         Restricted/constrained ways of approach to a problem or area.
·         Reduced replicability of an idea, due to non-representativeness of the project or selected area, relatively small project coverage, dependence on outside financial resources, etc.
·         "Territorial possessiveness" of an area or project reduces cooperation between agencies (NGOs around), seen as threatening or competitive.
The Model Network in AP: AGS

A diversity of Networks has emerged in Andhra Pradesh and in India as well since many years ago based on Issues and Projects to combat collectively as such classical example is AGS. 

Academy of Gandhian Studies (AGS) is a Non Profit Voluntary Organization established in the year 1976 with a philosophy of “awakening of marginalized People.  The key areas of intervention during the last three decades include peace initiatives, programmes for gender equity in six states, environmental awareness campaigns and Networking at district levels in three states, Youth for development. 

During its developmental journey in reaching the unreached, it has formed a Network in the year 1998 by all means of safeguarding Rights of Children and Human.  The Network formerly called as AGS Coalition, providing leadership to 28 Partner NGOs in four States i.e., Tamilnadu, Maharastra, Orissa, including Andhra Pradesh working against the alarming issues in these areas.  AGS is a platform of knowledge base partners, does have a reservoir of qualified, Committed staff and volunteers with multiple experiences in child rights protection; child/woman rights, Advocacy and Community Mobilization, Educational programs and Programme Management.  It is a hub of working community with varied experiences. 

 In recent past AGS has more focused on HIV/AIDS, Trafficking in women and children, Prevention of Child Labour, Disaster management, raising collective voice against modern emerging issues like SEZ’s and Coastal Corridors. 

Conclusion

Coalition approach is proved as a successive model in implementing any such community based projects with its entire diversified efficacy; it will be a more efficient body to advance the goal of improving disadvantaged sections. The collective strength of a large Network will definitely be in a better position to do Advocacy at different levels, identify the needs, and evolve better strategies to improve the situation of the people. With a common agenda, the network can negotiate better with the government, donor organizations and other stakeholders.

There are benefits in the current system where the State level Networks are bound by a common core agenda and an equal role to give for all of its partners in the Network.   There is larger scope for knowledge sharing, exchange of experiences, and replication of good practices in the Network approach for effective immediate results when compare to any other individual community based organisations. Yet, there is need for more robust support to the level of Network to operate smoothly, specially the fledgling ones so that they are able to firmly plant their feet on the ground using the strength and experience of the existing Networks to grow.



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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Contact AGS

Contact Person:Mr.G.Gopala Krishna Murhty (Gopi)

Postal Address:Academy of Gandhian Studies - AGS
(Centre for training, research and social action)
18-3-60, K.T. Bye Pass Road,
Tirupati - 517501
Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tel: +91 877 3290429 (Land Line)
Moblie : +91 98494 91225
Email : ags76@rediffmail.com
Blog: http://academyofgandhianstudies.blogspot.com / http://agscoalitionindia.blogspot.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

An Introduction to AGS Coalition, its Efforts

Academy of Gandhian studies (AGS) is a facilitating NGO located in Tirupati (Temple Town) in Andhra Pradesh, one of the fast developing southern state of India.  Its been operating for the past thirty-three years, committed to end injustice, inequality and poverty through Gandhian Principle of ‘Satya, Ahimsa and Dharma’.    

Academy of Gandhian Studies (AGS) currently provides the needed leadership to its Coalition of NGOs at the country level on different issues in a democratic environment.  Partner NGOS are specialized in implementing all the Community based development activities, which are sustaining their efforts with community ownership.   It has focused strengthening of Civil Societies through formation of Committees; capacity building, sensitizing on Advocacy and lobbying that gave immense results for their own benefits.

The key interventions that AGS Coalition has facilitated & implemented successfully with collective efforts are...

Our Efforts

Projects implemented
î         Peace Initiatives
î         Programmes for Gender equity
î         Environmental Awareness Campaigns
î         Restoration of Livelihood opportunities for the vulnerable communities in Tsunami affected areas of Coast side of AP (RELIVE) 2006-2007
î         Natural Resource Management of Costal Resource in Nine Coastal Districts of AP (NRMCAP) 2006
î         Prevention of Child Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh (CTHAPAP) – 2004 -2009
î         Combating Child Labour in Coastal Districts of Andhra Pradesh (CCLCAP) - 2006 – 2009
î         Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) - 2010

Research Studies done

î         A study on Status on Environment in Andhra Pradesh in 1990.
î         A Study on Occupational Migration among fisher folk vis-à-vis status of women and children in coastal district in the year 1999.
î         A study on Bonded Labour in India in 1981.
î         A study on commercial sex workers and their children in coastal Andhra Pradesh in 2002.
î         Adolescent consultations and a study on Action Research on Child Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh in 2004.
î         Study of Child trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the prevalence and level of awareness in 2004.
î         Developed monitoring tools for Caritas India, Hyderabad – 2007.
î         Evaluation of HIV Initiatives supported by APSACS, Hyderabad – 2007.
î         Conducted an Evaluation of Child Centered Drought Preparedness Programme in Jaipur supported by Save the Children (UK) – 2007.
î         Conducted a National study on People’s autumn / Return of Autumn - Three Decades of AFPRO- SDC Partnership supported by AFPRO, Delhi – 2007.
î         Conducted and prepared a report on a National Study on “Sex Tourism in India” in the State of Andhra Pradesh supported by Govt. of India through Gram Niyojan Kendra, Gaziabad - 2008.
î         Assessment of Riverbed Lands (River Krishna) supported by ASM-Plan (Krishna), Vijayawada - 2008.
î         Conducted Primary Data Collection in the State of Andhra Pradesh & Kerala for the study on Status of Child Protection in India supported by Child Line India Foundation, Mumbai – 2009.
î         Conducted Situational Analysis of Children in Tirupati, Vellore & Tiruvannamalai supported by Child Line India Foundation for possible implementation of Child Line in these respective areas, Mumbai – 2009.