INTRODUCTION

International Council on Social Welfare [ICSW] is a worldwide voluntary sector network in the field of social welfare and policy. ICSW established in 1928 in Paris is a global organization with a long history of service in welfare field. It has National Chapters in more than 75 countries. Indian Chapter of ICSW was started in 1947 at Mumbai and was responsible to lay National Welfare Policies in India and to form a separate Central Ministry of Welfare.

ICSW has been functioning in Kerala since 3rd October 1954. Kerala State branch has its office in the campus of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Ernakulam, with District branches in all the 14 districts of Kerala. ICSW marked its presence in Kerala with:-

Networking of NGO’s

Starting chapters in all the districts

Conducting state and national level seminars on topics related to social work Undertaking scrutiny work of child adoption.

Social Work Advancement Program

STATE LEVEL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 2013-15

President	:	Mr. M P Antoni, Ernakulam	
Vice Presidents	:	Dr. Asha P.Rao,Thrissur	
		Dr. Fr. Raju George Thottathil, Malapuram	
		Mr.Fabian Prince,Thiruvandapuram	
		Smt. Rosakutty Abraham	
General Secretary	:	Mr. Jineshlal R.V ,Thrissur	
Associate Secretary	:	Fr. Jisho Alumkkal ,Kottayam	
Treasurer	:	Mr. Jacob Thumbayil, Ernakulam	

Rep. from all District branches Immediate Past President Immediate Past Secretary Rep. from Patron Members Rep. from Life Members Rep. from VO/NGO members

Rep. from Institutional member Representative from State Branch of Associations of Social Work Co-opted members

: 	Elected for the year 2013-15 

: 	Ms Beena Sebastian, Ernakulam 

: 	Fr. Saju M.D. CMI,, Ernakulam 

: 	Fr. Jose Alex CMI, Ernakulam 

: 	Dr. Celine Sunny. Ernakulam 

: 	Ms Aisha Salim. Ernakulam 

: 	Fr. Romance Antony, Kottayam 

: 	Dr. Anish.K.R., ASSK, Ernakulam 

: 	Dr. Mary Joseph, Ernakulam Dr.Cherian.P.Kurien,Idukki 

	Dr. J. Prasant Palakkapillil CMI, Ernakulam Dr. P. M. Mathew,Kasargod 

	Mr. Deepak G, Ernakulam 

MEETINGS

National Executive Committee Meeting

A meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Indian council of Social Welfare was held on 11th January 2014 at the ICSW Working Women‟s Hostel, R.C. Marg, Chembur, Mumbai 400 071. The meeting decided to hold Elections for filing the posts of the President, Hon. Secretary General, Hon. Treasurer and also the Vice Presidents and Associate Secretaries of the Zones. The Election will be held in the General Body Meeting on Saturday the 29th March, 2014 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

National General Body Meeting

The  National	General  Body  Meeting  of	Indian	Council	of  Social  Welfare	was	held	
on 29th March,	2014  at Ahmedabad, Gujarat	.Dr.	J.  Prasant	Palakkapillil  CMI	from	ICSW	

Kerala had been elected as the National Associate Secretary of ICSW at the meeting. Mr.Dineshbhai Rawal is the new National President .Mr N.K. Bhupesh Babu is the Secretary General and Mr Narendrabhai Unadkat the Treasurer.Dr. Mary Joseph (International Affairs) Ms. Beena Sebastian (Women Empowerment) Mr. M P Antoni (Child Rights And Adoption) from ICSW Kerala were nominated to the subcommittees. Other sub-committees conveners are Mr.Nair.V.K.M (Advocacy, Networking and Public Relation) Mr.Sanju (Environment and Ecology ) Mr.Babubhai.M.Shah ( Finance & Resource Mobilisation) Smt.Sujatha Shah (Hostel Management) and Dr.Binoo Paul (Professional Social Work Education) .

The meeting also decided to have five nominated members with the Executive Members being part of the committee ex-officio. It was also decided to prepare a set of guidelines, within the framework of the ICSW byelaws, regarding the scope and functioning of the sub-committees.

State Office Meetings

There were six meetings during the year.

Working Committee Meeting held on 26th April, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry.

Executive Committee Meeting held on June 29, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry

Annual General Body Meeting held on July 27, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry.

Working Committee Meeting held on September 9, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry

Executive Committee Meeting held On October 11, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry

Working Committee Meeting held on January 31, 2013 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamasserry

ACTIVITIES

ICSW STATE BRANCH AS AN ‘ADOPTION SCRUTINY AGENCY

The state branch is the Scrutinizing Agency appointed by the Govt. of India, Supreme Court of India and High Court of Kerala for inter country and in country scrutiny of the petitions filed for adoption/guardianship and to submit its recommendations to the Hon’ble District Courts and

Family Courts in Kerala for their consideration while passing orders.

