A collaborative Dialogues Workshop was organised by the Bangalore-based Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), Amnesty International India, Centre for Corporate Governance and Citizenship of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) co-sponsored by EducationWorld on October 7, at the IIM-B campus in suburban Bengaluru. The day-long workshop attracted the participation of over 100 academics, principals of schools, students, members from civil society organisations and officials of the Karnataka state government’s education ministry.

Following publication of the ‘Yuva Nagarik Meter’ (YNM) study conducted in 11 state government capitals in January which exposed an alarmingly low score (21 percent) of school and college-going youth on democratic citizenship, Dr. Manjunath Sadashiva, managing director of CMCA, conceptualised the Dialogues Workshop to understand, analyse and advance policy recommendations to revitalise and transform the abysmal attitudes and values of youth relating to democratic citizenship.

At the end of the full-day workshop, the participants signed a Charter for Democratising of Education Spaces which received overwhelming support and endorsement from all participants.

HELP disaster management course

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) have jointly introduced a HELP (Health Emergencies in Large Populations) study course in India.

The focus of the programme is to equip disaster management professionals with essential skills to respond effectively in disaster situations. The emphasis is on a public health approach, disaster preparedness and response, recovery and humanitarian action when calamities strike. The first HELP programme for disaster relief personnel began in Delhi on October 29 and will run for two weeks. 

“The course contributes to setting high technical and ethical standards in the practice of humanitarian action, and develops collaborations between the academic and humanitarian sectors,” said Mary Werntz, head of the regional delegation of the ICRC, speaking on the occasion.

Khushwant Singh literary festival

Twelve schools participated in competitive general knowledge quiz and art contests sponsored by EducationWorld at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival convened in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh between October 9-11 to celebrate the late writer, author, journalist’s centennial birth anniversary. The teams representing Auckland House, Shimla (Shambvi Rao, Ishani Kanwar and Somya Sharma) and St. Lukes, Solan (Parth Bali, Aditya Aggarwal and Neerav Ganart) were adjudged joint winners of the quiz competition.

In the individual art competition, Keshav Kond (Pinegrove School, Dharampur), Suman Sahoo (Kendriya Vidyalaya, AF Station, Kasauli) and Yeshey Dorji (Durga Public School, Solan) were declared winners. The prizes were awarded by actor-columnist Kabir Bedi.

La Trobe leadership award

The Victoria (Australia)-based La Trobe University announced a new ‘Thought Leadership Award’ for students of ten schools in Delhi NCR.

The award has been conceptualised by La Trobe University to identify students who demonstrate outstanding potential to become thought leaders of the future. This competition requires students to submit an essay showcasing their understanding of the most pressing challenges facing the global community.

Announcing the La Trobe Thought Leadership Award in Delhi on October 29, La Trobe’s vice chancellor Dr. John Dewar said the award has been instituted to encourage Indian students to be prepared for global challenges. “We look forward to further enhance our bonding with India,” he said speaking on the occasion.

The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs.100,000 plus trophy and certificate, and runners-up Rs.75,000 and Rs.50,000.

British Council’s CWIT Awards

The British Council announced the Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Awards 2016-17 on October 6. Mid-career artists, art practitioners and heritage conservationists aspiring for wider experience of art and heritage conservation are invited to apply by November 30.

CWIT offers up to 10 long-term awards annually to provide early to mid-career practitioners the opportunity to study and acquire wider exposure in the arts. The tenure of the awards generally ranges from two-12 months and covers tuitionand living costs in the UK. The fields of study covered under the scholarships include dance, drama, music, film direction and script writing, photography, design, curating and art history, and  heritage conservation.

Indian citizens resident in India, aged 25-38, with a first class degree, diploma or professional qualification in their specialisation with significant work experience are eligible to apply for the CWIT awards.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to Delhi for an interview in late February 2016. Results will be announced in early April.