AICUF

The AICUF - All India Catholic University Federation, is a movement of university students with a vision for a new and just society. Progressing in a history of constant rediscovery and re-creation, the AICUF ever tries to link itself to the emerging needs and realities of the University, the Church and wider society. The AICUF is affiliated to PAX ROMANA – The International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS).

The AICUF Maharashtra organizes various activities keeping 3 objectives in mind - Social Outreach, Personality Development and Spiritual Growth. These activities include camps, retreats, hikes, exposure visits, exhibitions, seminars, rallies and campaigns. The AICUF has taken up several social issues such as human trafficking, displacement due to Special Economic Zones etc. We also tutor underprivileged children and conduct workshops for them at the Garden School, Colaba. We organise visits to Ashadaan and St Catherine’s Home.

At present, the only AICUF unit in Maharashtra exists in St Xavier’s College. The unit has a Steering Committee consisting of a President, Secretary and Treasurer and an extended steering committee consisting of a Publicity Coordinator, Liturgy Coordinator, Social Outreach Coordinator and Cultural Coordinator. We also have an active Women’s Commission and a Human Rights Cell. The Steering Committee also includes a National Team Member and a National Council Member of AICUF Maharashtra.

Every year in December, we celebrate AICUF Day which includes sessions, Mass, tele-games and an inter-College Carol singing Competition- Mistletones. Besides the AICUF Day, some of the standard AICUF activities include an annual retreat, the YES (Youth Encounter Sessions) personality development camp in Khandala, Diwali workshops on various skills and crafts, an inter college seminar on a relevant social issue and weekly meetings in the Seminar Room of St. Xavier’s College.

AICUF Maharashtra has 4 publications:

• The Phoenix- General monthly newsletter

• Anamika- State Women’s Commission quarterly newsletter

• Amnesty AICUF- State Human Rights Cell quarterly newsletter

• The AICUFer- Annual AICUF magazine

AICUFers also regularly contribute to The Rally, the national level monthly magazine of the AICUF.

AICUFers from St. Xavier’s College have represented Maharashtra and India at several national and international level programmes for university students, including the International Council of the IMCS.

In the year 2007-2008, the AICUF initiated several new activities including a Letters to the Editor campaign - A Time to Change, and a summer Cadre Training Programme.

Social outreach is the basis of all AICUF activities. It includes social awareness, social service and social activism. Our aim is to live up to the AICUF motto - “We are born into an unjust society and we are determined not to leave it as we have found it.”