In- country scrutiny cases scrutinized by ICSW

To streamline the procedures for in country adoptions and check possible malpractices, High Court of Kerala approved ICSW Kerala Branch as Scrutiny Agency for in- country adoptions in Kerala in 2004 and got it renewed in 2007 & 2010 for three more years. This year 48 in- country adoption cases were scrutinized.

Details of cases examined		
Name of the Court	No of adoptions	
1.	District Court	38	
	Trivandrum		
2.	Family Court	10	
	Palakkad		

Visit to Placement Agencies

The Programme Officer was regularly visiting Child Placement Agencies to verify documents and to see children for adoption.

Assessment Report

An Assessment report (on an ISS case from England ) was prepared by Program Officer, ICSW-Kerala which was referred by Indian Council of Social Welfare, Central Office, Mumbai.

INTERACTION WITH SOCIAL WORK COLLEGES

As the part of raising membership, ICSW- Kerala organised membership campaigns in different social work colleges all over Kerala. The main aim of this campaign is to bring enthusiastic social work students as the members of ICSW- Kerala. Membership campaigning has been conducted in Social work colleges like:

Vimala College, Thrissur

Marian College Kuttikkanam,

BCM College Kottayam.

Bharata Mata College Thrikkakara

Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences, Kalamassery

Loyola College,Trivandrum

MEMBERSHIP

During the year, we had enrolled 133 new members to ICSW- Kerala.

1.	Life members	: 64	
2.	NGO members	: 03	
3.	Individual members	: 02	
4.	Associate members	: 64	

The General Body Meeting of ICSW Kerala State Branch

The General Body meeting of the ICSW Kerala State Branch was held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on Saturday, July 27, 2013. The meeting started at 11.20 a.m. with a silent prayer. Fr.Saju.M.D, CMI, General Secretary, extended a hearty welcome to all the members present. He appreciated all the members for participating in the meeting.

Ms. Beena Sebastian in her presidential address said that General Body meeting will discuss about the success and concerns of ICSWs one year activities. She thanked all the Executive Committee members for their support in the functioning of ICSW- Kerala and said that a strong team with good leadership should be elected to the State Chapter in the upcoming election. The State Level Executive Committee for The Year 2013-15 was elected.

The Executive Committee Meetings Of ICSW Kerala State Branch

An Executive Committee Meeting Of ICSW Kerala was held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on Friday, October 11, 2013

Decisions taken

It was decided that Sangamam Rendezvous 2014 will be held at Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on 9th and 10 January 2014.The meeting decided to hold the Executive Committee meeting of District Chapters before Sangamam Rendezvous 2014. The meeting also decided to form a Core Committee for Sangamam Rendezvous which include representatives of ASSK, AKSA, KAPS, Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences , ICSW- Ernakulam and ICSW-Kerala and to organize a meeting within the 1st or 2nd week of November 2014.

Another Executive Committee Meeting Of ICSW Kerala was held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on Saturday, June 29, 2013

Decisions taken

The General Body Meeting was tentatively fixed for 27th July At Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences, Kalamassery at 10.30 a.m and a presentation of each District Chapter about their activities .

The Executive Committee decided to hold one more working Committee meeting before the general body meeting and also send a letter to District Chapter for a statement of their accounts and norms of operation. The meeting decided To form a committee for framing the norms of operation for District Chapter which included Dr. Mary Joseph, Mr. K.K. Shaju , Mr. Deepak G and Mr.Jobi Babu.

Discussion on the Draft of the Voluntary Sector Policy prepared by KILA

ICSW Kerala organised a Discussion on the Draft of the Voluntary Sector Policy prepared by KILA on 26-04-2013 at 4.30 P.M at Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences, Kalamassery. ICSW,

Kerala’s suggestions that may be incorporated in the draft was send via email to Mr. J.B. Rajan, Asst. Professor of KILA.

Official Inauguration of ICSW Idukki Chapter

The inauguration and the first official meeting of the Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW), Idukki chapter was held on 20.07.2013 at Marian College, Kuttikkanam. Social workers and NGO representatives from Idukki District participated in the meeting. Dr. Cherian P Kurien, Director, School of Social Work Marian College and former Vice President of ICSW Kerala Branch welcomed the gathering.

Workshop on “ Support And Healing Of Child Abuse Victims” at Idukki

Indian Council of Social Welfare Idukki District chapter in association with School of Social Work Marian College, Kuttikkanam and Childline, Idukki jointly organized a two days

workshop on “Support and healing of child abuse victims” from 09-10 October, 2013 at Marian College, Kuttikkanam.

