Cyberstreet
Contributions of Civil Society Organisations to the Well-Being of Families
Service and Research Institute on Family and Children(SERFAC)
Adress:
1/157 Manimangalam Road,
Varadarajapuram,
Chennai 600048,India
Contact person:
DR. CATHERINE BERNARD
Contact e-mail:
dirserfac@gmail.com
Telephone:
91-44-64625913,
91 44 65150118
Homepage:
www.serfacglobal.org
www.serfacglobal25plus.org
www.defendfamily.org
Content:
1.PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS Since 2004.: Contextual: We all know the multifaceted and multidimensional crises that international and national communities are being confronted with. The global situation is affecting families, women and children especially the young. Quality of human living is disintegrating, children and women are trafficked, and youth are disillusioned.
With this back ground, analysis and understanding, Since its inception more specifically since 2004 has SERFAC has engaged in a balanced approach which requires integration of the three basic constituents/ground work/foundation of human and social development i.e individual ,family and community and the three pillars of social development i.e culture,religion and democracy. Such an approach strengthens human well being, enhances inclusiveness, social equality and responsibility, creates stronger social safety nets and security all of which are essential for healthy and stable family life. It is evident that the increasing breakdown of the family has led to most of the crises humanity finds itself embroiled in the 21st century.
Activities Since 2004 :Seminars, trainings, workshops, consultations ,think tanks, and international /global conferences attended by participants from local, national and international organizations, the media, corporate community, United Nations, Vatican and Government representatives have endeavoured to address these issues with the following Objectives : 1)Creating awareness, sensitising society that healthy families are the most important resource base and natural environment for the well being of its members especially women and children. 2) Recognising that family as the centre and basic unit of every community has not received the development vision, planning and execution of projects Hence the information that families and communities are exposed to rapid social, technological and ecological change and must be prepared and assisted for these changes which have a profound impact on family relationships. 3) Families must continue to provide basic life experien!
ces such as nurturing, caring and sharing for the well being of its members and family as a whole.4) Providing a platform for meeting, sharing , interacting, partnering ,net working and advocacy and enhancing services and working together toward the return of the family to the centre stage life.
Data : Each event(depending on nature ) lasted from 4-30 days. Since 2004 SERFAC has held 8 training programmes- trained 185 Cordinators for Family Life programmes in Asia, 30 Seminars and workshops- for over 1500 national participants,64 Regional seminars for over 850 participants,760 families participated in Rural Family Development project for 3 years. Over 1200 participants which included representatives from Governments, United Nations, Vatican and civil society from 68 countries attended the 5 international/ global conferences and think tanks held in India and abroad. Reports for each event is written. Most have been published including all annual reports. All events have inbuilt systems of monitoring and concluding evaluations which are specific forms given to participants. Analysis indicated the successful completion of each undertaking, and programmes met a felt need .
Partners: UN Global Compact Net Work India, India, Doha International Institute Qatar, Habitat for Humanity ,Bangkok, International Education for Peace Institute, Canada, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, Government of India, Partnership in Education and Research about Responsible Living ,Norway, Times Foundation, India, World Organisation Ovulation Method Billings, Australia. The work is supported by SERFAC’s resources and Donor Agencies.
2.Research : Since 2004: Contextual settings:
Changes in contemporary society particularly Socio-economic, Political, and Technological have affected and influenced family size, relationships and family culture. SERFAC notes that an ever increasing market economy along with the process of globalization have influenced life and life styles to the extent of eroding and in many ways replacing local cultures. Globalisation is not neutral or asymptomatic. It brings in its wake newer issues and problems. In short conscious of an ever changing environment and ethos SERFAC has emerged with clearer vision, determined position, paced momentum and relentless pursuit advocating the well being of families , and its stability as a priority in all social, governance, religious and civil society agendas. This has resulted in SERFAC scaling up its efforts with focus on Research.
Research projects are supported by grant making agencies and Government of India .The objectives are: Developing data that is contemporary and 2) filling the lacunae in Family Research.
1.Study on the Impact of Television on Family: Duration 13 months. The outcome of which is- family relationships are affected because time spent as a family is divided and /or there are quarrels on the priority of programmes to be watched by elders and children
2.Survey in Matriculation Schools in Chennai suburb (Tambaram) : Prevalence of the use of addictives by students from the ages 14-18 years. Duration 9 months. The outcome indicated - by the age of 14 years 32 %of students are addicted to tobacco, by 16 years 54 %are addicted to drugs. Details will be studied.
3.Organised 2 Think Tank of National Experts for 6 days each( is ongoing) : Developing strategies to address issues and formulate National Initiatives on : a)Family ‘ Missing Link in Development’ b) Refining Strategies and Inclusion of Family in Poverty Eradication, c) Promoting Empowerment of People in Poverty Eradication, Social Integration and Full Employment and Decent Work for All.
