Democracy and the Role of the Youth
Young people have historically played a pivotal role in shaping Indian society, culture, and politics. From leading the charge in the freedom struggle to spearheading post-independence nation-building to setting the stage for modern social movements, each generation has left its mark in response to the country’s needs at that point of time. This trend has prevailed across different time periods and geographies for a simple, but profound, reason: the youth hold a bigger stake in the future than any other demographic group.
While youth participation has been consistent throughout, the role each generation needs to play keeps evolving. Today’s young people are uniquely positioned to determine their role in moulding India’s future trajectory, at a time when harnessing the country’s youth dividend is paramount. Growing up amid a digital revolution, they have unprecedented access to information and tools that previous generations could hardly dream of. This connectivity has enabled them to mobilise quickly to address contemporary issues of social justice, climate change, and political transparency, making them active participants in democracy and shapers of its processes.
Now here’s the challenge: consider any fundamental right enshrined in the Indian Constitution. While these are cornerstones of democracy, the onus of exercising these rights actively and responsibly falls on the citizenry. In much the same way, the know-how and means to active civic participation are both available and accessible. But the key to seeing this in practice lies in effectively activating youth agency, that is, bringing them out of a state of social and political apathy to become active agents of change.
Take Priyanka Kumari, for instance. A resident of north Bihar’s Bishanpur Gonahi village, she exemplified the power of active youth agency when she decided to contest the panchayat elections, with the goal of changing the local political culture. She has since founded Gram Chetna Andolan and has mobilised her community to tackle local water crises through Ward Sabha meetings, Jal Chetna Chaupals, and numerous water audits.
Hardeep Singh, a changemaker from Punjab’s Patiala, demonstrated the impact of youth agency when he began collecting data in 2022 to understand the causes of stubble burning. Using theatre as a means to educate farmers about alternative agricultural practices, Hardeep successfully prevented stubble burning in 35 villages covering 10,500 acres of land, earning him recognition from the Hon’ble Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
Working to build a movement of young, active citizens through Reap Benefit over the past decade, we have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of activated youth agency through individuals like Priyanka, Hardeep, and many others. Fortunately for us, the current generation is naturally curious, open to bold experimentation, responsive to technology, and most crucially, has an appetite for creating sustainable impacts. If these traits are used well, it could usher in a new era of participatory local governance through civic participation and active citizenship.
Activating Youth Agency: Some Practical Steps
While the merits of fostering an active citizenry led by youth are undeniable, the key question is: how can we “activate” agency to foster a culture of participatory local governance?
For the longest time, education has been the singular, most important lever to foster youth agency. However, adapting our institutions to make education more holistic, hands-on, and relevant has proved to be incredibly complex. While organisations like Pratham Education Foundation and Teach for India have made commendable progress, the gains are deferred and slow. This reality calls for exploring new avenues to complement traditional education and catalyse the development of dynamic young citizens.
To achieve this, we need practical, actionable steps that empower young people to take on leadership roles within their communities. At Reap Benefit, we have identified several strategies and are continually exploring and refining new approaches. Here are some that have been effective:
- Reporting Local Issues and Providing Inputs on Local Policies:
Encouraging young people to report local issues and provide inputs on local policies is vital. This involves discovering who the key decision-makers are, how local governance works, and how they can influence it. By voicing concerns and suggesting improvements, young people can ensure that their needs and those of their community are addressed. This not only helps in solving immediate problems but also fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership of their community.
- Crowdsourcing Data to Better Understand Challenges:
Like in Hardeep’s case, leveraging technology to crowdsource data from the community can paint a clearer picture of the challenges faced at the local level, leading to more tailored and targeted interventions. Youth can be trained to collect, analyse, and interpret this data, providing valuable insights for policymakers. This hands-on experience with data can also help them build essential 21st-century skills and understand the importance of evidence-based decision-making.
- Building and Sharing Local Solutions:
Once local challenges are identified, youth can be empowered to ideate and implement innovative community solutions. This could range from using technology to address specific issues or developing targeted innovations to solve local problems. One such example is a waterless urinal developed by using household items, which eliminates the need for flushing after every use, making it ideal for areas facing water shortages. Sharing these solutions with other communities can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to take similar actions.
- Initiating and Joining Local Campaigns for Collective Impact:
The youth can be encouraged to build and join local campaigns aimed at creating a collective impact. Whether it’s a campaign for better waste management, water conservation, or improving local education facilities, these initiatives can mobilise the community and bring about significant change. By participating in these campaigns, young people learn about advocacy, leadership, and the power of collective action. This is best exemplified by Assam’s Jal Doots, a programme under the Assam government’s Jal Jeevan Mission, in which young people from rural areas were empowered to become water ambassadors in their communities, advocating and campaigning for the judicious use of water resources. Notably, the programme is now officially being adopted across all schools in the country.
- Mentoring Fellow Citizens to Encourage Active Participation:
An important factor in sustaining youth agency is mentorship. Experienced changemakers can guide their peers, and share their knowledge and experiences. This can help young people to surmount challenges, stay motivated, and develop their skills. A strong mentorship network ensures that knowledge is passed down and that new leaders are continually nurtured.
- Creating Opportunities for Practical Experience, Mentorship, and Civic Engagement:
Practical experience, mentorship, and civic engagement can provide the hands-on learning and immediate impact that traditional education systems struggle to deliver. Experiences such as internships with local government offices, community service projects, and participation in civic forums can help young people to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences are invaluable in building confidence, skills, and a deep understanding of civic responsibilities.
A New Era of Active Citizenship and Participatory Governance
To conclude, we would like to say that active citizenship forms the backbone of a thriving democracy, and a community of activated youth serves as its lifeblood. Engaged and empowered young people shape governance processes at the local level, ensuring that these are inclusive and reflective of community needs, which is the foundation of any democracy.
However, it is essential to focus on empowering youth from marginalised communities to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs addressed. Only then can we create a truly inclusive movement and usher in a new era of civic participation and participatory local governance. This new era promises a vibrant democratic society where governance is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people, ensuring all citizens can contribute meaningfully to their community’s well-being and progress.
Mr. Kuldeep Dantewadia is the co-founder and CEO of Reap Benefit, a social enterprise that has worked with over 23,000 youth across India.