ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Institute of Development Education, Action and Studies
Founded in 1984 at Madurai, IDEAS (Institute of Development, Education, Action and Studies) has been playing a significant role as Regional Resource Centre for Dalits, Women, and Unorganized Labourers and for various other stakeholders supporting their cause. In Course of time, a few other specific groups also became the Institute’s core mission concerns: Sri Lanka Tamil Repatriates working as bonded labourers in the commercial forests of Kodaikanal Hills, Tamil Refugees from Sri Lanka, Dalit Catholics in TN Church, Arunthathiyars, Puthirai Vannars, Palaiyar and Pulayar Tribes on Kodai Hills and the Nomadic Tribes in the plains. Facilitating the empowerment of these marginalized groups in order to enable them access and enjoy their constitutional and human rights is the short-term goal and the removal of the existing unjust social order in view of establishing an egalitarian and humane society is the long-term goal of the Institute.
HISTORY
Current trends of the fast track corporatization of the market and the state, the virulent religion-cultural nationalistic politics, increasing rate of discrimination and atrocities against Dalits, women and children, today the institute has turned its lens in a new direction: socio-political, legal and economic capacitation and empowerment of Dalit Women, Women facing Violence, Widows and Manual Scavenging Workers. Challenges posed to democracy and secularism today is another important area of concern.
Top on the list of activities is the Training Programmes for people’s movements/organization conducted in and outside the Institute on a wide range of themes covering socio-cultural analysis, leadership skills, legal literacy, patriarchy and gender rights, the status of Dalit Catholics, etc. Besides Issue Involvement through legal information, guidance and judicial interventions, Research & Publications for advocacy purposes is another important activity. Seminars and Workshops enable teachers, NGOs, cadres and leaders of people’s movements to develop their communication skills, acquire media education and learn social video production skills. The institute’s Knowledge Services include library facilities and e-documentation despatch on current social issues.
Collaboration with Jesuit Madurai Province social action centres and other institutions, with national Jesuit social centres and with Church agencies involved social action expands the institute’s scope of activity.
Given that the achievements of the past 30 years are indeed a powerful testimony to what the institute had envisioned, done and impacted, the decades to come offer it newer challenges to serve the marginalised with deeper commitment and greater vigour.
Vision - Mission
Vision
Building a Just and Humane Society characterised by respect for human rights, inclusiveness, secularism, gender equality and ecological integrity.
Mission
IDEAS enables the empowerment of Dalits, indigenous peoples, women, minorities and other marginalised groups, animates and supports their movements, and intervenes in their issues and state policies, promoting rights perspective in partnership with secular and democratic forces.
STRATEGIC GOALS
IDEAS would have capacitated leaders, cadre and women of marginalised people’s movements and their supporters in advocacy and lobbying skills.
Significant number of Dalit women movements will emerge either as autonomous organization or as separate wings of existing movements.
Coordination among marginalized people’s movements would have qualitatively improved for substantive mainstream developmental and political participation.
BROAD STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- Strengthening trainings to build capacities of movement cadre and to form movement cadre.
- Facilitating movements for advocacy and lobbying on critical issues including policy and legislative implementation or change.
- Strengthening action oriented research, documentation and publication based on issues emerging from people’s movements.
- Supporting movements to come together to build common platforms of action.
Administration
People who work to better the lives of so many
Michael Raj, SJ
Dr. Sahaya Philomin Raj, SJ
Yesu Raja Raju, SJ
Ms Jenova Mary
