About Us
The Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Bengaluru, with 24 years of experience. We are pioneers in Citizenship Education in India, and we aim to transform young people into informed, thoughtful, and active citizens. Our mission is to create a more inclusive and sustainable India, while our vision is to empower young individuals to uphold democratic values, coexist harmoniously with nature, and participate in collective actions for equitable development.
CMCA collaborates with children and youth at the grassroots level, engaging with educational institutions such as schools and colleges, as well as community spaces like rural libraries, skill development centers, and learning hubs through five essential programs. With an annual outreach extending to over 100,000 children and youth, CMCA has established partnerships with government departments in six states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Our Mission
To transform the young into concerned, thinking, active citizens for an inclusive and sustainable India.
Our Vision
Empowered young people living by democratic values, in harmony with nature, and engaged in collective action for equitable development.
Our Values
Our Principles
Board of Trustees
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Our Trustees come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, but are united by a common belief in a democratic, inclusive, and sustainable India, and they tirelessly champion CMCA’s work.
Mr. Aroon Raman (Chairman)
Is a businessman-entrepreneur and currently serves as the Managing Director of Telos Investments & Technologies Private Limited. Previously, he served as the Chairman of CII Karnataka State Council for 2010-11 and currently sits on several corporate boards and charitable trusts.
Dr. A.N. Yellappa Reddy (Trustee)
Has served in the Forest Department, Government of Karnataka for 35 years in various positions. As the Special Secretary of the Department of Ecology, Environment, & Forests, he played a pivotal role in implementing several landmark environmental conservation programs in Karnataka. He actively participates in various committees of governmental and non-governmental organizations and has been closely associated with CMCA since the year 2000. His reputation for sincerity and commitment to civic and environmental issues is widely recognized by all who have had the privilege to interact and work with him. CMCA greatly benefits from his expertise and extensive experience.
Mr. Aakash Sethi (Trustee)
With over 20 years of experience in Education and Youth Development programs, he has held leadership roles in organizations such as AIESEC, Ambuja Cements, Microsoft, and the International Youth Foundation. Aakash has designed, implemented, and monitored multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at advancing education, corporate responsibility, and technology for development. Currently serving as the CEO of Quest Alliance, he promotes the use of ICT in schools and vocational training to foster self-learning pathways for children and youth. Aakash is an Asia 21 Fellow and sits on the board of Science Meets Dharma, a Tibetan not-for-profit trust dedicated to science education for Tibetan monks. He holds a graduate degree in Economics from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad.
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The Teams at CMCA Driving Citizenship and Life Skills Education
Mr. Marulappa P.R.
Programs and Government Liaison
Ms. Nagaveni N.
Finance and Administration
Cdr. Narendra Kumar (Retd.)
Programs
Our History
CMCA was launched in 2000 as the Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness with a cycle rally where over 3000 school-going children cycled from Bengaluru’s Parade Grounds to Kanteerava Stadium, campaigning for a clean, green and safe Bangalore. The energy and enthusiasm of the children quickly saw the movement evolve into summer camps and then into ‘CMCA Clubs’. The ‘CMCA Club’ gained popularity and its impressive growth propelled the two parent organisations to launch CMCA as an autonomous body.
CMCA was founded as a joint program of Public Affairs Centre (www.pacindia.org) and Swabhimana, two Bengaluru-based non-profits
Little Flower School, Frank Anthony Public School, St Joseph’s Indian High School, and BM School become the first schools to register for the CMCA Club programme in Bengaluru
CMCA Mumbai was started with 3 schools; and our Government School Program was introduced in Bengaluru
CMCA Hubballi-Dharwad chapter launched. The first Traffic Police Day celebrated
The first Pourakarmika (Municipal Workers) Day celebrated
CMCA Hosur and Mysuru chapters launched
The success of CMCA Clubs led to the launch of CMCA as an autonomous body, marking the inception of the first prototype of the Yuva Nagarik Meter study, which began with a survey of 200 children.
The college program launched with Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru; CMCA Nagpur started; CMCA wins the Namma Bengaluru Award
The rural Karnataka program launched
Accredited by Credibility Alliance under Desirable Norms, endorsing CMCA as fulfilling high standards of accountability and transparency; CMCA Thiruvananthapuram launched as a partnership
CMCA adopts the integrated Citizenship and Life Skills program
The first Yuva Nagarik Meter (YNM) study, a pioneering study of democratic citizenship attributes among youth in urban India; YNM followed by Dialogues, an effort to engage with academics, educators, government agencies, and civil society to deliberate on civic education in India and propose solutions
The volunteer-driven CMCA program wins the “ iVolunteer Awards” 2017 for leadership in volunteer engagement
Renewed accreditation by Credibility Alliance under Desirable Norms, endorsing CMCA as fulfilling high standards of accountability and transparency
Accredited by GuideStar India with the “Transparency Key” for transparency and accountability
COVID response program launched with a focus on resilience and well-being
You believe in true democracy and support Active Citizenship, and we think everyone should know it. Display the CMCA Member web badge on your organisation’s site if you are a member school or a member college. If you are our partner or donor, then display the CMCA Partner web badge on your site. Let’s create an online community of Active Citizens to go with our offline one!
If you would like to receive our web badge, please write to headoffice@cmcaindia.org
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.
