Kolkata: Child in Need Institute CINI is celebrating 25 years of its flagship initiative the Adolescent Resource Centre ARC alongside its own 50 year milestone of empowering children, women and marginalized communities across India.
The programme was graced by esteemed presenters including Dr Indrani Bhattacharyya Chief Executive Officer CINI Smt Tulika Das Chairperson WBCPCR Smt Ananya Chakraborti Chatterjee Advisor WBCPCR Guest of Honour Dr Swapan Soren Director of Health Services Dr Kunal Kanti De ADHS Adolescent Health Government of West Bengal and Special Guest Dr Monzur Hossein Chief of Field Office UNICEF West Bengal who joined to acknowledge ARCs journey and its transformative contribution to adolescent development.
Speaking at the programme Dr Indrani Bhattacharyya said ARC has completed 25 years and today it stands as an important and essential centre. In today’s programme we are mainly reflecting on how much transformation has taken place among adolescents over the last 25 years and discussing our roadmap for the next 25 years. I would like to say that parents must give time to the next generation. Everyone is busy with their own lives, busy with television and mobile phones but it is important to spend as much time as possible with children. They need proper guidance, direction and counselling. During adolescence we must listen to them, stand beside them and support them.
Since its launch in 2000 ARC has emerged as a cornerstone of CINIs mission advancing adolescent health rights and empowerment through comprehensive interventions in SRHR NCDs mental health education nutrition prevention of gender based violence leadership development and community engagement extending its reach to youth and young adults.
With a strong presence across multiple states and collaborations with government departments, donors NGOs and CBOs ARC has played a pivotal role in national programmes such as RKSK Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram and the School Health and Wellness Programme. It has developed impactful IEC and training materials and nurtured adolescent led advocacy platforms that strengthen youth participation and leadership.
The Unveiling of Key Documents included:
• Youthscapes 25 Stories of Change Case Study Booklet of ARC
• Empowering Girls A Decade of Achievement 2011 2021 Impact Report of the SAG KP Convergence Programme
• ARC Visionary Document
As part of the celebration 13 adolescents were felicitated for their remarkable achievements symbolizing the powerful outcomes of sustained adolescent engagement and leadership.
Looking ahead ARC envisions transforming into a Centre of Excellence in knowledge and innovation deepening its role as a technical partner to government influencing national and international policies strengthening research driven programming addressing emerging issues such as climate change and digital literacy and enhancing programme design monitoring and scale up for sustainable evidence based impact benefiting adolescents and youth across India.
