Centre for Child Rights (CCR), National Law University Odisha (NLUO) and Child Rights and You (CRY) are deliberating on Child-Centred Justice in the official satellite event of the 5^th World Congress on Justice with Children

Cuttack, 28th May 2025, The Centre for Child Rights (CCR), National Law University Odisha (NLUO) in partnership with Child Rights and You (CRY) is organising one of the official satellite events of the 5th World Congress on Justice With Children. This is scheduled on 3rd June 2025 in the NLUO campus at 2.00pm IST, and will be live-streamed across the world via 5th World Congress platform.

The World Congress on Justice With Children is a global platform that convenes every five years to further the policy, practice and discourse on child-centred justice. It comprises of organizations and individuals championing children’s right to access justice around the world. Notably, the members are institutions and individuals championing the cause of children’s access to justice and child rights, i.e. the United Nations’ nodal agencies like UNICEF, UNODC etc, global, regional and national civil society organisations like Terre Des Hommes, Penal Reforms International etc, academics, members of the judiciary around the world and national governments and most importantly the children and youth, who are at the centre of this global conversation.

The theme of the 2025 Congress is: “Advancing Child-Centred Justice: Preventing and Responding to Violence Affecting Children in Justice Systems.” This year’s Congress aims to highlight both entrenched and systemic issues and solutions that can enable and create an inclusive, rehabilitative and compassionate justice system for children.

The Global Initiative on Justice With Children was first launched in 2019 at the United Nations’ Head Quarters’ Geneva during the 30th anniversary of passing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It was born out of the recognition of the ongoing plight of millions of children who were detained and experienced violence, neglect and trauma within the justice systems worldwide.

The satellite event at National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is dedicated to pushing the discourse on child-centred justice at a very crucial moment. Children’s access to justice is not only a key part of the legal and court proceedings in India and the world, but the very definition of justice is being expanded as this report is being written, so that the life chances, determinants are also given due importance and made justiciable. Universal accessibility of justice to every child everywhere is being foregrounded over just penning justice as a concept. This is the shared position of the NLUO, CCR and CRY.

In spotlight, is the General Comment 27 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In the UN human rights’ treaty system, a general comment (GC) is a non-binding interpretation of guidance provided by a treaty body on the obligations of the state parties. It is essentially comprising of expert opinions that help clarify the meaning and guide the states in implementing their commitments as signatories to a treaty, in this case, the UNCRC. General Comment 27 is a key provision that guides states’ and their instruments on implementing the rights of children in the context of access to justice, and the CCR-NLUO’s contribution will further unpack and interpret on why and how to make children’s access to justice a reality. The institutional position will be presented by Prof. Ved Kumari, Vice Chancellor of NLUO and Patron-in-Chief of the Centre for Child Rights. Prof Kumari is a credentialed global legal educator and one of the foremost names in juvenile justice in the world.

The satellite event will be graced by a distinguished panel of eminent practitioners with credentialed work in child rights, justice systems, and public administration. Hon’ble Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur, Chairperson of the United Nations’ Internal Justice Council and former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Justice Savitri Ratho, Judge of Orissa High Court and also the Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Orissa High Court, Hon’ble Justice K Chandru, a retired Judge of the Madras High Court, public intellectual and life-long advocate for making justice accessible to everyone, Smt. Shubha Sarma, IAS, the Principal Secretary of Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha and Ms Sonal Kapoor, founder-CEO of Protsahan India Foundation, will be deliberating on various aspects of children’s access to justice in the legal systems and in their everyday lives.

The CCR, since its inception in 2015, has played a significant role in shaping discourse, policy and practice around child rights in India. It is the oldest research, teaching and advocacy centre of its kind at the National Law University Odisha (NLUO), and the second oldest child rights’ centre across all National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. Additionally CCR also holds the distinction of being home to the only Chair Professorship on Child Rights in India. This establishes the Centre not only as a hub for rigorous scholarship but also as a leader in thought, practice and innovation in the field of child rights. CCR is now working to ensure that economic, social, and cultural rights—such as access to quality education, healthcare, adequate nutrition, and a safe environment—are recognized as enforceable, justiciable rights for every child, rather than aspirational goals. By doing so, the Centre seeks to influence both policy and legal frameworks, ensuring that every child, regardless of socio-economic background, enjoys the full spectrum of rights that contribute to their dignity, development and better life opportunities.

