International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide on August 12. It was instituted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and highlight their potential to be partners in today’s global society. The day is an important bookmark; it reminds us of the need to mainstream youth in the development conversation and find ways to engage them meaningfully in a rapidly changing world.
Volunteering is a powerful strategy to do so. It is a vehicle for self- and social growth, especially for the youth in countries like India. As a developing nation with a rich history of community engagement, India is uniquely placed to benefit from volunteering. Communities can benefit directly from the act of volunteering, while the experience of volunteering can make youth more empathetic citizens and leaders of the future.
However, it is important for the youth to be shown this way. They must be able to see for themselves how the smallest of efforts can bring about tangible change, and most importantly, they must feel that it is as desirable to be a changemaker as it is to be an entrepreneur or an artist. Which makes the case for institutionalising volunteering and creating a vibrant volunteering ecosystem in the country. The benefits of doing so should be seen through different lenses.
Personal Growth
Youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Volunteering gives the youth an unparalleled opportunity for personal growth. It allows them to develop essential life skills that are not always cultivated in traditional academic environments: communication skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving capacities, to name a few. Acquiring these skills can significantly bolster their confidence and self-esteem, preparing them for future professional and personal challenges. From a macro point of view, volunteering is very important to the national agenda of building an inclusive and equitable country. It exposes the youth to social and economic realities, builds empathy, and helps them get a deeper understanding of societal issues. This exposure can prove particularly transformative in shaping their worldviews and increasing their sense of social responsibility and commitment to society.
Community Development
Youth can transform society. They bring energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives to the table, which can drive innovative solutions to local problems. There are several examples that support this line of thinking: in rural areas where access to education and healthcare is limited, youth-managed initiatives are playing a pivotal role in bridging these gaps. Programmes that focus on literacy, digital education, and health awareness are also being run effectively thanks to passionate and dedicated young volunteers. Additionally, youth volunteering can help build stronger, more cohesive communities. When young people engage in community service, they often inspire others to get involved, creating a ripple effect of positive change. This collective effort can lead to the development of more resilient communities that are better equipped to face social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Nation Building
When CII catalysed the India@75 vision in 2007, it was a vision of, by, and for the people. The vision translated into a people’s movement on the strength of multistakeholder collaborations. The India @75 Foundation worked to build up volunteering as an important vehicle of collaboration because it gives individuals the platform to connect with relevant institutions and work on grassroots issues.
The India@75 Foundation set up the National Volunteering Grid (NVG) as an online ecosystem to bring individuals, institutions, and industry together to collaborate in their pursuit of a common vision of the greater good. The India@75 vision has now evolved into India@100. Volunteerism continues to a key driver of the India@100 objectives; there is impetus on further strengthening the volunteering ecosystem so that the country can leverage youthful demographic profile.
Volunteerism does more than contribute immensely to a nation’s development. It fosters a sense of national pride and unity among young people and encourages them to look beyond themselves. This sense of collective responsibility is essential for nation-building and can help create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Challenges and Solutions
While the importance of youth volunteering in India is irrefutable, there are challenges that need to be addressed to maximise its impact. Many young people, for example, are unaware of the benefits of volunteering or do not have access to organised volunteer programmes.
To overcome these challenges, it is essential to promote a culture of volunteerism through education, awareness campaigns, and institutionalisation. Schools, colleges, and universities can play a pivotal role by integrating volunteer programmes into their curricula and encouraging students to participate in community service. Additionally, leveraging technology and social media can help connect young volunteers with opportunities and organisations that align with their interests and skills.
Whichever way we look at it, volunteering is vital to shaping the youth of India. While there are many organisations that encourage volunteering, it is time for a more systemic approach. We need to encourage volunteering from a young age at school with a credit system built into the pedagogy. Indian business schools should be more oriented towards creating socially responsible leaders. The government is uniquely placed to create a digital volunteering ecosystem to give more people, irrespective of their age or station in life, to volunteer. Doing so will open the floodgates to community engagement. By putting in place measures that promote the culture of volunteerism, India can harness the potential of its youth to create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society.
