Some of the critical areas that have been identified for deliberation in the conclave include: Aging Population; Migration and urbanization; Schol Education; Youth, Skilling and Employment; Health and Nutrition; and Localization of SDGs & Local Governance. Thematic track wise detailed note is attached for reference.

Inclusive Quality Education:

A concerning decline in both sex ratio and child sex ratio highlights the urgent need for heightened awareness of gender issues. Engagement with parents, School Management Committees (SMCs), and local government entities is crucial. Textbooks often exhibit bias, lacking gender sensitivity. Urgently needed is a gender-transformative education system integrating a sensitive curriculum alongside life skills and value-based education. A monitoring mechanism attuned to gender sensitivity is essential. Disruptions caused by the pandemic necessitate a tailored Foundational Literacy and Numeracy program to bridge basic education gaps. Assessments should adopt a holistic approach, considering all-round personality development.

Teacher Development:

The role of teachers is crucial in the teaching-learning process, yet there’s been a shift towards infrastructure development, neglecting teacher development. There’s a shortage of elementary school teachers, with many nearing retirement. Expedited recruitment processes are necessary. Teachers’ responsibilities include skill enhancement, collaboration with students, and creating an optimal learning environment. Existing training programs prioritize inputs over outcomes, so overhauling teacher development programs to prioritize teachers’ well-being is imperative.

Technology Integration:

Ensuring schools have the necessary technical infrastructure is crucial for integrating technology into education. Access to devices, internet connectivity, and technical support are critical for all students. Teacher expertise in incorporating technology is key to success. Comprehensive training programs are essential to equip teachers with 21st-century skills, enabling them to leverage technological resources effectively. Improving digital literacy for both students and teachers through interactive content is vital for enhancing program effectiveness.

Resource Allocation:

Education represents an investment rather than mere expenditure. Nevertheless, a significant number of schools have yet to adhere to RTE norms. Therefore, prioritizing school rationalization and consolidation is crucial, along with an essential increase in budget allocation for the education sector to expedite the realization of NEP 2020 within specified timelines.

• After the pandemic, what strategies helped recover learning loss, and where does Odisha need to improve?
• How can Odisha make sure that the access to education at the elementary level extends to secondary and higher secondary levels?
• How can community and civil society organizations make sure the education system is accountable for providing ‘quality education’?
• What are the technological innovations and promising practices that are available for replication?

• Addressing malnutrition across all levels requires a holistic and sustainable multi-stakeholder approach. Initiatives such as the “First 1000 Days approach” and the promotion of Baby-Friendly Hospitals can effectively combat early-age malnutrition through collaborative efforts.
• The traditional healing practices of tribal communities often go unnoticed amidst Eurocentric approaches like modern medicine and National Science Foundation (NSF) programs. Indigenous practices are unjustly dismissed as impractical, hindering their integration into contemporary healthcare systems. Increased research into indigenous healthcare can uncover locally accepted treatments, best practices, and skilled healers.
• Cultural resistance to modern healthcare poses a significant barrier to access, particularly among tribal and marginalized groups. Engaging in consultations and counselling to address concerns and dispel misconceptions about modern medicine is essential for fostering acceptance. Additionally, providing training for local healers in modern healthcare practices can bridge the gap.
• Misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding persist due to cultural taboos, undermining its significance for child health. Establishing comprehensive lactation management centres and units can enhance infant and young child feeding practices, both pre- and post-illness.
• Despite its nutritional value, millet faces stigma as a lower-quality food, limiting its widespread acceptance. Launching extensive awareness campaigns and promoting diverse millet-based diets can effectively address malnutrition challenges across age groups, genders, and communities in the state.

System Strengthening:

• Promotion of intersectoral coordination and convergence by conducting joint program reviews that involve the Health & Family Welfare department and other relevant departments in the state.

Quality Intervention & Audit:

• Improve systems level benchmarking for improving services quality of nutrition intervention programmes through branding, mentoring and capacity building of stakeholders.

Dietary Diversity:

• Improve nutrient content of locally available food grains and adopt appropriate agronomic practices including the promotion of millets in the state. Strengthen the Nutri -garden and indigenous food practices in the rural village.

Stronger Coalition & Collective Efforts:

• Involve academia in undertaking policy-relevant research and new product development along with collective efforts of CSR and CSO. There is need of a Stronger Nutrition Coalition to address such issues in the state.

