Two day workshop on data analysis

A two day workshop on data analysis was organised by the Department of Social Work for the students of 2^nd year MSW on the 7^th and 8^th of December, 2019 (Saturday and Sunday). The workshop took place in room number 107 of the PG block and was handled by Dr. S. Rama Gokula Krishnan (resource person), faculty, Department of Social Work. Students were taught about the practical application of various statistical tests such as chi square, ANOVA, and regression to name a few. They were also taught how to enter and analyse data using data analysis software.  

International Conference-2019

The Department of Social Work, St Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru in association with School of Social Work, University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), USA, organised a two-day international conference on the theme- Paradigm shift in a changing world order: health and rights on 10^th and 11^th December, 2019. Eminent speakers from social work and allied fields such as counselling, public health, medical science were present to share their ideas on the changing trends in health and rights. Dr. Arthur Frankel from UNCW during the inaugural ceremony opined that American social workers were mainly focusing on mental health and well-being and had done so for decades, whereas Indian social workers were focused on community development. Despite these differences in areas of focus, he said that social workers from both nations had more commonalities than differences in terms of issues faced such as poverty. Dr. Gifty Immanuel, a public health activist, elaborated on the public health challenges citizens around the world face due to the spread of various types of viruses. Dr. Harini Christopher examined the mental health act of 1987 and 2017 to understand the state’s stand mental health rights of citizens of the country. Dr. Augustine Lourdu, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, St Joseph’s College, presented his research work on social and cultural exclusion faced by HIV positive patients which he termed as triple exclusion. During the second half of first day, there were two panels of paper presentations where social work students and practitioners from various colleges and institutions participated. 

On the second day of the conference, Ms. Jacquline David, a senior counsellor from TTK hospital explained the current mental health infrastructure in India and its possibilities for development and wider access. In the panel discussion that followed, Dr. Satya Pal from Andhra University elaborated on health rights of Indigenous communities with focus on the handicaps of current public distribution system in the country. Dr. Benson Isaac, a professor at Azim Premji University, explained the concept of health workers in the country and extended the term to include every worker who works to ensure quality of life to citizens. Prof. YJ Rajendra, a senior faculty of Dept. of Social work, St Joseph’s College, presented his findings on medical mafia, the increasing levels of monetisation of medical health infrastructure in the country. Paper presentations and Poster presentations from students followed in the second half of the second day.  The two-day conference concluded with the valedictory ceremony and cultural events.

AMEDKAR MEMORIAL LECTURE 2019

The Ambedkar Memorial Lecture was held on 4^th December 2019 from 3:30pm at Xavier Hall. The program began on time with a prayer song by social work students. After which students of 1^st MSW performed a skit depicting Dr B R Ambedkar which highlighted the discrimination he had suffered and revolution he made, which set the tone for the evening. The PG Coordinator, Dr Alan Godfrey delivered the welcome address highlighting on the importance of Dr B R Ambedkar and the Constitution. The chief guest and speaker, Sr. Adv. Mr. Arvind Narrain was then introduced by a 1st BSW student.  Mr. Arvind Narrain who is an expert on LGBT rights spoke about the radical constitutionalism which he divided into two components. The transformative constitution and the idea of constitutional morality and fraternity. He discussed that constitutional transformation happens from personal experience and other capabilities. He spoke about the caste system in India and some of the provisions introduced in the constitution that prohibits the unwanted practices in society which created a break in the history of India. He also spoke regarding constitutional morality where he quoted that democracy in India is on soil which is undemocratic and there are no deep routes of it. He then highlighted on protecting the rights of minorities giving the example of LGBT and Sabarimala case. He concluded his speech by discussing the value of fraternity which brings society together and emphasised on taking Ambedkar’s research forward and reading his works. Following his talk, time was given for a quick interaction between the students and speaker, after which Dr Fr Augustine was called to speak a few words on the topic. Finally, Prof. Y J Rajendra gave the concluding remarks. The program then came to an end with the vote of thanks and refreshments.                            

