children parliament
Edwin M John
About Edwin Maria John
- Address: Clergy Home, Vetturnimadam, Tamil Nadu, India – 629003
- Email: edwinmjohn@gmail.com, neighbouroc@gmail.com
- Phone: +91-9442648224
Profile
Edwin Maria John is a visionary leader who has dedicated his life to empowering communities and fostering grassroots governance. His pioneering initiatives have promoted child-led organizations, community empowerment, and innovative governance models. His efforts have received global recognition, transforming lives and advocating for social change.
Key Achievements
- Neighborhood-Based Participatory Structures (1977-1988): Implemented participatory structures in coastal villages of southern India to foster community responsibility and collaboration.
- United Nations Engagements:
- Addressed the UN Round Table on Good Governance, New York (April 2007)
- Spoke at the UN Civil Society Forum on Universal Inclusion (February 2010)
- Children’s Parliaments:
- Organized the Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry State Parliament of Children, awarded the UN-San Marino Alexander Bodini Award for child rights action (2009).
- Global Training and Advocacy: Conducted programs on inclusive neighborhood parliaments for children across South Africa, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, the United States, and various European nations.
- Neighbourocracy Movement: Developed “neighbourocracy,” a model for governance-from-below, to promote peace and multi-tiered neighborhood parliaments for community empowerment.
Additional Roles
- Director, South Asian Religious News (1982-1986): Led a news agency focused on religious and social news in South Asia.
- Editor, Health Action Magazine: Edited a monthly publication dedicated to health activism during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Founding Contributions
Edwin has established several influential organizations aimed at fostering participatory governance, health, and community empowerment:
- Kodimunai Integral Development Society (1979): Facilitates participatory governance in rural communities.
- Editaids (1984): Established in New Delhi for print media consultancy and training.
- Voluntary Health Association of Kanyakumari (VHAK) (1994): Formed over 3,500 neighborhood groups of women in Kanyakumari District.
- Neighbourhood Community Network (NCN) (1999): Promotes community-based governance, founded in Hyderabad.
Educational Background
- Master’s in Journalism from the University of the Philippines (1975-77)
- Studies in Philosophy and Theology (1962-69)
Publications
Edwin has authored books and training modules in Tamil and English on Neighborhood Parliaments, Children’s Parliaments, and community organization. His latest book, Hello, Neighbourocracy! (2021), explores grassroots governance models for peace and empowerment.
Meet the people behind
| Photo | Name | Designation | Address | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | M. R. RAVI SANKAR | President | #5/19 Ramamandir Street, Penukonda – 515110, Anantapur Dist., A.P. | 9392444251 |
| Naina Ajoy Athalye | Vice President | Near IDBI Bank, C-102, Blue Hills Society, Nagar Road, Yerwada, Pune City, Pune, Maharashtra – 411 006 | 9892233736 | |
| V. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy | Joint Secretary | 209, JPN Nagar, Miyapur, Hyderabad, 500049 | 9989311311 | |
| Xavier John Bosco | Treasurer | Citra 12-1-334/17/1, Lalapet, Secunderabad-500017 | 9490118333 | |
| Baljeet Kaur | Member, Executive Committee | Mukkam Katarkhadak, Post Khamboli, Taluka Mulshi, Jilha Pune, Pirangut, Pune, Mulshi, Maharashtra – 412 115 | 9834080421 | |
| John Vattamattom Member | Member, Executive Committee | 1-8-11 / 1 / A, Arnold Bhavan, Street, No-8, Ravindra Nagar Colony, Habsiguda, Secunderabad, Telangana – 500 007 | 9849452732 |
Testimonials
I have been thinking about the need for such structures for quite a long time. My next campaign is for neighbourhood parliaments.
It is not only for the children to learn the art of governance to apply in the future when they grow but to govern now itself when they are children. Children also have the right to participate in the process of governance when they are children and we can even deprive them of this right