• Ensure trainers undergo skilling and reskilling to develop a high-quality workforce.
• Provide youth and parents with exposure and counseling on employment opportunities.
• Address language disparities to improve communication skills and job prospects for Odisha’s youth.
• Establish decentralized training institutions and promote localization of employment opportunities through small-scale industries to retain the local workforce and curb migration.
• Designate select villages for focused skill enhancement initiatives, serving as models for broader application.
• Harness the tourism sector’s potential to boost Odisha’s economy.
• Focus on practical skills acquisition alongside theoretical knowledge, embedding soft and hard skills in school curricula to prepare individuals for real-world employment.
• Promote programs like Viswakarma Atmanirbhar and NUA Odisha.
• Incentivize Smart Agriculture practices to attract youth and enhance technology adoption in farming.
• Advocate for policies supporting local small-scale industries to create jobs.

2. Mindset:

• Revamp counseling to bridge the gap between candidates’ aspirations and industry realities.
• Involve communities and peer groups to reduce attrition.
• Integrate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) to address inferiority complex associated with vocational education.
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify and rectify gaps in Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception among candidates.

3. Money:

• Invest in centers of excellence like World Skills Centre and Skill Development Institutes statewide to meet the demand for skilled workers.
• Position Odisha as a global provider of high-quality skills to address local needs.
• Strengthen foundational skill infrastructure in schools.

Double Burden of Malnutrition:

Obesity among children is increasing, whereas more than one-third of the children (under age 5) are still undernourished. Despite progress continues to grapple with widespread anaemia, the rising cost of nutrition programs adds to the state’s financial burden.

Sexual and Reproductive Health:

Despite increased overall contraceptive use, modern methods remain underutilized, with a very low prevalence of male contraceptive methods like condoms and vasectomy, which are safer and more effective.

Healthcare System and Disease Burden:

• Persistent prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) alongside communicable diseases.
• Shift in disease burden towards younger populations.

Misconceptions and Taboos:

• Misconceptions surrounding breast feeding persist due to cultural taboos, undermining its significance for child health.
• Millet’s nutritional value is overshadowed by stigma, limiting acceptance. Awareness campaigns can boost millet consumption to combat malnutrition.
• Indigenous healing practices are often dismissed, hindering integration into healthcare systems; research can uncover effective treatments and skilled healers.

• Strengthen NCD-related programs ensuring better prevention, diagnosis, and management to improve overall public health outcomes.
• Allocate budget provisions for recruiting and training additional paramedics to assist ANMs in screening and early detection of NCDs like hypertension and diabetes, ensuring timely intervention and improved public health outcomes.

Addressing Nutritional Challenges:

• Improve the nutrient content of local food grains, and promote sustainable practices, including millets, while strengthening nutri-gardens and indigenous food traditions.
• A holistic approach, like the “First 1000 Days” initiative and Baby-Friendly Hospitals, is crucial for combating early-age malnutrition.

Strengthening Planning, Monitoring and Coordination:

• Enhance health and nutrition planning at the village/Gram Panchayat level by formulating comprehensive plans.
• Promote intersectoral coordination through joint program reviews involving the Health & Family Welfare Department and other relevant agencies.

Double Burden of Malnutrition:

Obesity among children is increasing, whereas more than one-third of the children (under age 5) are still undernourished. Despite progress continues to grapple with widespread anaemia, the rising cost of nutrition programs adds to the state’s financial burden.

Sexual and Reproductive Health:

Despite increased overall contraceptive use, modern methods remain underutilized, with a very low prevalence of male contraceptive methods like condoms and vasectomy, which are safer and more effective.

Healthcare System and Disease Burden:

• Persistent prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) alongside communicable diseases.
• Shift in disease burden towards younger populations.

Misconceptions and Taboos:

• Misconceptions surrounding breast feeding persist due to cultural taboos, undermining its significance for child health.
• Millet’s nutritional value is overshadowed by stigma, limiting acceptance. Awareness campaigns can boost millet consumption to combat malnutrition.
• Indigenous healing practices are often dismissed, hindering integration into healthcare systems; research can uncover effective treatments and skilled healers.

• Strengthen NCD-related programs ensuring better prevention, diagnosis, and management to improve overall public health outcomes.
• Allocate budget provisions for recruiting and training additional paramedics to assist ANMs in screening and early detection of NCDs like hypertension and diabetes, ensuring timely intervention and improved public health outcomes.

