LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA• 29
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Organizational Values
Life skills help children learn about democratic
co-existence, making safe and healthy choices and
having a positive lifestyle. The organization that
implements a Life Skills Education Program must
mirror these values, and should espouse the
following principles:
- Participatory decision making;
- Sharing and listening;
- Respect for staff;
- Rights of children;
- Maintaining confidentiality;
- Building capacities of its staff;
- Transparent communication;
- Fair and just management of conflict;
- Developing positive links in the
community; and - Keeping safety of children as an overriding
principle.
Experience from the field
The life skills facilitator approaches children
very differently. Facilitators from other
programs have a different understanding of
children and the approach conflicts with what
we do in the Life Skills Education Program.
Others need training too. (Facilitator, CHES
Chennai )
I sensitized everyone – from top to bottom.
The changes from the life skills sessions are
huge and affect our whole CAA program. It is
not just one part in the program. (Facilitator,
PCI Delhi)CONFIDENTIALITY
One of the ground rules that must be established
relate to confidentiality. Training sessions are set up
to be supportive. Children will discuss personal
matters, and their right to decide about disclosure
must be respected. This information is not to be
shared or talked about outside the training center.ETHICAL GUIDELINES^15
All children’s programs should promote the rights
and interests of children and young people and
restore or maintain their dignity. The best interests of
the child should always be put first. Selection of child
representation should be based on the principle of
democracy and non-discrimination. Key
considerations that must be recognized when
planning work with children and adolescents are:
Children’s Participation: One of the basic
principles of the UN convention on the Rights of
the Child promotes the “Right to
Participate”.Children must have the opportunity to
express their views on activities that affect their
welfare, and these views should be respected.
Children’s rights to decide for themselves should be
respected at all times, and efforts must be taken to
ensure that the children understand the purpose
and implications of their participation and know
that they can refuse to participate. Participation
should be relevant and voluntary while sufficient
time and resources should be made available for
quality participation. Children’s rights to
confidentiality and freedom from discrimination
should not be compromised by their participation.
Children must understand and accept that
confidentiality will be maintained when
they participate.(^15) Children Living in A world with AIDS, CAINN (Children and AIDS International NGO Network)/UNAIDS, 1998