The co-host, CRY is one of the most credentialed non-profit organisations, in the “child rights” space in India with a legacy of almost five decades. Founded in 1979, CRY has consistently worked to ensure that every child enjoys their right to survival, protection, development and participation. With more than 144 active projects across 20 Indian states, CRY has impacted the lives of over 4.7 million children through strategic interventions in education, health care, child protection and community mobilization. CRY’s collaboration in this event aligns with its longstanding mission to build a just and equitable society where all children can achieve their full potential. Its current presence is in 20 states in India with direct intervention projects, research, public engagement and knowledge exchange work. It was instrumental in making child rights an everyday conversation in Indian households and institutions through its iconic CRY cards for every occasion, the proceeds of which went to child welfare.

The satellite event organized by CCR-NLUO in partnership with CRY is more than just a formal gathering (on the world-wide-web and in the NLUO campus)—it is a call to action for every stakeholder in the child justice system. It represents a collective acknowledgment that justice systems, as they stand today, often fall short of protecting the best interests of the child. It calls upon every actor—from judiciary to executive, from NGOs to academia—to pause, introspect, innovate, and implement child-centred justice. In the spirit of the 5th World Congress on Justice With Children, the event aims to generate actionable dialogue, inspire collaborative partnerships and ultimately contribute toward building justice systems where every child feels safe, heard and empowered.

The CCR, NLUO and CRY invite all stakeholders and interested members of the public to join this important global conversation and help shape a justice system that truly serves its youngest and most vulnerable members.

 For more information, please contact:

1. Kallola K Patanaik, Assistant Registrar, NLUO kkp@nluo.ac.in +91 9437730455
2. Durbadala Mantry, Advocate, Legal Aid, KUTUMB, NLUO mantry@nluo.ac.in +91 9692004909
3. Dr Swagatika Samal, Researcher, CM Chair Prof Team, Centre for Child Rights, NLUO swagatika@nluo.ac.in +91 9439872656
4. Abhik Bhattacharya, Associate General Manager, Research and Knowledge Exchange, CRY bhattacharya@crymail.org +91 9051668304
5. Subhendu Bhattacharya: Director, Research and Knowledge Exchange, CRY: bhattacharjee@crymail.org , +91 9899110837

 

Official Satellite Event of the 5^th World Congress on Justice with Children

PANEL DISCUSSION ON ADVANCING CHILD-CENTRED JUSTICE

When: 3^rd June 2025

Time: 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm (including lunch and felicitation)

Where: Conference Hall, Administrative Block, National Law University Odisha,

Cuttack – 753015

 

Mode: Hybrid

To be globally webcast as part of the 5^th World Congress

 

Featuring: 

Hon’ble Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur

Chairperson, United Nations Internal Justice Council & Former Judge of Supreme Court of India

 Justice K Chandru

Retd. Judge, High Court: Madras

 Justice Savitri Ratho

JJC Chairperson, Orissa High Court

 Smt. Shubha Sarma, IAS / Shri Sambit K Nayak OAS (SAG)

Department of Women and Child Welfare, GoO

 Ms Sonal Kapoor

Protsahan India Foundation

 

Hosted by:

 Centre for Child Rights – National Law University Odisha

 Prof. Biraj Swain

Chief Minister’s Chair Professor cum Director

Centre for Child Rights (CCR) – NLUO                   

 Child Rights and You (CRY)

 Shri Subhendu Bhattacharjee

Policy and Knowledge Exchange Director, CRY

 

National Law University Odisha (NLUO)  as a part of its Project on Tobacco Control Initiatives is organising a one-day workshop on “Strengthening Tobacco Control Laws and Implementation Measures in India” at West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata. The event will be jointly organised by NLUO, the Centre for Public Health Research-MANT, Vital Strategies, and WBNUJS.

The workshop will focus on a wide array of themes critical to advancing tobacco control in India. This will include an overview of the Global Tobacco Control Project and its legislative framework, the importance of adopting stronger tobacco control policies on advertisement and  sponsorship, the need for smoke-free public places through the removal of designated smoking areas and rooms (DSA/DSR). Discussions will also center on the protection of minors and adolescents, the implementation of the ToFEI guidelines, and the proposal to increase the minimum legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years. Participants will deliberate on the strategies to counter tobacco industry interference, the MPOWER strategy as a global tobacco control framework, and effective mechanisms for tobacco cessation.

