possibility of
initiation of a working committee/sub committee for youth/youth development at
the local government institution.
Ø Local government institution: grama panchayat
Ø Agenda
: ‘putting young people at the heart of
developmental local government’
Ø End goals:
1.
The Creation of
mechanisms (structures/institutions/policies) for youth participation in local
governments appropriate to the local context, and strengthening of those that
do exist.
2.
Improvement in
access and creation of open communication channels between the local government
and youth in line with the local context (public meetings / social media).
3.
Adopting measures to increase transparency
regarding their operations and budgets allowing citizens to hold them
accountable.
Ø Background:
India, itself
has the largest youth population in the world, where 15‐35 years represents 40% of total population. The
educated youth is the critical mass. They are unique and special, who demands
for development, quality of services, transparency and accountability from the
authorities by challenging the existing nexus. They have energy, little
responsibility, access to advanced technology making information accessible,
which builds their confidence. But their participation has been low
particularly political and development level. Reasons for this can be: education,
socio-economic status, socio cultural taboos, less mobilization of youth
population and insensitive attitude towards governance and politics.
Ø Why working committee/ subcommittee for youth:
Moving forward with the decentralized governance policies
and holding a huge percentage of youth population, mainstreaming youth and
enduring youth leadership in the country at the local government institutions
invite a high concern. Opportunities for youth to engage in governance and
participate in political and decision-making processes both in local and
national level depend largely on the political, socioeconomic, and cultural
contexts where social norms in many parts of the country result in multiple forms
of discrimination against young people.
A working committee thus created exclusively for youth
development at the panchayat level can address the concerns of youth and their
relatively low participation in societal progress. Since it is a legitimized
body under panchayat, it will be more authenticated and can act lawfully. Also
a formal engagement of youth with the village governing body is possible
through such a committee. This will further result in enhanced mobilization and
sensitization of youth in the arena of local leadership, politics and
leadership.
Ø Focus of working committee could be:
1.
Having a reliable
data base of youth populations in the village which includes the demographic details,
educational and other qualifications, health status(mental and
physical),economic and social status etc.
2.
Formulating a
village level youth policy (defining youth, socio-economic structure of youth,
mission vision and objectives for youth empowerment)
3.
Development of youth resource center at
village level. Major emphasis on inclusion of youth and their perspectives,knowledge
and skills in Decision Making and Policy Implementation.
4.
Mobilizing youth
for enhanced participation in village governance and sensitization of their
role in village development as a youth.
5.
Formulation and
implementation of youth oriented workshops, seminars, rural camps, internships, action projects and campaigns
and training programmes.
6.
Youth Empowerment through
Civic Education to make them active and informed citizen. this can be done
through formal education and extracurricular activities(may or may not be
through school)
7.
Intensified policy
implementation and resource mobilization for skill development to create more
income generating employment opportunities at the village level itself.
8.
Youth budgeting for
mainstreaming youth through financial inclusion.
9.
Suitable
environment generation for a youth friendly village.
10.
Declaring the panchayat
as youth friendly.
Ø How to initiate:
1.
General body of panchayat
can have an initial discussion on the matter and special grama sabha can be
called upon, to aware about the idea of youth friendly panchayat and seek input
from public.
2.
Constitution of
youth development working committee and notifying its agenda.
3.
A special session
can be conducted exclusively for youth in the village.
4.
Expertise
suggestions and collaboration with related organization can seek.
5.
Stratified planning
Ø My role could be:
1.
Putting up a
proposal on my ideas of youth friendly panchayat and as a native of what I am
expecting my panchayat to be for youth.
2.
Collecting
responses from my peers and sensitizing within us through one to one
conversations.
3. Organizing and initiating debates and discussions and
welcoming local political concerns.
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