A learning-and-sharing event on localising Sustainable Development Goals-6 (SDG-6), placing community at the centre of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) response, was organised by the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) here on Thursday.
The event brought together multi-stakeholders and WASH practitioners from 20 civil society organisations(CSOs) from across eight States, who are part of the Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA) to deliberate on model practices in community engagement being implemented across 67 wards in Bhubaneswar by the CFAR.
In her keynote address, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das highlighted the efforts of the State Government and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to make Bhubaneswar an inclusive and livable city for all citizens, including marginal communities.
“As part of the Jaga Mission, 200 slums have been upgraded as Biju Adarsh Colonies. The Government has developed infrastructure in collaboration with the slum development associations to make the process participatory and inclusive,” she said.
BMC Additional Commissioner Lakshmi Kanta Sethi said that Governments cannot succeed without the cooperation of CSOs and community.
CFAR executive director Akhila Sivadas said that the vulnerable groups should raise their voice to strengthen their involvement and participation in all planning and monitoring processes for slum up-gradation and redevelopment.
Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary Jayashree Raghunandan underscored the need for a convergence across different sectors.
Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj Project Lead RSN Sharma shared the innovative efforts made for localising SDGs by using ‘Swachha Grahis’ as change agents and strengthening the village development committees and WASH Committees.
National Deputy Director Juhi Jain and State Lead Samir Ranjan Dash coordinated the event.