Youth Development

Youth power is the property of the nation. Youth is the change agent of the economy; leading on economic, social and cultural transformation. But youth needs to have creativity, learning capability, self-confidence and the environment to achieve these goals. Youth represents 38.8 % of the total population of India. Youth is the builder of the holistic development of the nation. The objective is to bring all youth into the mainstream of Indian life. It is necessary to engage youth – for freedom and for women’s rights – to establish a democratic value in society and to preserve the environment. In India, youth is playing vital role in political change.

Why we need a program?

Many Indian youth come from rural, often remote, areas of the country and are disadvantaged by poor education (theoretical not practical), limited opportunities to develop skills and to learn new skills, and by not being highly motivated or self-empowered to be creative. Their lives are at a crossroads. Youth in rural areas is moist vulnerable – those who have lost their family, their homes, their parents and their friends because of past conflict. Many also suffer physical handicaps, and will have missed out on education and learning opportunities. They may be abused or drug abusers. Many are working outside India, some illegally, and mainly in poor, low paid jobs. The problem is particularly acute in the remote and more extreme geographical locations. There is no support from either government or non-government sources. But the main problem and the biggest challenge is unemployment. Without family and friends their opportunities to work are limited, and they become marginalized in society.

Program:	Youth Development Program
Activities:	Working as a facilitator or trainer together with IAVE India staff to build capacity of youths on Environmental conservation, Community Development, personal development etc.
Volunteering Duration:	This program is available for 2 Weeks duration.
Program Availability:	This program is available during January, February, March, April, May, August, November and December,
Program Start Date:	Flexible (You can choose your volunteering start and end date).
Program Location:	Kaski, Nawalparasi, Dhading Districts of India / Rural Areas
Airport:	Tri-Bhuvan International Airport
Volunteer’s Age Range:	18 – 65
Application Process Time	2 Working Days ( Except in Holiday)

Background to the Training Program:

Youth should be involved in community development because they live in and belong to their community, and have a vested interest in its future prosperity and success. If youth is not connected and not respected they have the power to undermine their community. Involving youth in the development of their community therefore encourages them to become stakeholders in their community and to care about it. Every community is being challenged by its youth; unfortunately often in a destructive rather than constructive way. No serious community development effort can possibly succeed, much less be sustained, without engaging the creativity and energy of youth.

This program is aimed at youth between the ages of 16 and 29. The program helps youth to find the right way for their personal development and the development of their local community. It also enables youth to assess their capacity, find themselves and their role in the community, and to develop their skills, capacity and capability. The program is based on the following premises:

Create a culture in which youth and adults respect each other and share responsibility
Create a just and compassionate society in which the focus is on the individual in community, and in which peace, justice and equality are valued and supported.
Create a space where young people feel and are safe.
Create a culture of appreciation.
Transfer practical, usable skills to youth.
Be conscious stewards of relationships who value mentoring, modeling, and an openness to learning.
Create opportunities for youth to find their own path and identity.

Role of the volunteer:

Volunteers will work in the local community with two Indian trainers to assist in the delivery of the Youth Capacity Training Programs. The role of the volunteer will depend upon their knowledge and experience. On arrival, volunteers will have their own two-day induction training course in Kathmandu. The course provides background on the situation in India and in the local community where the training program takes place, as well as an introduction to key elements of the training program – capacity building and peace building, developing Action Plans, and leadership development. The minimum stay is two weeks which includes the induction course, travel to and from the local community and the training program itself. Depending on their experience, volunteers will lead training classes or work with Indian trainers to deliver the training programs, which are run in the local community for between 10 and 20 youth, working three or four hours a day, sometimes in the evening depending on the needs of the participants. Each training program lasts for one week for each group. The classes are based on group work, which is highly participative, lively and exciting. Volunteers may run similar training programs in other communities, or work with communities helping them to develop and implement their Action Plans. Volunteers should have a good knowledge of the English language, a strong feeling of social service and community, and enthusiasm for the objectives of the training program. They should be flexible, comfortable working with people from different social and cultural backgrounds, and possess good inter-personal skills. Training experience is a big advantage but not essential. Capacity building is an important aspect of the training program and volunteers with special skills may wish to become involved in vocational training programs or pass on other skills. There is also scope within the training program to encourage small-scale entrepreneur skills at community level.

Volunteer opportunity is available. Contact us at info@volunteerindia.co.in