Snehathanal

Marian College Kuttikkanam had initiated a unique programme namely ‘Snehathanal’ on 11

November 2013. Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW), Idukki District Chapter was the joint organizer of the programme which was exclusively meant for teachers who influence their students to achieve success in life. Marian Guru Sreshta Puraskar was awarded during the programme to the teacher who has showed selfless love towards students and immense commitment towards their profession. Smt. Rosakutty Abraham (Vice President, ICSW Kerala) was present for the programme.

District Level Training for Social Work Students on Tuberculosis (TB) at Thrissur

ICSW-Thrissur District Chapter in association with Dept. of Social Work Vimala College, Thrissur and CHAI – AXSHYA TB Project conducted a District Level Training for Social Work Students on Tuberculosis (TB). Around 60 students from Vimala College, Thrissur and St.Thomas College , Thrissur participated for the programme. The training was organised on 20th November 2013, 10.30am to 1 Pm at Vimala College, Thrissur. Sri. Jinesh lal , ICSW Kerala, General Secretary attended the programme.

Input Session on the Aajeevika Skill Development Programme

A Meeting Of ICSW Ernakulam Branch was held at Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on Saturday, December 7th, 2013 . An Input Session On The Aajeevika Skill Development Programme (ASDP) was lead by Mr.Rajeev.S , Training Officer, Rajagiri Outreach .The Aajeevika Skill Development Programme (ASDP) aims to skill rural youth who are poor and provide them with jobs in the organised sector. It is one of the cluster of initiatives of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India (MoRD) that seeks to promote rural livelihoods. It is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Sangamam 2014

Sangamam (State level gathering of NGOs/Voluntary Organizations) and Rendezvous 2014 (State level congregation of social work students and faculty) organized by ICSW Kerala State Branch in association with Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, ICSW Ernakulam, ASSK, KAPS

& AKSSA was held on 10th and 11th January 2014 at RCSS Kalamassery. This year’s theme was “Community Mobilization for Empowerment”

Sangamam started with a Silent Prayer. Welcome Address was delivered by Mr. M Santhosh, President, ICSW Ernakulum Chapter followed by Lightning the lamp. Ms. Beena Sebastian (Immediate Past President of ICSW Kerala) inaugurated the function. Mr. M. P Antoni , President, ICSW Kerala State gave the Presidential Address.

ICSW Member/ Organizations representatives Rev. Fr. Romance Antony (Executive Director Kerala Social Service Forum ,Kottyam ), Ms. Beena Sebastian (Cultural Academy For Peace, Ernakulam) Adv. Mary Cyriac, (Vice President, District Women Council, Idukki), Dr. Anish K.R, (Secretary ASSK and KAPS) Fr.Joy James ( Director , Loyola Extension Services, Trivandrum) and Mr. P.C. Jose (Secretary , Mirror, Wayanad) Shared their Experience in Community Mobilization for Empowerment Which was followed by an Open Forum & Resolution on NGO participation in Governance. Mr. Jineshlal R V, General Secretary, ICSW Kerala State conveyed the Vote of Thanks.

ICSW- Valavi Award

Valavi Award is instituted in memory of Sri John Valavi, one of the pioneering leaders of ICSW in Kerala. ICSW Kerala shall annually identify an institution of excellence rendering service in the social welfare sector. The annual Award contains Rs.10000/- and Memento. The Award committee is appointed by the State Chapter of ICSW Kerala.

District Women’s Council Idukki , Cheruthony received the 3rd Indian Council of Social

Welfare Valavi Memorial Award by the hands of Hon’ble Minister Sri. K. Babu ,Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Excise, Govt of Kerala

District Women’s Council Idukki , Cheruthony, Idukki District which is a branch of State

Women’s Council has been providing committed service for the last 37 years for the welfare of poor and needy especially women and children in remote areas . It has to its credit Swadhar Shelter Home , Family Counseling Centre, Working Women’s Hostel ,

Sahrudaya Day Care Centre for Babies, Vanitha Library , Life Guidance Centre etc.

District Women’s Council Idukki is a model for humanitarian services.

