A view of the participants during a life skills development programme held in Dimapur on November 13.
Dimapur, November 15 (MExN): The ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA), Don Bosco, Dimapur, conducted a life skills development programme for 226 students and a stakeholder engagement event on sustainability on November 12 and 13, respectively, under Phase 2 of the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI-2) in Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
On November 12, AIDA organised a life skills development programme on the theme "Academic Success and Personal Development" for 226 students, comprising 110 girls and 116 boys, from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School and Evershine High School in Dimapur.
The sessions covered self-discipline, time management, goal setting, positive thinking, self-confidence, decision-making, concentration and effective study habits.
The programme was facilitated by Children Mobiliser Officers Toli Z Asumi and Livi Lea, along with Civil Society Mobiliser Officers William Kullu and Livino S Zhim, from the CFCI Phase 2 project team.
Through interactive discussions, practical activities and experience-sharing, students were encouraged to recognise their potential, overcome challenges, develop positive habits and take responsibility for their learning and future aspirations.
On November 13, AIDA organised a stakeholder engagement event for sustainability at its conference hall in Dimapur under the theme "Towards Sustainable Child-Friendly Communities Through Collective Action".
Addressing the gathering, AIDA Executive Director Rev Fr Dr Roy George, SDB, highlighted the importance and relevance of CFCI Phase 2, particularly in the growing urban centres of Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
Lanthou Mark Gonmei presented an overview of CFCI Phase 2, outlining its objectives, key intervention areas and annual events and activity plan for 2026–2029.
Civil Society Mobiliser Officer William Kullu briefed the participants on the objectives of the engagement, stressing the importance of stakeholder ownership, collaboration and concrete commitments towards ensuring sustainability.
During the discussions that followed, participants deliberated on the proposed 2026 activity plan and agreed to organise a Child Rights Convention and a Community Fair (Mela) on Children's Rights in December 2026.
The discussions also underscored the need to place children's participation at the centre of the initiative, strengthen existing institutional and community mechanisms rather than create parallel structures, and ensure continuity through stakeholder commitments and collective action.
The Child-Friendly Cities Initiative Phase 2 is a rights-based development project implemented by AIDA, Don Bosco, in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts of Nagaland, in partnership with the Don Bosco National Forum for the Young at Risk (DB YaR), New Delhi, with support from Don Bosco Mondo e.V., Germany.