Orientation on Unionising the Unorganised sector workers – Possible fieldwork interventions

A two-day orientation programme titled ‘Unionising the Unorganised sector workers – Possible fieldwork interventions’, was organsied by the Department of Social Work for students of second year BSW and first year MSW students of the Department of Social Work. (21^st – 22^nd November, 2019). The students were oriented on the problems faced by the workers in the unorganised sector. The department invited several experts and trade union leaders to provide their input based on their field experience. The Speakers included: Mr. Clifton Rosario, Advocate and CPI (ML), AICCTU, Mr. Vijayabhaskar, AITUC Gen Secretary (oldest union & affiliated to World Trade Union, Mr. R Manohar, Human rights activist, CARE, Ms. Parijatha, union activist and Domestic Workers Union Leaders, Ms. Varalakshmi, President, Karnataka CITU, Mr. Shujathulla, Research Assistant, Indian Social Institute and Khalimullha Swaraj Abhiyan, Fr. Martin, Coordinator, Labour unit, Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru,  Mr. Ishwar Gowda, Patil, Union Activist, construction workers union, APSA, and Ms. Rini Martin, Skill Development Corporation, GOK. The students were sensitised on the ground realities with regard to unorganised workers and possible strategies to deal with prominent issues were also chalked out through discussion. The feedback from the students on the usefulness of the programme was positive. 

Workshop on the Plight of Street Children by Rainbow Homes

A one-day workshop was organised by the Department of Social Work in collaboration with Rainbow Homes that works with street children. They are working in nine cities in partnership with the government and have comprehensive care homes for children inside government school buildings. The aim of the workshop was to help the students of second year MSW to gain an in-depth understanding of the plight of street children in India and to provide them with an insight on how street children can be helped. The workshop began at 9:30 AM with a group activity. This was followed by an open discussion on the problems faced by children on the streets. The students opened up and shared what they had observed in their daily lives with respect to street children. The representatives from Rainbow Homes, Ms. Preeti Mathew and Ms. Subhada, based on their experience highlighted the problems faced by street children who are homeless such as hunger, lack of shelter, vulnerability to physical and sexual abuse, lack of access to medical support, to name a few. Post lunch, students were given an opportunity to examine the available data on street children in some of the major cities in India. The workshop concluded at 4:15 PM with a quiz on street children in India. On the whole, the workshop proved to be a useful and insightful one for the students. 

MoU signed with Planet Hope Foundation, Rotterdam, Netherlands

On the 15^thof October, 2019, there was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Planet Hope Foundation, Rotterdam, Netherlands and the Department of Social Work, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, India. Thirteen delegates from Netherlands, the Registrar of the college, Dr.Melwin Colaco, and the faculty members of the Department of Social Work met at3: 00 PM in the Auditorium Block of the college. The main objective of the gathering was the singing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties. Specifically, the MoU was being signed to express the willingness of both the parties in promoting collaborations in the spirit of institutional friendships and cultural, educational and scientific cooperation. The Head of the Department, Lt. Akshay D Mandlik, made the opening remarks and encouraged everyone to introduce themselves which was obliged. This was followed by a brief overview and description of the history of the college and the Department by Prof. D. Kiran Jeevan, PRO of the college and Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work. This was followed by a discussion between both parties about how to promote secularism among the students in Netherlands. The delegates wanted to know how it was done in India and in the college in particular. The members of the Department explained about the various programmes being organsied by the college to promote inter-religious harmony including the HRD classes. The delegates stated their desire to adopt many such efforts of the college and apply them in the Netherlands as well.  The discussion ended with an explanation of the purpose of the MoU by Dr. Alan Godfrey, Assistant Professor and PG Coordinator, Department of Social Work, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru. He stated that there were three major areas of collaboration proposed as part of the MoU, they were- faculty exchange, academic, and research collaboration between both parties. This was followed by the singing of the MoU by representatives of both parties followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Godfrey and a group photograph which brought the meeting to a fruitful conclusion.

Orientation - Smileys India

An orientation on the organisation- “Smileys India” was organised by Department of Social Work, St. Joseph College (Autonomous), Bengaluru for the 1^st year MSW students. The session began at 2 PM, on 27^th September, 2019. Dr. Godfrey, the PG co-coordinator introduced the resource person. The session was conducted by Ms. Vidushi from Simileys India.  Smileys India was started in the year 2011 by Mr.Vishnu Soman. The goal of Smileys is to bringing people's passion in action to help others and make a positive world through volunteering. 

The aim is to take art, culture, sports, and technology to the lesser privileged sections of society and help them explore and understand their passion. Smileys India believe that everyone in society needs help in exploring their passion; and try to match their passion with the tasks they perform in the organisation. The programmes are recycling and waste management workshop, making photography, distribution of toys to kids of the underprivileged in slums; and also in government schools, sign language movement for knowing deaf neighbour, street art movement, dance festival etc. The orientation session ended at 3 PM.