| Accreditation to: |
Conference of States Parties
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| Affiliation with other organizations: |
CEDEM is a members of FI-CEMEA (FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DES CENTRES D’ENTRAÎNEMENT AUX MÉTHODES D’ÉDUCATION ACTIVE) which is a movement of people engaged in practice around the values and principles of the new and active pedagogic methods to transform communities and institutions by putting in action of individuals through training. Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS) As an umbrella organization for NGOs, MACOSS seeks to promote social and community development and voluntary actions through non-governmental organisations. National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (NCRD) which is a parastatal body under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions. The Council has an advisory, brokerage and coordinating role. It has consultative status on matters relating on disability, advising the Government on policy issues. National Children's Council (NCC) is under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare.It operates under the National Children’s Council Act 2003 with the objective of protecting the rights of children , promote their interest and well-being and ensure their participation in matters of interest to them and promoting activities for the welfare of children in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. |
| Publications: |
CEDEM's activities and advocacy is regularly published in the local and regional newspapers. |
| Purpose of the organization: |
The main aim of the organisation is to give all children an equal opportunity to have access to quality education and hence a better future. CEDEM has been working for the welfare of children victims of abuse and children with disabilities for the past 30 years through its specialised schools and residential care centres and the focus has remained the same. The organisation is actively involved in advocacy for the welfare and rights of children, especially those victims of abuse and those with disabilities. |
| Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: |
CEDEM carries out sensitization talks throughout the island on the issue of disability. CEDEM does regular advocacy to the government. The organisation has participated in UN Conferences (Geneva 2014) CEDEM, since its foundation, has militated for equality in education regardless of a child's physical and mental limitations. Currently, the organisation runs two Specialised Schools comprising of: Early Childhood Development Programme (ECDP) “Think Big for the Little Ones!” is the motto that guides our educational interventions with the children of the ECDP. This section currently welcomes 34 children, aged between 3 and 9 years. Our ECDP aims at providing every child with a good start in life. Along with pre-academic instruction, our interactive pedagogy includes music, dance, corporal expression, songs, sports, creative arts, educational outings, puppet shows and various therapies. Special Schools (Primary and Secondary) Our educational programme, irrespective of the section level, is based on an inclusive approach, group and individual methods and an interactive and dynamic pedagogy. The classrooms consists of children having mild to moderate mental retardation, physical disabilities, behavioural and emotional difficulties, moderate to profound learning difficulties as well as some pervasive developmental disorders within the autistic spectrum. Aged between 10 and 14 years, there are currently a total of 82 students in this section. The secondary specialised section uses an adapted and more advanced pedagogy to minimise school maladjustment for a current group of 31 students aged between 15 and 20 years. Along with academic instruction in subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Information Technology, the students are also taught life skills like cooking, craftwork, woodwork, sewing among others for a period of five years. Most of them become autonomous adults at the end of this programme. CEDEM also provides respite care for the parents of children with disabilities. As a part of the Residential Care Centres, CEDEM accommodates children with mental and physical impairment. |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
The Director of the organisation is widely solicited as a consultant of disability and child rights issues around the around as well as in the Indian Ocean islands. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
Miss Aarthi Burtony - President- Mauritian Mrs Marie Agnes Perrumall Ramdin- Vice President- Mauritian Mrs Hemabye Babajee- Secretary- Mauritian Miss Asha Cauleechurn - Assistant Secretary- Mauritian Miss Samila Hossenbux - Treasurer - Mauritian Mrs Deeya Paleressompoulle - Assistant Treasurer- Mauritian Mrs Marjorie Eole - Committee Member- Mauritian Mrs Suneeta Dookhee - Committee Member - Mauritian |
| Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: |
Membership of the Organisation is open to any person of the age of 18 and over. Subject to paragraph 3; a minor may, with written consent of his/her responsible party, be admitted as a member of the Association after its registration. No minor shall be appointed to the Managing Committee, or as an officer, of the Association. The members shall on admission pay an entrance fee of two hundred (200) rupees and a monthly subscription of fifty (50) rupees. Application for membership shall be made in writing and addressed to the Secretary. The decision to accept or to reject any application for membership rests with the Managing Committee which shall assign no reason for such decision. Total number of members: 25 |
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