Experts: A child's right is as important as that of a man

* RGU webinar focuses on means to protect children during crises

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: A three-day online training programme on 'Child Centric Disaster Risk Reduction' (CCDRR) began at the Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) near here from Wednesday. It is organised by the the Education department of the Central varsity in collaboration with the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi.

Highlighting the importance of child-centric disaster risk reduction among the tender-age group, RGU Vice Chancellor Prof. SaketKushwaha said that risk and uncertainty are the two important elements that everyone needs to understand.

"Risk can be managed through time-series data whereas there is uncertainty in managing the welfare of children. The dignity of a child is as significant and equal as that of a man.

"Creating confidence and cultivating positive attitudes among the children for their overall development are highly essential in this pandemic period," he said.

Professor Kushwaha added that managing disaster among the children calls for recognition and treatment of the cognitive and non-cognitive aspects. Extreme care of child is highly essential during this pandemic situation.

The VC appreciated the efforts taken by the Education department and for organizing 16 webinars in the modes of capacity building, faculty development programme, workshops, orientation, symposia and training programmes.

Addressing the participants as a keynote speaker, the Executive Director of Institute of Disaster Management, Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal said that there is a need to sensitize all the stakeholders about child-centric disaster risk reduction.

"Children are totally dependent on their parents and elders. Hence, the parents, elders and guardians must understand the required competencies of the children to deal with various things — physically, socially, culturally and psychologically. Sometimes, they face certain psychological changes and mental trauma during disaster time. During such moments, we have to understand their psychological changes and manage them properly.

"Children are more vulnerable to all kinds of disaster. Thus, they must be treated with proper care, love and ideas must be shared with them emotionally," he pointed out.

The inaugural session was moderated by Assistant Professor (Education department) Sushant Kumar Nayak.

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