Through joint table-top exercises, criminal justice practitioners from nine agencies in Maldives enhanced their counter-terrorism coordination skills and information-sharing capacities, strengthening the national responses to potential terrorist threats. Discussions covered critical areas such as inter-agency cooperation, the investigation of terrorist incidents, and the handling of complex issues like returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters, false and misleading information on terrorist incidents, and terrorism financing.
39 Principals from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across India participated in a RiseUp4Peace dialogue, held as part of a four-day capacity-building program hosted by the National Centre for School Leadership (NCLS), National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Government of India in New Delhi. Participants engaged in open discussions and hands-on activities designed to strengthen educational approaches for fostering peace, inclusion, and well-being in schools. Exchanging insights and experiences, principals gained fresh perspectives on ways to guide students not only academically but as well-rounded individuals with emotional resilience and ethical grounding.
A multi-stakeholder inception meeting of the Family United Programme facilitated critical discussions among various partners on evidence-based strategies for preventing drug use and negative social outcomes by fostering sup-portive environments within homes. The Family United Programme centers on practical skill-building for parents and caregivers, covering strategies to enhance communication, manage conflicts peacefully, and nurture positive discipline, fostering a home atmosphere where young people feel safe and valued.
Extending support to UNODC's RiseUp4Peace initiative, 118 Principals, educators and students from 31 schools in Haryana assembled at Delhi Public School, Faridabad, to explore new educational approaches for a resilient generation. Participants exchanged insights and reflected on core themes affecting young people today: mental health, online safety, ethical decision-making, gender equality and inclusion. Educators worked closely with students, forming mixed groups to tackle issues like peer pressure, gender-based violence, substance use and cyberbullying.
In Madhya Pradesh, over 200 educators and 800 students united to support UNODC's RiseUp4Peace initiative through a series of hands-on workshops held in collaboration with the Ratlam Public School. Discussions emphasized the urgent need for grassroots education that fosters peace, lawfulness, and inclusion, with educators reflecting onb ways to foster socio-emotional resilience among students. In an effort to bridge divides, educators and students were also engaged at the Government Excellence Higher Secondary School in Ujjain and the Shasakiya Madhyamik Vidyalaya Ghodapalla in the Shivgarh village of Sailana.
50 educators from 12 schools in Mumbai gained knowledge and strategies to foster student resilience and integrity, equipping young minds to overcome challenges like peer pressure, mental health issues, and online risks. The workshops emphasized practical approaches for integrating peace and inclusion into everyday learning. Active involvement of students enriched the discussions. They candidly shared personal experiences related to peer pressure, mental health challenges, and instances of gender-based violence.
Principals and teachers from 16 schools in Ghaziabad explored classroom strategies that nurture peace, inclusion, and empathy at a RiseUp4Peace workshop held in collaboration with the Indirapuram Public School. Excessive digital exposure and mental health emerged as central themes affecting students. Educators discussed ways to nurture this quality, from organizing peer support groups to encouraging discussions on ethics and social justice with story-based activities.
A dissemination workshop conducted in collaboration with Bangladesh Police empowered 40 high-and mid-level police officers from various units with actionable insights to enhance community and beat police strategies in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. Discussions focused on ways to cultivate a shared commitment among law enforcement to prioritize community engagement.
A national workshop on non-custodial measures (NCM) equipped over 50 criminal justice actors with actionable strategies to effectively implement alternatives to imprisonment with the aim of reducing prison overcrowding. Knowledge and skills were enhanced with an aim to institutionalize NCM practices, ultimately fostering a more rehabilitative and efficient justice system in the country.
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Canada
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Joint UN Program Fund
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF/UNAIDS
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice and Health in South AsiaUNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-Building law enforcement capacities against drugs and organised crime
-Addressing drug use and HIV/AIDS -Enhancing multi-stakeholder responses to counter Trafficking in Persons -Engaging young people and educators on crime prevention, integrity, Global Goals and peace with educational interventions
-Promoting family skills to reduce risky behaviours among young people -Countering corruption -Addressing Gender-based Violence
-Strengthening responses to prevent and counter wildlife crime
-Countering cybercrime and promoting online safety
We seek activesupport to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
To know more, please contact:
Mr. Samarth Pathak
Communications Officer
UNODC Regional Office for South Asia
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org Cellphone: +91-9811347927
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
Contact Us
C-97 (Ground Floor), Defence Colony, New Delhi-110024, India
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
