Mysore/Mysuru: The Department of Social Work, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre (PBMMEC)- PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, KRS Road, Mysuru, had organised a 4-day International Webinar on ‘Recent Trends in Community Development’ from July 6 to 9.

Dr. C.K. Renukarya, Director of PBMMEC, a renowned economist and Professor, delivered the inaugural address. He briefly highlighted on the importance and the role of social workers in developing a community at the grassroot level.  The keynote address was given by Pradipta Kadambari, Senator – Purbanchal University & Principal – Kadambari Memorial College, Nepal.

The webinar provided the students an opportunity to learn about community camp which due to the pandemic could not be conducted. 

The first session on ‘Development Programmes: A Community Perspective’ had some eminent speakers like Rev. Fr. Dr. M.K. Joseph, Associate Professor,  Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, who spoke on the origin and history of community development in India and abroad.

Second speaker was Dr. Chandramouli, Asst. Professor and Chairperson, DoS in Social Work, University of Mysore (UoM), who enlightened the participants on the various programmes related to community development. 

The third speaker was Rev. Fr. Dr. Norby Paul, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Work, Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He spoke about socialisation and social isolation. 

The final speaker of the day was D. Premajyothi, Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Work, PBMMEC, who educated the delegates on the steps to be achieved towards attaining sustainable development goals in the community.

The second session on ‘Community Mental Health, Hygiene and Pollution’ was started off by Dr. Suman K. Murthy, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, PBMMEC, who spoke extensively on ‘Community Mental Health in Times of Pandemic COVID-19.’ Mahesh Chandra Guru, Director at Vikasana Institute of Rural and Urban Development, Mandya, threw light upon various issues in the community related to environmental hygiene.

In the third session on ‘People’s Participation in Community Development,’ a panel discussion was held. The panellists were Dr. Jose Antony, Head, Dept. of Social Work, Sree Shankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala; Dr. Chandramouli, Assistant Professor and Chairperson, DoS in Social Work, UoM and Chikkalingaiah, Project Officer, Careworks Foundation, Bengaluru. The session was moderated by Dr. Sangeetha R. Mane, Professor & Chairperson, Dept. of Social Work, Karnatak University, Dharwad. The third day was entirely dedicated to the fourth session on ‘Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques.’ C.C. Pavate, Director, Mithra Counselling Centre, Tumakuru, explained the techniques in an elaborate manner with suitable examples.

On the last day of the webinar, the fifth session concentrated on ‘Community Development: The Way Forward,’ elaborating upon two major areas: Career Opportunities and Research Avenues.

Dr. H.R. Chandrashekhara, Faculty, Department of Social Work, Bangalore Central University, Bengaluru, clearly explained to the participants the various career opportunities available in the community ranging from Governmental to non-Governmental organisations within the State and the nation and those abroad.

Dr. TBBSV Ramannaiah, retd. Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Mysore, spoke on research avenues in community development. The webinar saw participants from across the globe — Afghanistan, Australia, Finland, Gambia, Nepal, UAE, USA, Canada and India.