Bengaluru: Today’s Children are today’s Citizen and they have rights, and we the State & the Civil Society as the duty bearers have the moral obligation to ensure that they enjoy these rights, said Fr. Peter Brank, Director, KROSS in his address during the inaugural session of the State Level Consultative Meet on Anti Child Trafficking jointly organised by Karnataka State Commission for Child Rights Protection (KSCCRP), Government of Karnataka and Karnataka Regional Organization for Social Service (KROSS) on 12th March, 2015.

Mr. G. M. Varghese made a brief introduction of the day’s proceedings. Fr. Sebastian Fernandes, Asst. Director, KROSS welcomed the dignitaries, Government Officials, the Resource Persons, the participants representing various NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who had come from all over the state of Karnataka.

Fr. Edward Thomas, Member, KSCCRP in his inaugural address said that God has created the world for all humans to avail their rights and enjoy their rights too, but emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Government, NGOs, CSOs and the citizens to work hand in hand and ensure that really happens. Government pumps in a large amount of money for this and we have to keep a watch to see that it reaches the children so that both their lives and rights are protected and promoted.

The day’s proceedings were facilitated by members of the Freedom Project, Bangalore.

The group came up with various recommendations to the Commission & the State Government to ensure a conducive environment for the protection and promotion of Child Rights.

The programme ended at 4.30 p.m. with a vote of thanks by Fr. Marcel Pinto.