Young people around the world are becoming catalysts for change, rejecting the status quo, and working to improve the world around us. Their activism and commitment create new perspectives, open paths to solving global problems, and inspire others. Their active participation in initiatives, advocacy, and grassroots efforts contributes to innovation, social change and societal development. Young people have the influence and the ability to become global leaders tomorrow. The path to leadership stems from a belief in one’s own strength and abilities. Young people today are working on building their leadership skills through participating in forums where they are able to communicate their opinions and shape their personalities.
In a functioning society, young people play a crucial role as vital instruments for change through their energy, creativity, and unique perspectives. They can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations, and they have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalysed important changes in political systems, power-sharing dynamics and economic opportunities. Civic engagement by the youth strengthens democratic processes, ensuring diverse representation and inclusive decision-making. Additionally, their adaptability and global perspectives foster resilience and international cooperation, helping societies navigate a rapidly changing world. Therefore, the active participation and leadership of young people are essential for a progressive, inclusive, and dynamic society.
In my opinion youth engagement is essential not only for the present but also for the future of society as well. The involvement of Youth in politics and societal positions has been increasing in recent times as we could see in the 18th Lok Sabha Elections in India, wherein four elected Members of Parliament were 25 years of age, thus being the youngest ever member of parliament. Out of the four members, 3 were women, showing women’s empowerment in society and the growing role of young women towards the development of society.
The advent of the digital age has brought about a paradigm shift in the manner in which individuals belonging to the younger generation participate in activism. The proliferation of technology and social media platforms has endowed individuals with unparalleled connectivity, organisation, and mobilisation prospects. Social media has emerged as a potent instrument for amplifying the voices of young activists and facilitating the dissemination of information, hence facilitating the establishment of global movements. YouTube is the platform most commonly used by teens, with 95% of them saying they have ever used it, according to a Center survey conducted May 4, 2022. Two-thirds of teens report using TikTok, followed by roughly six in ten who say they use Instagram (62%) and Snapchat (59%). Much smaller shares of teens say they have ever used Twitter (23%), Twitch (20%), WhatsApp (17%), and Reddit (14%). Social Media Activism has become an integral part of today’s society. According to global data from Edelman, 70% of Generation Z individuals are actively engaged in social or political causes. Young activists’ two most effective strategies are community involvement and grassroots organising. Young activists focus on the importance of incorporating people who are affected by various issues such as climate change, inequality, etc. By actively interacting with local communities to comprehend the problems they face, they foster trust and a sense of oneness. This tactic often includes organising neighbourhood events, presentations, and educational programs to raise awareness and provide locals with the resources they need to be their own champions. Young people today influence and participate in the functioning of society through social media. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are just a few examples of social media sites that have developed into practical tools for boosting their voices and organising supporters. Online petitions, hashtag campaigns, and viral challenges are all popular ways for people to spread the word and get support for their causes.
A great example is the Palestine – Rafah attack which recently garnered a lot of support on social media due to the youth raising voices for humanity and social evil.
A Nation’s economy in today’s world revolves around how capable and smart are the youth or young people of the country. Almost 90% of the world’s youth live in developing countries, and nearly one billion of these young people will enter the job and business market in the next 10 years. At present, about 34% of India’s Gross National Income (GNI) is contributed by the youth, aged 15-29 years. However, there exists a huge potential to increase the contribution of this class to the nation’s citizenry by increasing their participation and their productivity. India’s population is the world’s youngest population; more than 500 million Indian citizens are under 25 years of age and more than two-thirds of the population will be eligible to work. This means that a growing number of India’s youth need the right educational infrastructure to develop skills and adequate opportunities to get employed or become entrepreneurs. The role of the youth in economic development is therefore crucial. There are several ways in which the youth can contribute to economic development. Firstly, they can start their own businesses and create jobs for themselves and others. Secondly, they can work hard to get good grades and secure high-paying jobs to contribute to the economy through taxes and spending. Thirdly, they can volunteer their time and skills to help in their communities. The youth has always been a driving force behind economic development, and this will continue to be the case in the future. So, it is important that we invest in our young people and provide them with opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
In conclusion, the world is changing, and the youth are at the forefront of this change. They are the future leaders of our country, and they must be given the opportunity to lead us into a bright future. Young people have always been the driving force behind social and economic development and will continue to play a vital role in nation-building and economic development. In today’s rapidly changing world, the role of youth in nation-building is more important than ever before. As our world becomes increasingly globalised, young people must be given the opportunity to develop their cross-cultural competencies. Young people have always been instrumental in bridging cultural divides, and they will continue to play a vital role in promoting understanding and cooperation between different cultures.
It’s time for YOU(th)!