The network will be an independent body – owned, managed, and run by care-leavers themselves, and will work to secure the rights & entitlements of care-leavers
NEW DELHI, August 19, 2021: Young representatives of care-leavers in India, today, launched the National Care Leavers Network (NCLN), a youth collective focusing on After-Care for care leavers.
The network, facilitated by UNICEF and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India), will aim to empower youth leaving Child Care Institutions (CCI) and other forms of alternative care.
The virtual launch was attended by Mr. Atul Tiwari, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Ms. Jyotsna from National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India, UNICEF, Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief, Generation Unlimited (YuWaah), Youth Development and Partnerships, UNICEF, Chetan Kapoor, COO, Tech Mahindra Foundation, Sunil Dahiya, EVP, Wadhwani Foundation, Rahul Banerjee, VP & Head, Corporate Affairs, Quess Corp and Nihal Rustagi, Strategic Partnerships, APNA Time Inc who pledged their commitment to support the Network.
The event also had young representatives of care-leavers from different parts of India, who spoke about their journeys, aspirations and challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also shed light on the support they wish to seek from stakeholders across the ecosystem to enable them with sufficient skills, knowledge and provisions to help them transition seamlessly into adulthood.