Crescent Sustainability Initiatives
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
Advancing SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions at Crescent School of Law, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology
The Crescent School of Law of B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and TEchnology has made significant strides in promoting Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which focuses on fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions. This commitment is exemplified through various initiatives aimed at enhancing legal literacy, providing access to justice, and engaging with the community.
Establishment of the Legal Services Clinic
On October 16, 2023, the Crescent Legal Aid Committee launched a Legal Services Clinic, approved by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). This clinic aims to provide free legal aid to underprivileged and marginalized communities, while also offering practical training opportunities for law students. Operating under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) guidelines, the clinic ensures confidentiality and maintains comprehensive case records, thereby significantly improving access to justice.
Crescent Legal Aid Cell: A Community Hub
The Crescent Legal Aid Cell serves as a vital resource for local community members, providing free legal assistance and fostering awareness about legal rights. By bridging the gap between academic resources and public needs, the cell exemplifies the university’s dedication to social justice and community empowerment. The initiative emphasizes the transformative power of legal aid, ensuring that justice is accessible to all.
Crescent Legal Aid Cell
“Empowering Communities, Ensuring Justice”
Crescent Legal Aid Cell believe in the transformative power of Legal Aid, operating under the esteemed Crescent School of Law, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai. We are committed to social justice, providing accessible legal assistance, fostering awareness, and making a positive impact in the lives of individuals and communities in need.
Crescent Legal Aid Cell serves as a beacon of hope, bridging the gap between justice and those in need. Our dedicated team of passionate faculty members, skilled lawyers, and compassionate student volunteers works tirelessly to ensure that justice is not a privilege, but a right for all. With a focus on promoting social justice, we strive to empower individuals and create a more equitable society.
This legal awareness programme exemplifies Crescent School of Law’s commitment to promoting legal knowledge and community involvement, demonstrating the institution’s dedication to providing open access to educational resources and facilities to the wider community. The law school’s campus facilities, including its moot court hall, legal aid clinic, and library resources, were made freely accessible to local community members during this initiative, breaking down barriers between academic institutions and the public.
The proactive measures taken by the students in preparing and disseminating educational materials significantly enhanced the outreach of the programme, while utilizing the institution’s state-of-the-art facilities. The law school’s commitment to public engagement is evident through its policy of opening campus spaces for community learning, including providing access to:
- Legal databases and digital resources
- Conference facilities for public workshops
- Library services for community research
- Meeting rooms for legal consultations
- Computer laboratories for digital literacy
By empowering the local community with knowledge, resources, and unrestricted access to campus facilities, this initiative marks a successful effort in fostering a culture of vigilance and legal awareness. The programme showcases how educational institutions can serve as community hubs, making their facilities and expertise available to the public, thereby contributing to lifelong learning opportunities and educational equity.
Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives
The university has actively engaged with the community through various educational programs:
- Legal Awareness Program for Women: A comprehensive initiative provided approximately 50 women from the nearby Keerapakkam village with essential knowledge on critical legal issues, including domestic violence and property rights. The program was designed to be inclusive, offering free transportation and utilizing innovative teaching methods to enhance understanding.
- Legal Literacy Awareness Programme at Aksheyaa College: This program attracted around 500 participants and utilized drama and mime performances to illustrate human rights issues, fostering a deeper understanding of legal concepts among attendees.
- Anti-Corruption Awareness Programme: Held on November 2, 2023, this initiative educated the public about the negative impacts of corruption and provided guidance on reporting mechanisms, further promoting community engagement.
- Public Event in New Delhi: During an educational trip, law students distributed informational materials on consumer rights and labor laws, enhancing legal literacy among diverse audiences.
1. Legal Awareness Program for Women
The B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (BSACIST) has actively promoted lifelong learning and community engagement through public educational events. One notable initiative was a comprehensive legal awareness program for women from the nearby village. This event, titled “Legal Education Outreach: Bridging Legal Knowledge with Community Needs,” provided approximately 50 women with essential knowledge on critical legal issues such as domestic violence, property rights, dowry-related matters, and sexual assault. The university ensured accessibility by hosting the event in its Seminar Hall-I and offering free transportation to participants, highlighting its commitment to inclusivity.
B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (BSACIST) has significantly promoted lifelong learning through community engagement by hosting public educational events. A notable initiative involved a comprehensive legal awareness program tailored specifically for women from the nearby Keerapakkam village. This event demonstrated the university’s commitment to making legal education accessible while addressing the community’s pressing needs. By opening its doors to approximately 50 women, BSACIST provided invaluable knowledge and bridged the gap between academic institutions and local populations, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning in empowering individuals.
