The word ’empowerment’ means giving power. Youth empowerment is a process where children and young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. They do this by addressing their situation and then take action in order to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes. When young people have exposure to inspiring ideas and opportunities and the tools to build their confidence – they can take on anything and everything. Youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults.
An empowered young person recognizes their capabilities, self-determination and worth. They feel comfortable trying new things. They have the confidence to take risks and are aware that failure is a step toward progress, not a sign to give up. They don’t use the opinions of others as their guideposts in life. They stand up for their values. And they know they have built a foundation of self-empowerment to rely on in times of struggle or when they are feeling lost and need to recalibrate. Youth have the ability to bring a revolution and redesign the society for a better tomorrow. Bringing financial equality and eradicating poverty, raising education standards, proper governing methods and also reducing criminal offences in the society are some of the many changes the Indian youth can bring into effect. The youth today still needs to reach out and access resources in order to transform the vision into a reality through their views and attitude. We need to empower our youth, which can only be done through quality education so that they will one day become successful leaders in life.
The youth has a major role to play in bringing social modifications, financial progress and prosperity in the country. Empowering the youth is essential for the development of the country as well as for the growth of an individual. Some beneficial outcomes of youth empowerment include empowered and skilled youth, healthier and higher quality of life for the underprivileged, increased self-efficacy and improved social skills of the youths, national development, entrepreneurship, less dependability on government by youth communities. The youth needs to be allowed creative freedom and the opportunity to shape the lives of the future generations in the best way possible by a critical awareness of present conditions and the loopholes in them. An individual needs to inculcate values that not only helps to lead a life full of satisfaction but also is in keeping with the social ideals and gives the strength and ability to meet future challenges. If our youth arise and act, they have the strength and dynamism to generate a huge transformation in the society. Youth become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.
A society will be secured enough when youth is empowered because an empowered youth will never give any harm to the society in which they are living. Youth empowerment creates a sense of responsibility and leadership skills due to which they can feel and identify the actual practical problems of the society from which many people are suffering. This is why youth empowerment should be promoted efficiently so that not even a single person indulges him/herself in the wrong activities that often lead to crimes. When un-empowered youth step towards the path of crimes, they are not only harming themselves but prove to be a threat to the society in which they are living. A youth commit crimes only when no one supports them morally, their financial needs are not fulfilled, their hard work doesn’t pay them off, and so when a young person suffers from such kind of situations, they can easily direct themselves to the path of crimes which must be a threatening situation for any nation. One of the biggest advantages and benefits of youth empowerment is that they become self-employed and are no more dependent on anyone for their needs and wants. An empowered person is always open to help others. They are not of the view to create professional jealousy, instead, they teach others, share their experiences and help others to uplift the society in which they are living.
Youth empowerment is often addressed as a gateway to intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building. Many local, state, provincial, regional, national, and international government agencies and nonprofit community-based organizations provide programs centered on youth empowerment. Youth empowerment programs are aimed at creating healthier and higher qualities of life for underprivileged or at-risk youth. Youth active participation cannot be ignored if there has to be any positive change in our societies. Institutional activities should therefore be carried out with youths in mind. Relevant information should be provided for development of youth programs. To engage young people, one has to make use of good communication methods. In addition, they must be given power to influence important decisions. This allows participation to be active and creative hence empowering youth’s engagement in the society. The pivotal role of youth who are afresh with ideas and not ideals, will help in this movement towards a transparent civil society structure which can influence the political administration for the benefit of the society. It is only through a strong system of representation that democracy work and it is only through a strong youth representation that the dynamism and vigour of a country be maintained.
Empowering youth can help in the development of the nations as they are the stepping stones towards the better nation. The youth can only be empowered with a quality education and it is the responsibility of the government and other organizations to take care of the youth with the proper education facilities. The youth can help in the development of the nation as it gives them capability to earn and in results helps in producing good GDP. The nation can develop if the economy of the country is strong, and the economy of the country can only get strong when the GDP growth per person is good. The GDP growth can show remarkable changes when there is solid education and healthcare system of the nation. Youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any country. It is believed that developing countries with large youth population could see tremendous growth, provided they invest in young people’s education, health and protect and guarantee their rights. We can undoubtedly say that today’s young are tomorrow’s innovators, creators, builders and leaders. They have the power to change the nation. Young mind will be more fresh and innovative which helps in the progress of the country. But adequate opportunities should be given to the youth to represent their ideas and policies for the upliftment of the nation. Only way to express the ideas and to implement their policies is politics. Young people should be motivated to take part in politics and to occupy the high positions such as Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Governor.
Creating a favorable environment that provides an opportunity for youth leadership will enable them to develop skills needed for change in the society as well as providing opportunity to providing their services to others. Youths can also be empowered by offering ideas concerning work and education. In addition, the assets that can develop this process are also important. It is the time the young generations take up this challenge and contribute in the development of our nation as they have power to change the Society. Education programs should aim to teach young minds right from the school level the importance of choosing right people who would take charge of governance. Conventionally, youth have been asked to keep away from politics. Youth should be motivated to consider politics as a means to serve the nation. They should be oriented on anti-corruption drives with focus on prevention, education, and strategies for fighting corruption. Good governance is realistic with youth empowerment.
The wise youth that we have out there should be taken into consideration. Some of them, though educated are unemployed. They should be given an opportunity to expose their intelligence to the world and make themselves into someone. Government, Civil Society, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders should assist the youths so that they can make our land a great and educated one. They will make a huge difference in society and the entire world. The youth are our life and nation. They will make our country proud. The country will be recognized. The youth just need the support and enabling environment at family level, community level, society level, state level, national level and international level which in turn will encourage them to perform their duties.
The role of the youth in the nation building is crucial. They are problem solvers, have a positive influence on other young people and the nation, and are extremely ambitious. They have the ability to create an identity for themselves and move the nation forward. However, they will not be able to do this without the support of family, community, Government and fellow youths. Then the youth can make their beautiful land flourish and shine in success.
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(Author is a regular writer for this newspaper and can be reached at [email protected])