Addressing Nutritional Challenges:

• Improve the nutrient content of local food grains, and promote sustainable practices, including millets, while strengthening nutri-gardens and indigenous food traditions.
• A holistic approach, like the “First 1000 Days” initiative and Baby-Friendly Hospitals, is crucial for combating early-age malnutrition.

Strengthening Planning, Monitoring and Coordination:

• Enhance health and nutrition planning at the village/Gram Panchayat level by formulating comprehensive plans.
• Promote intersectoral coordination through joint program reviews involving the Health & Family Welfare Department and other relevant agencies.

• What is the current status of social security and economic security of elderly in Odisha? How can we establish a universally accessible socio-economic security net for every elderly individual in the state?
• How can we enhance age-appropriate skill-building and livelihood opportunities for the elderly? What needs to be done?
• The increasing demand for home-based geriatric care in both urban and rural settings necessitates proactive system preparation. How should the system gear up to address this emerging demand?
• What are the needs of the oldest old (79+ years)? How well-prepared is the state to cater to their specific requirements?
• Feminization of the aging population – Have we examined these issues, and how do we plan to support this segment of society?
• Ruralization of the aging population – What challenges lie ahead for the next generation and the state in addressing this shift?

• The prevalence of disability among the elderly stands at 11%. Despite the availability of healthcare facilities and infrastructure, their underutilization persists.
• The support provided to elderly individuals should be tailored to their specific needs, ensuring a person-centred approach.
• Elderly individuals are disproportionately susceptible to various non-communicable diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, and cancer.
• There is a necessity to explore options for expanding home-based care for the elderly, minimizing hospitalizations, intensive treatments, and ICU admissions.
• Integration of geriatric care education into the academic curriculum is essential, alongside the formation of volunteer groups dedicated to elderly care.
• Facilitating aging in place requires institutional support such as the provision of well-equipped old age homes.
• Upholding dignity in aging is emphasized through the introduction of online courses by the National Institute of Social Defence aimed at training geriatric caregivers, including students, professionals, and NGOs.
• Active aging is promoted through initiatives like the national helpline 14567, which provides assistance to individuals affected by age-related disabilities, offering financial aid and hearing aids.
• Fostering community partnerships will go a long way towards facilitating companionship among the elderly, thereby mitigating loneliness and bolstering mental well-being.

• CSR Funding: There are concerns regarding the adequacy of CSR funds in Odisha. It is crucial to underscore the importance of effective allocation and transparent reporting.
• Priority Areas: Education, healthcare, and rural development have emerged as prominent focal points for CSR initiatives.

• • Government Initiatives: Collective and collaborative efforts between the government and corporations are necessary for various government initiatives, including the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana for healthcare, Mission Shakti for women’s empowerment, and Mo School for Education.
  • Challenges: It is imperative to acknowledge the limitations in addressing complex issues such as poverty and hunger through CSR, emphasizing the necessity for long-term solutions.
  • Success Stories: Promising CSR initiatives such as the Akshaya Patra Foundation and handicraft promotions should be further promoted and encouraged.
  • ESG Integration: There is a need to emphasize the incorporation of Environment, Social, and Governance principles into both corporate and Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) practices.
  • Role of CSOs: It is crucial to recognize CSOs as effective and reliable partners in implementing CSR programs, especially in remote areas.

• Case Study Documentation: It would be useful to prioritize the documentation of successful CSR case studies to facilitate the sharing of best practices and encourage greater participation.
• Types of CSR: Engaging in discussions on various CSR activities, including core business CSR, strategic CSR, and philanthropic CSR, is essential.
• Independent Monitoring: There is a significant requirement for independent agencies to monitor and evaluate CSR activities to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Disaster Management: One of the current imperatives is to emphasize the integration of disaster management into CSR strategies to mitigate the impact of natural calamities induced by climate change.

• What information system needs to be placed at GP level for effective decision making and monitoring of development actions?
• How to have a convergence of various plans such as Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP), Integrated Village Development Plan (IVDP), Bio-Diversity Plan and GPDP at Gram Panchayat level?
• Need of multi-stakeholder collaboration in expediting faster realization of SDGs.

• Providing Gram Panchayats with timely information regarding their current demographic data, infrastructure status, existing social security schemes, and how to access them will empower the Panchayats to engage in effective localized planning and implementation.
• The active involvement of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the integration of their annual plans into the GPDP will enhance its comprehensiveness and foster greater inclusivity in local-level planning.
• It is necessary to identify the appropriate beneficiaries, particularly the most vulnerable sections of the population, to ensure that social security schemes reach those who are eligible but have been left-out.