COVA-led initiative empowers students on elder care

Students trained under the Compassionate Citizenship Programme have proposed actionable solutions to improve elder care and address climate concerns. Backed by faith leaders, the initiative will now be expanded to 3,000 schools through a State government–COVA MoU

Hyderabad: Students from various schools in Hyderabad and districts, as part of Compassionate Citizenship Programme, a collaborative initiative between Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA) and State Education Department, have proposed specific ‘actionable points’ to address growing needs of senior citizens and escalating climate crisis.

The students underwent rigorous training in social science research and advocacy, which enabled them to come up with the suggestions to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Their work included field studies and direct interactions with stakeholders to move beyond theory and into practical community service.

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The students’ proposal for elder care focuses on dignity and social integration, advocating for quality time, fulfilment of essential needs, and creation of senior citizen groups in community hubs.

To ensure these points reach the heart of the community, students presented their representations to prominent faith leaders from Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities.

The leaders including Archbishop Antony Prince Panengadan and representatives from the Arya Samaj and Jamait e Ulema E Hind, committed to propagating the twelve points during their weekly sermons in masjids, churches, and satsangs.

The State government has now signed an MoU with COVA to scale this programme to 3,000 schools across the State, integrating it into the formal Value Education curriculum, said Mazher Hussain, Executive Director, COVA Peace Network.