4. Initiated Asian(SAARC) and Global Think Tanks: for 6days sessions: Cooperation for Global Security and Embedment of Human Development Goals : Theme ’Revitalising the Fabric of the Family for Common Good: Options and Opportunities’(In progress)
5. An All India Study on The Prevalence of Violence to Children in Families.13 months (in progress) .
6. Survey in 30 Industries in Chennai : Social Problems and Business Success.10 months (in progress) Focus is to highlight the interconnection between home, society and work domains.
Partners In the Think Tanks are National Foundation for Communal Harmony ,Government of India and the UN Global Compact Net work India., Reports of all undertakings have been dissimenated to UN Bodies, Governments, Coorporate Community, National and International organizations, Civil society and NGO’S.
The Outcome of all research recommendations include pro family policies, will be published and widely disseminated.
3.Resources Available at SERFAC (Since 2004) ; Publications, Library and Press :
Objectives: 1.Providing opportunities for Education for a new state of thinking 2. Making up dated information effective in their universal fundamental human qualities, and values that are consonant of and in harmony with humanity 3. Making this information available to the community 4.As a human community we promote wide spread, new and practical civilization transitions, committed to protect and enhance family life, satisfy human needs of all and celebrate our colorful unity and the splendor and richness of our diversity and singularity.
For purposes of engaging participants who attend SERFAC ‘s programmes and visitors , and for purposes of research and knowledge sharing among various stake holders SERFAC has assiduously built up a library consisting of 4994 books on Family,(since 2004 : 630 new books were added ) to the library,and of its 12220 articles, clippings etc ( since 2004 :1820 new articles were added) to its documentation on family and related issues. SERFAC has an excellent video /compact disc library of all conferences including conferences held between 2004 and 2013 .Books in the library have been funded by Donor agencies.
SERFAC has made available to participants and other stake holders printed booklets of the statements of all conferences held between 2004. SERFAC has to its credit the publication of Conference papers of the 2006 Conference: Restoring Family Life and Sustaining World Peace, its 2009 Conference : The Transforming Role of The Family: Giving Children a Voice and 2011 Conference: Defend Family.
Published a hand Book on data related to Children and The Millenium Development Goals in 2006
In May 2013; The book: Family-Heart of Humanity edited by Dr. Catherine Bernard , published by Cambridge Scholars Press UK was released on May 15 ,2013. in New Delhi. Government, UN and Legal Luminaries ,Coorporate community, Research scholars, and NGO’s attended the Book release.
In October 2013: Sage Publication will complete the publishing of another book edited by Dr. Catherine Bernard ‘Nurturing Families Around the World and Building a Culture of Peace.’ The book will be released in November 2013.
In progress : publishing of a handbook: The Centrality of Family in Child Protection .This project is been sponsored by Irish Aid, Embassy of Ireland in India.
SERFAC has developed a handbook containing several models that explain the centrality of the family.
SERFAC has given 3 press conferences prior to the International/Global Conferences in 2006,2009 and 2011.These interviews have been televised on Local and National TV channels and have also appeared in the local and national news papers. Several Interviews by journalists were held during the conferences.
SERFAC has updated its 3 web sites and made it more informative and culturally relevant.
4 Plans for 2014 -20 :Observing 20 years of IYF.
SERFAC’s Campus was dedicated to IYF on March 7, 1994
Hence SERFAC will observe its 20th.Anniversary in 2014.
The observances of 20 years of IYF AND SERFAC will consist of :
Commissioning 2 Research projects
1. Intergenerational linkages of Violence to women in Families
2. Impact of Poverty on Children’s milestones in Development during stages of Development-A family Systems Approach.
SERFAC’s Publications that will be dedicated to IYF 20 Years:
1. Family :The Missing Link in Human Development
2. Family: Centre and Reality of Human Experience.
3. Publication of SERFAC Chronicals: 37 years of pioneering work for The Family.This book will be specifically dedicated to IYF 20 years.
Think Tanks:
Global Initiatives : Revitalising The fabric of The Family: Options and Opportunities. Human Development Goals: 2 Meetings : In New Delhi, India and Bangkok,Thailand.
Seminars on Family: Women and Gender Equality in Families ; In Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi.
The Role of The Family in Child Protection : Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi.
Sustainable Education and Social Health.
3. Libraries:
1 Commissioning the. Digitalising SERFAC’S Video and CD Libraries of all conferences, teaching materials, seminars, trainings.
2Commissioning the Digitalising SERFAC’s Archives of 37 years of pioneering work of the Founder Director, her publications and other important documents of SERFAC.
3. Designing a new web site to observe the 20 years of Dedication of SERFAC campus in Chennai,India.