International Human Rights Day, 2012

An Inter collegiate debate competition for student teachers of Ernakulam district was conducted at St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam, in connection with International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2012 (Monday). It was organized by Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Foundation for Educational Research and Development (SPFERD) and St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam in collaboration with the Council for Teacher Education (CTE), Kerala State Centre, Dr. T. R. Sivapalan Unnithan Foundation, Indian Adult Education Association(IAEA), Kerala Chapter and International Association of Educators for World Peace(IAEWP), Kerala Chapter.

Snaps of the programme

Report of the Inter-Collegiate Debate Competition on Human Rights held On 10^th December 2012

Human rights are commonly understood as "inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal  and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national and international law. The doctrine of human rights in international practice, within international law, global and regional institutions, in the policies of states and in the activities of non-governmental organizations, has been a cornerstone of public policy around the world.

In accordance with the International Human Rights Day being celebrated on the 10^th of December 2012,  ‘ MANAV AVAKASH’,  an Intercollegiate Debate Competition was jointly organized by the Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Foundation for Educational Research an Development (SPFERD) and St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women in collaboration with the Council for Teacher Education (CTE), Kerala State Centre, International Association of Education for World Peace (IAEWP). Kerala Chapter and Indian Adult Education Association (IAEA), Kerala Chapter.

INAUGURAL SESSION

The introductory session was blessed with the presence of certain luminaries of the society. The programme commenced with rendition to Almighty at 9 45 AM. The Welcome address was given by Rev Sr. Dr. Mary Joseph, Principal, St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women. The President of the ceremony was Mr. A Prabhakaran, the chairman of SPFERD. He gave a wide description about the working field of the association and the importance of honoring Human rights. He also briefly described about the violations happening in the society.

Justice K Narayana Kurup, author of several landmark public interest judgements which has been universally hailed, including the classic and path breaking verdict banning smoking in public places and the recipient of many honours and awards, was the Chief Guest of the day and inaugurated the function.  A brief presentation on his life and achievements was given.  He expressed his anxieties by mentioning how the right to use water, air, environment and basic utilities were being violated today. He focused mainly on implementing the laws to protect human rights in public places and shared his career experiences too. He was honoured by the SPFERD for his achievements.

On this occasion, Sr. Grace Maria, an M.Ed student of St.Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women was honoured by the college in recognition of her being selected as  one of the 5 best teachers by the UN for her work among the tribal students in Wayanad. She retained the hardships and troubles while searching alternatives to uplift the backwards.

St Joseph College  Manager Rev . Sr. Dr Tessy Kurian delivered the keynote address. . She shared her experience as a hostel warden and urged the student teachers to react against the violation of their rights. As a representative of the Parents Teachers Association, Mr. KG Mathai spoke a few effective words about the human rights violations happening in everyday life.  The Vote of Thanks was conveyed by Ms Bindu Joseph, Assistant Prof, St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women. The Morning session was dispersed for the debate competition at 11.10AM.

DEBATE COMPETITION

The debate competition started at 11.30 AM with the Prominent Personalities as jury members.

Prof. Leelama Jose, Retd . Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science Maharaja’s College Ernakulam is a social activist and a regular columnist is publications like the ‘Deepika’,’Sathyadeepam etc. She is an active member of the Chavara Cultural Centre too.

Adv. Anil Kumar K. N  Pillai is currently practicing as an advocate at  the High Court of Kerala.  He has worked as a resource person in the Ministry of Education in Sultanate Of Oman. He has also worked as a Resource Person under UNESCO project in North East Africa.  In addition to these activities he is  conducting  legal awareness classes for Professional and Arts and Science Colleges in Kerala.

Adv.JithinPaul Varghese, a practicing advocate in Kochi  was awarded with the prestigious V.R Krishnaiyer gold medal for excellence in constitutional law. He headed the Right to Information campaign launched by the Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR) and also associates with ADR Center, which is an initiative of CPPR. He has represented India in Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition held at Florida, USA in Nov 2008.

The Following Eleven Colleges participated in the debate competition:

1.      Indira Gandhi Training College , Nellikuzhi

2.      Avila College of Education, Edacochin

3.      St.Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam

4.      MES Training College , Edathala

5.      St. Peters Training  College ,Kolenchery

6.      PIZ Training College, Puthencruz

7.      SNM training college ,  Moothakunnam

8.      National  College of Education, Vengola

9.      Holy Crescent College of Education, South Vazhakkulam

10.  UCTE, Muvattupuzha

11.  S.N Training College ,Okkal

TOPIC 

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT BY PARENTS AND TEACHERS –

IS IT A VIOLATION OF THE CHILD’S HUMAN RIGHTS?

The competition started at 11.30 AM. For each team 10 minutes were given for their preparation and again 10 minutes for the presentation of the debate.

Evaluation by the judges

After the completion of the arguments presented by 11 team members, judges gave a feed back on the competition .Prof Leelamma Jose commented that the language used by the participants was not up to the expected mark. The thoughts were presented in a vague way. And also the participants were deviated from the roles assigned to them.

Advocate Anilkumar suggested to cover arguments as many as possible within the stipulated time then going to the depth of a single argument .Adv Jithin Paul Varghese concluded by advising the participants to remember the milestone years of the past and make them up to date with the currents events.

Prof Leelamma Jose declared the results of the competition. The Jury congratulated the winners and the session dispersed for lunch break at 2.30 PM. It was the pleasure of the college to be with the esteemed presence of these personalities.

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

            The Valedictory function of “Manav Avakash” began at 3.00 pm in the college auditorium. Rev.Sr.Dr.Rosamma Lukose, Vice Principal , St.Joseph’s college of Teacher Education for Women, welcomed the gathering. In the presidential address, Rev  Sr.Dr.Mary Joseph, Principal,  St.Joseph’s College of Teacher Education for Women, expressed her feelings of jubilation over the success of the event and appreciated the strenuous endeavor of the Co-cordinator and the entire staff. She also congratulated the winners. Dr.VM Sasikumar, State Chancellor, IAEWP & Executive director, SPFERD , gave a brief description about Dr.TR Sivapalan Unnithan, Dr.K.Sivadasan Pillai and Dr.N.D Joshy. He also congratulated the winners. Sr.Dr.Rosamma Lukose, Sr.Dr.Mary Joseph  and Dr.VM Sivakumar presented the participation certificates to the participants from 11 teacher education colleges in Ernakulam district. Dr. VM Sivakumar and Sr.Dr. Mary Joseph presented Dr.Sivapalan Unnithan Rolling Trophy for the runner up, St.Joseph’s College of Teacher Education for Women represented by Jishamol PK and Tanya john  and for the Winner S.N Training College, Okkal which was represented by Rincy Rose Michael and Silpa Sreenivasan . Dr.K.Sivadasan Pillai and Dr.N.D Joshy Memorial Trophy for the best male debator was presented by Dr.VM Sasikumar to Mr. Shahul Hameed CM from Indira Gandhi College , Nellikuzhi. Ms.  Silpa Sreenivasan, S.N Training college Okkal, was selected as the best debator. Dr . Hemaletha PK, Assistant Professor of St.Joseph Teacher Education for women and the Co-ordinator of the Programme, proposed the vote of thanks. She  extended her gratitude to all who have contributed with their constructive suggestions to make the function a great success. The programmme came to an end at 3.45 pm with the National Anthem.