Conference for Youth Development Concludes in New Delhi

Conference for Youth Development Concludes in New Delhi

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports here today organized a daylong Brain Storming Session in New Delhi to generate ideas for Youth Development and empowerment. Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel inaugurated the Conference. Speaking on the occasion Shri Goel said India is one of the youngest nations in the world, with about 65% of the population under 35 years of age. He said, this ‘Demographic Dividend’ offers a great opportunity. He said, the challenge before the nation is to develop and empower its huge youth population as productive work force. This would, inter-alia, involve, providing to the youth the right education, necessary skills to make them employable, to develop them as entrepreneurs, to make them healthy individuals, to inculcate right social and moral values.

Shri Goel said, all-round development and empowerment of youth is a national endeavour, in which the Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments as well as non-Government organisations have to contribute. He said, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has an important role to play, as an enabler, coordinator and facilitator in this direction.

Referring to the initiatives Shri Goel said, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Government has embarked on the mission of building a united, strong and modern India. He said a number of new initiatives have been taken including Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Smart Cities Project and Swachh Bharat Mission.

The Objective of the conference today was to discuss and generate ideas for youth development and empowerment so that the current schemes, programmes and interventions can be improved upon. Some of the suggestions given during the conference were value promotion among youth, mentorship for youth to give them right guidance, revamping of youth organisations such as NSS and NYKS with changing times and an inclusive approach, engagement of Youth in policy formulation and in activities and programmes so that they should not stray and contribute in the mainstream of the society. Referring to North-East, the participants suggested more Youth Centric schemes for the region and involvement of Youth to address the environmental issues. Some other suggestions were to impart digital training for development of Youth, women focused programmes for Young girls and launch of innovative programmes with the help of CSR funding.

More than one hundred participants from civil society organisations, NGOs, Experts, Young leaders, senior officials from the Ministry, representatives from autonomous organisations such as NYKS, NSS, RGNIYD, representatives of NCC, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Hindustan Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society and Eco Clubs, representatives of UN bodies in India UNDP, UNV and UNFPA, working for the youth took part in the Conference.

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