BIS # 1176 DON BOSCO ACTION INDIA HOLDS NATIONAL MEETING


Johnson Parackal sdb GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 8, 2008: “Development from a Human Rights Perspective” was the theme and focus of the 12th National Meeting of Don Bosco Action, India, the Network of the Salesian Development Offices, held at Siloam, Shillong, from November 6 to 8, 2008. Introducing the seminar, Fr. Davis Arickatt, Director of Bosco Reach Out, Guwahati, spoke of the new direction that the Development Offices should take in India from the human rights perspective. Present on the dais for the inaugural ceremony were Fr. Joe Almeida, Provincial of Guwahati, Fr. Francis Alencherry, former General Councillor, Fr. A.M. Jose, National Convener of DBAI, Fr. Thomas Pallithanam, Director PARA Hyderabad and Mr. Khilesh Chaturvedi from ASK, Delhi. Speaking on the occasion Fr. Almeida referred to the Strenna 2008 of the Rector Major and exhorted the participants to accompany the young by upholding their basic human rights.
The first two days of the meeting were dedicated to a workshop on Human Rights. Mr. Khilesh, the facilitator, detailed the modalities of the workshop and the study of human rights issues from a national perspective, through a process of analysis, response and decision-making. On the first day Fr. Francis Alenchery presented a paper on ‘Salesian Commitment to the Promotion of Human Rights’, while on the second day Fr. Pallithanam made a presentation on 'The Human Rights Approach in Development'. The third day of the meeting was devoted to general business regarding the network. After a detailed discussion, two focus areas for future interventions were selected: Implementation of the NREGA and Human Rights Education. Concrete strategies for furthering these areas were planned. The Statutes of the network were also discussed and finalized. On the sidelines of the seminar, a short meeting of those attending the International Congress on Human Rights, in January 2009 at Rome, was also held.

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