For Colleges
Catalyse - Citizenship Workshops for Youth-Led Transformative Action
CMCA’s interventions don’t end at the school level. We believe it is important to engage with young adults, who are just beginning their careers with college, and more importantly, who now have the right to vote. As college students, these young people can perhaps engage with aspects of democracy, government, rights and responsibilities, diversity and equality, and environmental conservation in greater depth.
The importance of citizenship skills
- SDG 4 Quality Education directs to ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development – human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity.
- NAAC recognises institutions that promote skills for holistic development. It especially recognizes initiatives on Gender Equity and Constitutional Values.
- NEP 2020 lays emphasis on development of “higher-order” capacities along with cognitive abilities. It gives importance to skills like scientific temper, critical thinking, citizenship skills and values that should be learned by all students.
Catalyse
Catalyse consists of impactful workshops that facilitate social responsibility and good citizenry among the student community. Interactive and experiential sessions help young people explore and practice concepts of equity, diversity, inclusivity, and active citizenship. The underlying theme is to instil a sense of belonging to a wider community and understanding that our well-being is linked to the well-being of others.
Each workshop engages with young people through the principles of constructive learning. At CMCA we believe that students imbibe the lessons in a more permanent and comprehensive way when the methods of learning are experiential. The workshops thus provide an interactive, engaging experience through role plays, games, group activities, discussions, and similar pedagogical tools. Students are also encouraged to complete an experiential project which involves participants completing a series of activities in between sessions.
Catalyse workshops are two hours long, each covering a different topic. The following themes are dealt with in these workshops:
- Your voice and active citizenship
- Leading successful change initiatives
- Breaking the gender bias
- Awareness of gender-based violence
- Celebrating India’s culture of fusion
- Practicing the value of integrity
- Cultivating critical thinking
- A concluding 1-hour reflection session helps participants develop a clear way forward, helping them to apply what they learnt in CMCA sessions.
Programme Snapshot
- For all college students – undergraduate to postgraduate
- A series of 2-hour-long workshops covering a variety of topics related to Democracy and Citizenship
- 1 hour reflection + 1 experiential project
- Reading material and simple activities as home assignments
- Encourages college students to act towards securing rights and carrying out responsibilities
How It Works / What CMCA Will Provide
The CMCA Catalyse programme is designed to be flexible. The Catalyse Core module includes three thematic sessions, one hour of reflection, and one experiential project. For those who would like to explore active citizenship themes further, we offer five additional sessions as part of the Catalyse Plus module. You can decide which themes you want us to cover for your students.
All we need from a college is:
- A class of 30 enthusiastic students
- A Faculty Coordinator from the college staff
- A classroom and audio-visual equipment as and when required
- And a firm belief in young people’s willingness, courage, and agency for change!
Testimonials from Our Students
Yash Goyal, Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Goa
The workshops were the best mix of perfect interaction between the facilitators and the students and a crisp presentation. The content and the way it was shared were just brilliant, the facilitator was always able to hold my attention throughout the session. I never missed a CMCA class. I just wish we had more such workshops!
Huda Fathima, NMKRV PU College for Women, Bengaluru
The workshop was very good and informative; it was not boring like other classes! I could take part in the discussion and express my point of view without restraint. Your facilitators were very friendly. I myself would like to conduct a workshop; it is fun and helpful to others. I didn't feel like coming to college today, but I am so glad I did it, the workshop was amazing!
Accreditation by Credibility Alliance
CMCA has been accredited by Credibility Alliance under the category “Desirability Norms” – for good governance, accountability, transparency and continuous improvements. Credibility Alliance is a consortium of voluntary organisations committed to enhancing accountability and transparency in the voluntary sector through good governance.