Yesterday was International Youth Day. In 2000, the United Nations declared this day as International Youth Day which aims to celebrate the contributions of young people around the world and to raise awareness about the challenges they face. Each year, there’s a specific theme that highlights different aspects of youth issues, ranging from education and employment to mental health and climate change. This year the theme for International Youth Day 2024 is “Building a Better Future: The Role of Youth in Shaping Sustainable Development”. This theme emphasizes the crucial role that young people play in driving sustainable development and addressing global challenges. It highlights the importance of empowering youth to contribute to solutions for issues like climate change, social inequality, and economic instability.
Whenever one thinks of ‘youth,’ it sounds synonymous with the word ‘energy.’ I witness it amply within the University Campus of Symbiosis. Especially, at a time when inductions are happening at all the institutions of Symbiosis, I am happy to see new faces every day. The energy that these young minds bring to the campus, brightens up the atmosphere.
Another word that I relate to the youth is adaptability. Recently, during the Festival of Thinker Lecture Series, a young and dynamic IAS Mr. Tukaram Mundhe came to address the students on the topic – The Change Maker. He himself is considered quite a change maker and during his address to the youth he urged them to question the status quo and find solutions to problems. This is exactly what youth should do. The older generations get set in their thoughts and actions, but it is the youth who have the ability to think fresh and find new age solutions. They are the initiators and therefore play a big role in introducing others to change.
Through the Symbiosis Community Outreach and Programme Extension, and other institutions, students collaborate with universities from various countries such as Japan and Singapore, to find solutions to the problems faced by the villagers in and around the Symbiosis campus at Lavale. When youth get down to the grassroots then they can resolve the nation’s problems.
This year’s theme aligns with broader global goals, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It seeks to inspire and mobilize young people to engage in and lead initiatives that foster a more sustainable and equitable world, which is also the motto of Symbiosis-Vasudhaiva Kutmbakam.