The upcoming workshop is designed to serve as a dynamic platform for sensitising legal educators to critical public health and legislative issues surrounding tobacco control. With participation from distinguished resource persons representing a range of professional and academic backgrounds, the sessions promise to offer rich, multidisciplinary perspectives. This initiative also highlights the strong institutional collaboration between National Law University Odisha (NLUO) and the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), aiming to contribute meaningfully to both national and state-level tobacco control efforts.

 

National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is proud to announce the organization of a specialized Training Programme on New Criminal Laws for personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The programme is scheduled to be conducted on the 26^th and 27^th of April 2025 and the 3^rd and 4^th of May 2025, at the university campus.

This initiative aims to enhance the understanding and practical application of the recently enacted criminal laws among RPF personnel. With significant reforms introduced in India’s criminal justice system, it is imperative that law enforcement personnel are well-versed with the new legal provisions, procedures, and implications.

The training programme has been carefully designed by the faculty members of NLUO to address critical aspects of the new legislation, including procedural changes, substantive law updates, and their impact on special laws pertaining to RPF. Interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions will form an integral part of the training, ensuring an engaging and effective learning experience.

Participants will include RPF officers from Khurda Road & Sambalpur Divisions of East Coast Railway, and the programme will serve as a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building in light of the evolving legal landscape.

NLUO remains dedicated to advancing legal education and supporting institutions involved in the maintenance of law and order across the country.

The Bioscope Global Film Festival, organized by the Centre for Film Studies, NLUO is to honour creativity through SHORT FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES, FEATURE FILMS, MUSIC VIDEOS, ANIMATED MOVIES of different National and  International  Languages and genre who have contributed significantly and globally to world cinema. Movies from all over the world are invited, panelised, screened and rewarded for their phenomenal and unique concepts. National Law University Odisha is excited to collaborate for this venture. This collaboration between a premiere law institute and an organization that patrons and fosters independent cinema, is expected to not only weave discussion around independent cinema but also delve into the different societal aspects portrayed in cinema.

The Constitutional Law Society (CLS) & Society for Advancement of Animal and Environmental Welfare (SAAEW) of NLUO in collaboration with Humane World for Animals (HWA) are organizing the NLUO-HWA National Conference on Expanding Principles of Constitutional Law and Rights of Non-Humans under Article 21 on 5 & 6 September 2025.

The Conference seeks to examine the evolving jurisprudential developments and their intersection with contemporary issues such as indigenous rights, sustainable development, animal personhood, euthanasia, digital privacy, and social security. As constitutional law expands its scope, it raises critical questions about balancing human interests with the recognition of Rights of Non-Humans.

Please check the brochure for further details. Click here

Date: 19.03.2025
Timing: 11:30 AM to 01:30 PM
Venue: Seminar Hall, Academic Block

This focus group discussion is part of the NUJS Collaborative Project ‘Evaluation of Old Age Homes under the Abadana Scheme: A Study in Odisha.’ The purpose of this Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is to gather insights and feedback from key stakeholders on improving the quality of care and services provided at old age homes. Therefore, by engaging with diverse participants comprised of inmates of old age homes, family members of inmates, caregivers, doctors, community members, legal experts, policy makers and law enforcements officers, the FGD aims to gain a deeper understanding of the objectives behind the state’s schemes for the welfare of the elderly as well as assess the responses of the inmates of the old-age homes. Ultimately, the findings from this FGD will be crucial in informing policy recommendations for strengthening the implementation and impact of the active ageing policies.

Sessions to be conducted by:
Dr. Sohini Mahapatra, Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO
Dr. Mrinalini Banerjee, Co- Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO

National Law University Odisha with the support of National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is organizing a One-Day Awareness Programme on Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (MWPSC), to impart a holistic understanding of the law. Designed for Senior citizens and other stakeholders dealing with the welfare of senior citizens, officers of judicial services/ judges, and police personnel, this workshop aims to empower participants with legal awareness, equip stakeholders with practical tools for enforcement, and promote collective responsibility in ensuring the well-being of senior citizens.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the MWPSC Act and the mechanisms for its effective enforcement. Stakeholders, including government officials, judicial officers, and police personnel, will gain insights into their roles in ensuring compliance with the Act. The workshop will foster greater awareness, encourage proactive intervention, and strengthen institutional support for the dignity and well-being of senior citizens.

Program Coordinators:
Dr. Sohini Mahapatra, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO
Dr. Mrinalini Banerjee, Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO