On March 14th, 2014 Udayan Care launched an international academic journal 'Institutionalised Children: Explorations and Beyond' (ICEB), in relation to the state of care of children in institutions in the eight South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 1st issue of the journal was released at the seminar 'Institutionalised Children: Seminar on Standards of Care and Mental Health" at Amity University, NCR, India, organised by Udayan Care with a host of partners and sponsors.

This journal aims to expand and enhance knowledge about children who have been institutionalised. Such children are often at risk with the law and are subjected to leading marginalised existences. This journal will attempt to address limitations in the research, knowledge, and counselling practices currently prevalent in working with institutionalised children.

ICEB will have original research, reviews, commentaries, editorials, essays, correspondence, and supplementary and additional content (including abstracts, where appropriate) to enhance knowledge about this field. The language of use would be English.

MISSION OF THE JOURNAL

To conscientiously and with responsibility, appraise, evaluate, and commission research and studies that impact and have bearing on the lives of children, who are in institutions – orphanages, observation homes and others, in South Asian countries; and to develop a dialogue on existing systems, and possible adaptations, which will lead to an improvement in their quality of life, thus influencing their becoming responsible young adults.

VISION OF THE JOURNAL

To make available a platform for consistent sharing of information, knowledge enhancement and the development of a dialogue and debate amongst professionals, policy makers, and volunteers working for institutionalised children, about best practices, research findings and studies, legislation, jurisprudence and case law, in relation to such children's mental health, social development, care and upbringing in alternative modes of institutional care in SAARC countries.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

To expand and enhance knowledge about children who have been institutionalised. Such children are often at risk with the law and often are subjected to leading marginalised existences. This journal will attempt to address limitations in the research, knowledge and counselling practices currently prevalent in working with institutionalized children.

There is scope for a lot more work to be done on the problems of children who are institutionalised through being destitute: orphans, abandoned, abused or runaways. There are also children who are at risk with law. ICEB sees itself as a forum for studies, discussions, debates and research on issues that would lead to the integration of such children into the mainstream and thus to their inclusion in civil society.

The focus on inclusion is reflected in children with disabilities being included in all efforts of enabling and where necessary, restoring children to a fulfilled life. ICEB would open out debate and discussion on such children. This would significantly influence the quality of life of these children in SAARC countries.

The law in respect to the well being of children is constantly evolving and older laws are being revised and superior newer laws are coming into force. There is very little scope for discussion amongst professionals and caregivers of the impact of such laws and amendments thereto. ICEB would also seek to encourage debate and discussions as well as reviews of existing and forthcoming laws. It would also explore areas where laws could be necessary.

The scope would include encouraging studies on these issues by including universities and hospitals, together with clinics; young professionals and those in the field of care giving, especially in the non-governmental not-for-profit-sector.

At a later stage, ICEB would enable continuing education in dealing with institutionalised children and in re-establishing positive mental well-being practices.

The belief is that such education and sharing of knowledge and experience would lead to more dynamic prevention models as well as rehabilitation models.

ICEB would aim at publishing original research, important reprints, reviews, commentaries, editorials, essays, correspondence, and supplementary and additional content (including abstracts, where appropriate) to enhance knowledge about this field. The language of use would be English.

What would it include?

ICEB will include the following:

• Letters to the Editor
• In-depth interview of an individual who has done a prominent work with institutionalised and abandoned children. The interview will be conducted by an Editorial Board member
• Unpublished Manuscripts from individuals who conduct research with orphaned and abandoned children and those in need of protective care. The section will provide for scholarly literary input on various topics related to the population under consideration
• To give breadth and depth to our journal, a paper with a significant international perspective will also be published in each issue. These papers will be solicited from authors outside the SAARC region, whose research focus, literary investigation and the exploration of innovative and alternative care models contributes significantly to the field in general
• An article presenting 'good practice' will be selected to provide a comprehensive review of how institutional care is provided in different settings
• Published Manuscripts that have already been published elsewhere but are deemed to contribute significantly to the subject under consideration. (Authors wishing to submit already published manuscripts must obtain permission or give us permission to contact the publishers to obtain the necessary rights to publish their paper)
• Book and movie reviews addressing issues related to orphan care and orphan hood and which focuses on the portrayal of orphans respectively
• Brief communications which will consist of briefings on a particular topic related to institutionalised children whether it is a new law, new policy, new practice, conference, seminar, workshop, or anything relevant to the particular topic. In all this section will not take more than two to three pages. Some of these could even serve as a precursor for future journal topic considerations

PERIODICITY

The Journal will be published six monthly, first in spring and thereafter in fall. The first issue, entitled 'Institutionalised Children: Explorations and Beyond' in South Asian countries has been released on March 14th, 2014, at Amity University, NOIDA, India. The second issue is slated for September 2014 release.

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: "Articles published by the Journal: "Institutionalised Children: Explorations and Beyond" (ICEB) reflect the views of the author alone and not necessarily those of Udayan Care or of the ICEB."