IMSCAP – All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF) in the Andhra Loyola College (ALC) and Maris Stella (MS) at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, had their annual gathering to present the successful program in 2023 and plan for 2024. Most of the focus was on women’s empowerment and child rights through the campaign for awareness, advocacy and direct action in the community level. Ms. Bertha Samponu, the Asia Pacific Coordinator, was present and had a chance to share the program/activities and opportunities for the students at the regional and global levels. The event was focused on empowering young people to speak up for injustice in society, marginalized and oppressed people.

AICUF members in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, had a fruitful workshop session about youth empowerment. They discussed the discrimination, racism, and abuse that they faced in college, university, and their daily lives. The workshop presented the challenges and opportunities that as students, members of the movement, and as young people they might experience when trying to achieve justice and peace for everyone. The workshop was organized on 9th February and started with an understanding and reflection of the realities of society. The workshop was facilitated by Ms Rochelle Furtado, the Skills Training Comm-IMCS AP. Mr. Nicholas from Friends of Earth (FoE) India and Mrs Jesu Retinam from SNEHA (Social Needs Education and Human Resources) presented a session on youth empowerment. 34 participants received training to help them prosper in their community and tackle the problems they might face.