Awareness can be solution to various problems Alva

India has two extreme faces called the rich and poor, said Alva's Education Foundation Chairman Dr Mohan Alva inaugurating Samprathi 2012, a two-day national seminar on 'Human rights advocacy: An avenue for social change,' at St Aloysius College on Tuesday.

"When rich enjoy the comforts of life, the poor who lack basic facilities are threatened by various insecurities and are also subjected to atrocities. India has renowned scholars and also people who are illiterate. To put an end to these differences, there is a need to bring in change and fight against injustice and inequality," said Alva.

Awareness can be a solution to various problems. With awareness, a person knows his rights and hence he can fight against discrimination.

"There is a need to remember that we are all humans," he said.

"Social change is the need of the hour. Human Rights Advocacy is a sure way of engaging in it in an immediate, effective, meaningful and sustainable way," opined Prashant (Centre for Human Rights Justice and Peace, Ahmedabad) Director Rev Fr Cedric Prakash.

Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, he said that advocacy has several dimensions and it comprises a whole range of involvements from twittering and signing petitions online to serious study and research; from diplomatic and sensitive negotiations to visible and vocal protests.

Human Rights advocacy is something that is within the reach of all," he said and added that if we truly want social change, we must explore human rights advocacy as a definite avenue.

Advocay is an ongoing process aimed at changing attitudes, actions, policies and laws by influencing people in power, systems and structures at different levels for the betterment of those affected by the issues.

"Advocay requires a series of well-planned and interconnected areas to be implemented over a period of time. However, in today's environment, which demands radical social change at various levels, advocacy is something much more. It pre-supposes at all times a very high degree of compassion, courage and commitment," he said.

Childs Rights Trust Executive Director Vasudeva Sharma who spoke on 'Child Rights and Advocacy' focused on the need for application of social work principles and methods in advocating for child rights to bring changes in practices at grassroots level interventions and in social policy and legislation.

"Advocacy is taking stringent action to bring about the change you are seeking. Therefore, advocacy must necessarily take place in a particular context, and be aimed at a particular target," he said.

Udupi District Labour Officer K G Johnson spoke on 'Employee Grievance and Advocacy'.

When grievances of the employee is not attended it may lead to frustration, alienation, demotivation, slackness, low productivity, absenteeism, indiscipline and labour unrest," he informed.

St Aloysius Institutions Rector Rev Fr Joseph Rodrigues presided over the programme.