The fourth edition of All India Media Conference 2019 has come up with new initiative to support to violence free childhood by organizing Walkathon at Udaipur celebrating 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and 70 years of UNICEF India. Walkathon will be organised to highlight Violence-Free Childhood along the banks of Fatehsagar Lake in Udaipur on the second day of the conference on September 28, 2019.
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data Violence against Children in India has increased by a sharp 11 per cent between 2015 and 2016. Going by absolute numbers, the total number of crimes against children reported in 2016 was 1,06,958 crime against 94,172 recorded in 2015, indicating an increase of 12,786. In 2012, 9500 children and adolescents were killed in India, representing 10 per cent of all children globally and making India the third largest contributor to child homicide. Shocking data on violence against children, especially girls, adds to the dismal picture about the violence against children
All India Media Conference-2019 chairman Shri Kalyan Singh Kothari said, “We are building an atmosphere through ‘Walkathon’ for creating visibility for violence free childhood.”
He said that a three-day All India Media Conference (AIMC) – 2019 on “Digital Communication & Empowerment: Emerging Opportunities and Key Challenges” will be organised in City of Lakes – Udaipur. Premier media advocacy organisation Lok Samvad Sansthan that has the legacy of organising three All India Media Educators’ conference along with NACC accredited ‘A’ grade university – ML Sukhadia University, Udaipur through its Department of Journalism and Mass Communication will host this conference from September 27 to 29 at Udaipur.
He said the Convention on the Rights of the Child protects the right of all children, everywhere, to be free from discrimination, violence and neglect, while together with the Government and partners, UNICEF works to ensure that every child has the best start in life, thrives and develops to their full potential.
Shri Kothari said around 250-300 media educators, academicians, media professionals, corporate communicators, public representatives and social media activists are from all over India will participate along with large number NGOs and civil societies organizations of Udaipur, school children along with public at large will take part in Walkathon.
During the three-day conference, UNICEF Rajasthan and Lok Samvad Sansthan will be giving Media Recognition for Development Journalism for Change. The shortlisted entries will be recognized with certificate and memento along with cash prize of Rs 20,000, Rs 18,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively for the first three winners. Journalists across the country have been asked to submit their entries before the last date on September 14, 2019, he added.
To encourage initiatives in Media Education, a special category of award in media education has been introduced in this year’s conference. Under this category, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and media research scholars who have done innovations or taken new initiatives in Media Education during last two years will be felicitated.
A Special talk show with experts will be organised on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on September 28, 2019. The chief guest of the function will be Rajasthan Assembly speaker Dr C P Joshi, informed conference chairman.
This conference is supported by esteemed institutions like UNICEF Rajasthan; Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC); Adamas University, Kolkata; Inclusive Media for Change; GD Goenka International School, Udaipur, Anuvrat Global Organisation (Anuvibha) – Bal Shanti Nilayam (Children’s Peace Palace) Rajsamand and One World Foundation India.