Rendezvous 2014

More than 300 students From 14 colleges in Kerala, participated for Rendezvous 2014 held on 10th and 11th January 2014. Hon’ble Minister Sri. K. Babu ,Minister for Fisheries, Ports and

Excise, Govt of Kerala inaugurated Rendezvous 2014. The competitions conducted for the students were Theme dance, Street play, Mobile documentary, Collage, Outstanding Social work team, and ICSW Best Student research Award.The overall championship was bagged by Loyola College, Triavandrum. The 1st and 2nd runner-up were BCM College, Kottayam and Lissah College, Kozhikode respectively. Valedictory function of Rendezvous 2014 was inaugurated by Music Director Alphonse Joseph. Kerala Central University Social Work Department Head Dr.Kotteshwara Raju, Rajagiri Dean and Administrator Dr. Mary Venus Joseph , Mr. M. P Antoni , President, ICSW Kerala , Dr. Anish K.R, Rendezvous Convenor Mr. Kiran Thampi, also addressed the gathering

ICSW Kerala Annual Award for Best MSW Dissertation

The state level award will be given to the BEST Social work dissertation in Kerala. Any student of MSW who has done his/her Master of Social Work course on a regular basis in any recognized institutes affiliated to any universities in Kerala can apply for award. The important criteria of assessment is Overall quality of dissertation work. Ms.Lakshmi Mohan from Loyola College ,Trivandrum received ICSW Best MSW Dissertation Award 2013 in Kerala from Mr.M.P.Antoni, President ,ICSW Kerala at Rendezvous 2014. The title of her Dissertation was

“Living positively with HIV: A case study of HIV Positive widows. Ms. Leena Mary Alex from

BCM college, Kottayam and Ms Rinku Roy from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences Kalamassery won the 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Petition  to  Honble  Chief  Justice  of  Kerala  for  Appointment  of  social  workers  while

constituting Benches of Lok Adalat

ICSW Kerala filed a petition to Honble Chief Justice of Kerala on November 24, 2013 For Appointment of social workers while constituting benches of Lok Adalat. As per Kerala Legal Service Authority Rules 1998 , rule no-29 the social workers is part of the benches of Lok Adalat. Most of the benches of Lok Adalat are not comprised of social workers though there is a provision for a social worker to be part of the Lok Adalat Bench. ICSW Kerala prayed to Honble

Chief Justice of Kerala issue necessary orders to all the concerned judicial authorities or Legal Service Committees to appoint social workers in the benches of Lok Adalat

Letter to Chief minister of Kerala regarding appointment of MSW professionals too while

carrying out recruitment in National Urban Health Mission

ICSW Kerala sent a letter to Chief minister of Kerala regarding appointment of MSW professionals too while carrying out recruitment in National Urban Health Mission ( as it is in NRHM in Kerala) on March 7, 2014 .Letters were also sent to The Health Minister of Government Of Kerala, The Secretary of Health Department Of Kerala , Director of National Health Mission of Kerala and The Governor of Kerala stating that the MSW professionals are carrying out commendable services in KSACS and Jalanidhi Projects of the Government. Hence they should be considered while carrying out recruitment in National Urban Health Mission too.

Letter to Social Justice Department requesting the State Government to include ICSW representative in adoption committee

ICSW Kerala had sent a letter to Social Justice Department on November 24, 2013 to the fact that adoption committee in the state level have been constituted without representatives from ICSW Kerala which is the scrutinizing agency of adoption of Kerala since 1984. The letter requested the State Government to include ICSW representative in appropriate committees.

WEBSITE

During the year, State Branch up- dated its website [www.icswkerala.org], by including the following details:

Name and address of the ICSW State Executive Committee Members.

Name and address of the Schools of Social Work in Kerala.

Membership details

Recent programmes

News letter

PLACEMENT CELL ACTIVITIES

The Placement Cell of ICSW facilitated social workers to improve their skills for career development and assisted them in applying for registration in professional social work regulatory bodies abroad. ICSW had given professional references to our life members, for registering in professional social work bodies and for securing jobs in countries like Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and Ireland.

INTERNSHIP FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

ICSW provide work-based learning experiences involving social work students who have attended extensive school-based preparation relating to a career objective and experiential assessment, evaluation of students’ development in the process of becoming a helping professional.

PUBLICATIONS

ICSW publish Newsletters and Opportunity Publication through which ICSW keeps regular communication with life members, by sending them pertinent information of current importance.

LIVE LAB

ICSW as a Live- lab of Rajagiri College of social Sciences continued to facilitate social work students for undertaking organizational study on child welfare and adoption, networking among

NGO’s etc.

CONCLUSION

ICSW Kerala in its 60th year of existence is glad that we as an umbrella body of networking is gaining in strength. The present team gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Team, the various district branches of the state, each of the institutional and individual members, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Department of Social Welfare, Kerala, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), High Courts, District Courts & all Family courts in Kerala, all Child Welfare Committees, Association of Schools of Social Work in Kerala (ASSK) and Live Labs in Rajagiri who were abundantly helpful and offered their priceless support. We look forward to continue the great tasks with your enormous and high-quality support.