In the technical session of Day-I, Dr N.K.Mahakud, Reader, Post Graduate Department of Sociology in Sambalpur University, explained “The Status of Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Western Odisha” in his power point presentation. It was followed by a session of discussion and clarification. Mr Hara Prasad Mohapatra, Village Director, SOS Children’s Village Rourkela & Member of Child Welfare Committee, Sundergarh, conducted a discussion soon after his presentation on “Children need a Family like Environment to Grow & Develop/ Right to Family & Family Strengthen Programme”.

Mr Rajendra Meher, Secretary, YCDA, Boudh, presented his paper on “Understanding Alternative Form of Care for the Children without Parental Care”. Since it was the main theme of the regional workshop, so there was a large scale discussion on it and almost all the participants tried to participate in it. Mr Sumanta Kumar Nath, Coordinator- Vasundhara, Katak, explained the child adoption process in his power point presentation, ‘Process of in-Country & Inter Country Adoption’. And the activities of Day-I was concluded for that day.

The workshop on the Day-II started with recapitulation of the proceedings of the earlier day. Mr Subhash Ray, Consultant on Child Rights Programming, presented ‘Conceptual Clarity on Child Rights Protection’. A panel was formed with Mr Gop Ranjan Dubey, Chairperson  & Dr Diptibala Patnaik, Member Child Welfare Committee Sambalpur, Mr Lalit Mohan Dash, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Jharsuguda, Mr N.K.Mahakud, Reader, Post Graduate Department of Sociology in Sambalpur University, Mr Sudhir Pujari, A prominent Social Worker & Mr Rajendra Meher, Convenor of the Workshop as Resource Persons. The panel discussed in detail on “Protection of Orphan and Vulnerable Children in the Framework of Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act”.

Some of the participants shared their field experiences on Alternative Forms of Child Care in the subsequent session of the workshop. In the final session of the workshop, a panel was formed with Dr Diptibala Patnaik, Consultant & Mr Shiv Prasad Meher, Manager Public Relations of BISWA both members of Child Welfare Committee, Sambalpur; Mr Sudhir Pujari, a prominent social worker, Mr N.K.Mahakud, Mr Hara Prasad Mohapatra and Mr Subhash Roy as members. The panel gathered suggestions from the participants to plan the future and way forward. The workshop was concluded in such a way. The message from the workshop emerged as “Family is the best place for the children to grow and develop”.