The Role of Youth in Shaping the Future of Governance in India

Role Of Youth In Shaping India's Future – An Overview

It is true that the future of the country lies in the hands of the children, which makes it true that the present of the country is in the hands of the capable youth of today. No wonder why there is so much emphasis on the role of youth in modern India. Let’s see what power these young commanders have in their hands:

• Political Awareness & Participation: Young people in India used to be seen as indifferent about politics, but this is changing fast. Thanks to the internet and social media, young people are getting more and more involved in politics. They're talking about important topics like environmental sustainability, gender equity, and economic growth. This new political awareness is really important for making India a better place.
• Technological Innovation and Governance: India's youth are digital natives and are using technology to reform governance. They develop apps, websites and platforms to improve government services, increase transparency and promote active citizenship. Digital innovation can improve administrative processes and make them more efficient and citizen-friendly.
• Social and Environmental Initiatives: Young Indians are leading the way to address the nation's most pressing challenges, including environmental degradation and social inequality. They participate in tree planting projects, promote sustainable practices, and organize campaigns to address issues such as air pollution and water scarcity.
• Grassroots Mobilization: Young people are actively involved in popular movements and community building. Whether it's organizing clean-ups, educating poor children or disaster relief projects, their actions have a tangible impact on local governance. Such community participation develops leadership skills and increases responsibility, which can translate into wider political participation.
• A Fresh Perspective on Governance: Young minds bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to management. Their idealism, combined with a willingness to experiment, can lead to bold policies and reforms. They advocate, for example, sustainable development, renewable energy and digital literacy, which are essential for India's future.

How NGOs Mobilize the Youth in Promoting Ethical Governance

NGOs play a key role in mobilizing young people to promote ethical governance. Youth participation can bring new perspectives, energy and innovative ideas to meet management challenges. Here are some strategies that NGOs can use to effectively engage and mobilize youth for ethical governance:

• Education and Awareness: They organize workshops, seminars and awareness campaigns to educate the young about the importance of ethical governance, its principles and impact on society. They also conduct training programs to improve their understanding of management structures and processes.
• Advocacy and Policy Engagement: They encourage young people to actively communicate with political decision makers at both local and national levels. NGOs can provide them with the resources and information they need to participate in political debates.
• Youth-Friendly Campaigns: They create campaigns that resonate with young people, using social media, storytelling and multimedia content to deliver messages effectively. Their campaigns mainly focus on specific issues such as transparency, anti-corruption, electoral reform and youth representation in governance.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: They collaborate with youth organizations, educational institutions and other stakeholders to pool resources and expertise. Through such collaborations they organize events, campaigns and initiatives together to maximize impact.
• Leadership Development: They provide leadership training programs and mentoring opportunities to help young leaders develop the skills needed to advocate for ethical governance. They also provide platforms for youth to take leadership roles in NGOs, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Youth Networking and Inclusivity: They facilitate networking and collaboration among young activists, allowing them to share experiences and learn from each other's successes and challenges. This is done through online communities or forums where young people can interact and discuss issues related to governance.
• Civic Awareness Programs: Civic education programs are developed and implemented in schools and universities, where young people are taught about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. This encourages young people to participate in mock leadership exercises such as mock elections and legislative debates to gain practical experience.
• Use of Technology: They use technology to reach and mobilize young people. They create interactive apps, online games or platforms that educate and engage them on ethical management issues. They also use social media and digital platforms for information dissemination, activism and online campaigns.
• Long-Term Engagement: They create sustainable engagement strategies to ensure long-term commitment of young people to ethical leadership. They are constantly updating and adapting engagement methods to meet the changing priorities and interests of young people.

NGOs That are Leading the Way….

Here are some NGOs that are all working towards creating a more inclusive, just, and progressive society in India by addressing various aspects of governance, social change, and community development. Each of these brings a unique perspective and set of initiatives to the table, contributing to the overall social and political fabric of the country:

• Haqdarshak: Haqdarshak is an Indian NGO focused on providing citizens with access to government welfare systems and services. They use a network of trained community workers, known as "Haqdarshaks", who guide people through the bureaucratic process and ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to. Their mission is to provide every citizen and MSME with transparent access to government financial and social services. They envisage improving socio-economic conditions and enhancing the overall standard of living of the community by ensuring efficient delivery of government financial and social services to the last mile.
• Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy - Ashoka University: Situated at Sonipat, Haryana, The Center for Social Impact and Philanthropy is an academic hub dedicated to catalysing philanthropy in India through knowledge, networking and capacity building. This is narrowed down to three main ways: firstly through research and data or knowledge products, secondly by providing platforms for knowledge dissemination and discussion, and thirdly by enabling capacity building and leadership development among stakeholders.
• Swaniti Initiative: The Swanit Initiative is an NGO dedicated to supporting Indian policymakers, particularly members of parliament. They provide data-driven research and analysis to help lawmakers make informed decisions on critical issues. By connecting resources and expertise to parliamentarians, Swaniti aims to improve policy outcomes and governance. Swaniti operated for ten years, focusing on decision-making and public service. The organization's projects mainly aim to support state institutions in preparing effective implementation strategies for various projects.
• The Blue Ribbon Movement: This Mumbai based NGO is a youth-led organization that focuses on promoting the culture of volunteering and social responsibility. The organization is committed to creating a culture of shared responsibility through democracy and building connections and partnerships for sustainable social change. Its approach revolves around the collective perception of the emerging future and the embodiment of unified action. It encourages the common public to become volunteers, individuals who are deeply immersed in promoting social change beyond their normal responsibilities.
• Vision India Foundation: Vision India Foundation (VIF) is dedicated to helping India's youth become ethical and capable leaders. They offer leadership programs and scholarships that give young people the chance to explore policy, governance and advocacy. Vision India Foundation's goal is to train and guide India's future leaders, focusing on systems tools like public politics and governance to make a difference and get young people involved in these areas. They work closely with state and city governments, elected officials, NGOs, grass-roots groups, and academics to explore different aspects of public politics and governance.

India's youth are not just mute spectators, they are making a difference. With their energy, innovation, and enthusiasm, they have the power to shake up governance in this vibrant democracy. Let's invest in the power of youth in India, and together build a more responsive government in India and Give Discover is ready to lead the charge.