Educational content during the program was thoughtfully curated to address critical legal issues facing women, such as domestic violence, property rights, dowry-related matters, and sexual assault. The university effectively conveyed complex legal concepts that engaged the audience and fostered better comprehension by employing innovative methodologies, such as student-performed skits. This interactive format not only made the information more relatable but also encouraged participation, ensuring that the attendees left with a meaningful understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of this initiative is the university’s commitment to providing ongoing support through free legal consultancy services. This sustainable approach transforms the educational event into a continuous resource for women seeking legal guidance, extending the program’s benefits beyond a single day of learning. The model established by BSACIST exemplifies how universities can play a vital role in community development, empowering individuals through knowledge sharing and practical support. Such initiatives fulfil the institution’s educational mission and lay the groundwork for more robust, informed communities, underscoring the essential role of lifelong learning in fostering societal progress.
Engaging with the community: Law students educating on Legal Awareness
2. Enhancing Legal Literacy: A Successful Awareness Programme at Aksheyaa College
On November 28, 2022, the Crescent Legal Aid Committee organized a Legal Literacy Awareness Programme at Aksheyaa College of Arts and Science, focusing on the theme “Preventing Violations and Strengthening Protection of Human Rights.” The initiative aimed to educate students and faculty about their legal rights and responsibilities while raising awareness of human rights issues through engaging and innovative methods.
The programme attracted around 500 participants, including students from various disciplines and faculty members. It featured captivating drama and mime performances by students from Crescent School of Law, which illustrated real-life scenarios related to human rights violations. These creative expressions not only captured the audience’s attention but also facilitated a deeper understanding of complex legal concepts. Following the performances, interactive discussions and workshops were held, allowing participants to explore the topics further and gain practical knowledge about identifying human rights violations and understanding legal remedies.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing that the programme made legal concepts more relatable and relevant to their daily lives. Participants felt empowered to recognize and address human rights issues within their communities. Overall, the Legal Literacy Awareness Programme was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of legal literacy in fostering informed and responsible citizens. The Crescent Legal Aid Committee extends its gratitude to Aksheyaa College’s management, faculty, and students for their contributions to this impactful event.
3. Empowering Communities: A Legal Aid Awareness Programme Against Corruption
On November 2, 2023, the Crescent Legal Aid Committee hosted a significant legal awareness programme at the Vandalur Bus Stop, aligning with Vigilance Awareness Week. Themed “Empowering Communities to Combat Corruption,” the initiative aimed to educate the public about the detrimental effects of corruption and provide guidance on effective reporting mechanisms.
The programme’s objectives included raising awareness about the negative impacts of corruption, explaining safe reporting procedures, and encouraging community engagement. Key activities featured the distribution of informative pamphlets created by students, which outlined how to identify corruption and the steps necessary for reporting it. Additionally, the event facilitated direct interactions between students and community members, fostering a two-way exchange of information and addressing public concerns regarding corruption.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the valuable information shared. This initiative not only highlighted the importance of legal literacy but also demonstrated the Crescent School of Law’s commitment to community involvement and empowerment. By equipping the local community with knowledge and resources to combat corruption, the programme marked a successful step towards fostering a culture of vigilance and legal awareness. The Crescent Legal Aid Committee plans to continue organizing similar initiatives to further support and educate the community on legal matters.
4. Promoting Legal Literacy: A Successful Awareness Programme in New Delhi
On November 2, 2023, the Crescent Legal Aid Committee organized a noteworthy Legal Awareness Programme during an educational trip to New Delhi. The initiative aimed to enhance legal literacy among the public by educating them about fundamental laws and their rights and responsibilities. This event was designed to empower individuals within the community, fostering a well-informed populace capable of effectively exercising their legal rights.
Key activities of the programme included the distribution of informational notices by final-year B.A., LL.B (Hons.) students, which covered essential topics such as consumer rights, labor laws, and civil rights. To maximize outreach, the students communicated in both English and Hindi, ensuring that the information was accessible to a diverse audience. Additionally, interactive sessions encouraged public engagement, allowing attendees to ask questions and clarify doubts regarding legal issues, thus promoting a supportive community atmosphere.
The programme received positive feedback from participants, many of whom expressed gratitude for the valuable insights gained and a desire for more such initiatives in the future. Overall, the Crescent Legal Aid Committee’s efforts during this trip significantly contributed to promoting legal literacy in the region, highlighting the importance of ongoing legal education and outreach in building an informed society.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
| 4 to 5 | There is significant progress in effective implementation compared to the previous year |
| 3 to 4 | The necessary processes/activities (University governance measures, Stakeholder engagement, University principles on corruption and bribery, Working with government, Graduates in law and civil enforcement) have been implemented |
| 2 to 3 | There is an explicit plan to address the ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ and necessitated processes have been initiated |
| 1 to 2 | There is an understanding and willingness to contribute effectively for achieving the UN targets of SDG 16 |
| 0 to 1 | There is no/partial willingness and plan to contribute for achieving the UN targets of SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions |
Please find the Report: SDG ACCORD REPORT
