CINI Celebrates 25 Years of Adolescent Empowerment and Advocacy

News Desk, News Nation 360 : The Child in Need Institute (CINI), a licensed non-governmental organisation with a national presence, will commemorate 50 years of dedicated service to children, mothers, and marginalised communities in 2024. The agency is currently preparing to mark the 25th anniversary of one of its most influential flagship initiatives, the Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC), which has played a critical role in increasing adolescent empowerment, health, and advocacy throughout India. ARC is a flagship programme of Child in Need Institute, CINI, launched in the year 2000. It addresses the health, rights, leadership, and overall well-being of adolescents through its multi-faceted approach. Over two and a half decades, the program has grown to cover sexual and reproductive health and rights, non-communicable diseases, education, mental health, leadership development, prevention of substance misuse, gender-based violence, nutrition, and youth advocacy, reaching out to millions in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, and Jharkhand. ARC's holistic model comprises community engagement, peer leadership, school retention, protection from abuse, and life skill enhancement, supporting both girls and boys, young adults, and their families. CINI was established in 1974 by Dr Samir Chaudhuri and is in partnership with various donors, the government, NGOs, and CBOs to develop and implement national schemes, such as RKSK and the School Health and Wellness Programme. ARC plays a very important role in policy advocacy, IEC material development, research, and nurturing youth-led platforms to amplify adolescent voices and strengthen systems for the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations. CINI has twice won the National Award for Child Welfare and continues its operation at scale through direct interventions and capacity building for adolescent empowerment and health.

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