Student leaders from Catholic colleges across Andhra Pradesh have devised various programs to better understand and address social issues.

This was the outcome of an orientation camp in Anandajyoti, Guntur, organized by the All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF), a Jesuit-initiated national organization for college students.

Federation members from a Jesuit college plan to promote environmental issues by encouraging fellow students not to use motor vehicles on the campus.

Their counterparts at two women’s colleges plan to visit homes for the elderly and prisons regularly to assure people there that society still cares for them. They also plan to travel to remote villages as part of their efforts to understand tribal and dalit groups and “spread humanitarianism.”

AICUF members in another college plan to conduct regular classes for students at a local government school to improve education standards in such institutions.

Around 40 student leaders from seven Catholic colleges attended the September 2-3 camp with the theme: “Think to act, act to transform.”

The camp aimed to address a lack of effective Catholic leaders in social, political and cultural circles in Andhra Pradesh, said Jesuit Father Amar Rao, one of the organizers.

It also discussed topics such as corruption, consumerism, fundamentalism and casteism and studied government welfare schemes for the poor and the need for dynamic leadership in a fast changing world, the priest added.

The camp was held amid a nationwide campaign against corruption led by Anna Hazare.

The camp, Father Rao said, tried to help the student leaders understand social, political and cultural undercurrents in Andhra Pradesh and the country.

“In turn, these young leaders will bring awareness among their fellow students and on campuses,” he added.

Anitha Latha, a participant, said the camp helped her become aware of various social issues and convinced her that social transformation is possible “if I transform myself first.”

J. Ayesha, another participant, said the program helped her become “critical and analytical about events around me.”

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