For democracy to flourish and deliver on its promises-including political participation, human rights, access to justice, a good education, an improved quality of life, a healthy environment, and personal security-its citizens must be informed, engaged, empowered, and assertive. Similarly, institutions of governance must be inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive.
Youth constitute to about 50% of the existing population and considered to be as the most potential resource to bring about a change. As a youth I feel that every young generation of a nation has the willingness to learn, urge to take up tasks and successfully accomplish the task which is taken up. Youth fall in the learning period of a human life cycle and thus are open to learn and impact the people around.
However, youth participation is not solely about developing active citizens or building democracy for the future. It is vital, if participation is to be meaningful for young people, that they can influence and shape decisions and actions when they are young and not only at some later stage in life.
A wonderful initiative by CMCA - Children's Movement For Civic Awareness. An NGO invloved in engaging children in the democratic process & civic issues. They stress on the concept of "Be the change you want to see in the world". Majority of the population falls under the category of "If one person(self) doesn't behave in harmony with people & nature it doesn't make difference, let others take the responsibility". Carrying this attitude each one of us try to pass on the responsibility on others & thus end up no one taking up the responsibility.
To mention a few of their initiatives - Pourakarmika Day, Traffic police Day, World Democracy Day, Water workshop, Environment workshop etc.,
CMCA conducts classes on civic awareness issues for the school children. Till date the private school numbers outraged the government schools. Recently they are collaborating with the government schools & nearby villages to Bengaluru.
To mention a few of their initiatives -
Volunteers are their strengths. Volunteers drive the entire events. They have a fixed set of curriculum on which they will train the volunteers for 3 days. They are very keen on the commitment of the volunteer for at least one full academic year starting from June to February. The volunteer is expected to take the class on civic awareness as per the prescribed modules by CMCA on the weekdays. As these classes fall into the regular time table of the day. Volunteer is expected to take at least 2 - 3 classes per week. Well, it doesn't mean that they are not allowed to take off that space is always given.
As of now they are trying to reach out their programs to the colleges. They would welcome volunteers to take up classes at colleges as well. They will provide a small honorarium & a certificate as well at the end of the program. Conduct various programs that enhance the volunteers skills & knowledge.
Young minds & hearts are easy to mold & shaped in the way required. CMCA focuses on molding these young minds into growing a more responsible & sensible citizens of the nation. Yes, it is very important for each one of us to be equally responsible for whatever happening around us. It's not a big deal to be an active citizen, it just takes the mind to know what's wrong & correct thereby choose to do right with the attitude of taking the responsibility individually.
Had an opportunity to know learn on the women entrepreneurship at AWAKE
AWAKE -Association Of Women Entrepreneurs Of Karnataka. An NGO working in the field of women empowerment since 1996 is situated at Rajajinagar industrial estate.
They are involved in the activities that support & develop the entrepreneurial skills focusing on women. They conduct various training program that support the budding entrepreneurship & also the existing entrepreneurs. Apart from conducting classes they also support the budding entrepreneurs in designing a website for the business, marketing strategies for the promotion of the product, financial support, designing the project proposals, etc. The classes/courses held at AWAKE are at a certain fees. The group comprise of skilled, semi skilled, privileged & less privileged women's who aspire to take up entrepreneurship. The training details are advertised in newspapers, facebook & reach out in person to the slums to attract & motivate the women's to take up entrepreneurship. They work on various projects which their partner NGO's offers them.
They also conduct focused program's like Entrepreneurship Development Program.
As a responsible citizen sensitive to the surroundings around can support & build these women's who are less privileged may be economically but they have all the spirit & courage to take the risk to run a business.
- At present they are carrying on a project under HP to promote computer literacy among the budding women entrepreneurs. They need volunteers who can come on Saturday/Sunday & teach the audience the use of computers which can help them to understand the basics & also the application of the same into their ventures. The volunteer has the liberty to take a call on the topics that one is going to cover. On the similar lines they are looking out for support in teaching English, Photoshop & hardware as well.
- They have a library & they want to set up into a full fledged one. From arranging of the books on the racks to the data to be entered in the database. Basically want to make ease at the users space. New ideas are welcome. Volunteer has the space to experiment & set up the library.
- Case study collection - As they are into the development of the entrepreneurs they are looking out for volunteers to help them collect some case studies which can help them understand the real business conditions.
- Events - They have certain one time event wherein they need help from volunteers to co ordinate the entire program. The layout of the program, setting up a stall in the exhibitions etc. Video recording, photography are also welcome.
- Talks - They are looking out for volunteers who can talk on life skills, personality development talks, stress management, risk management, time management etc.,
Apart from the above mentioned opportunities they are open to give the volunteers an opportunity to conduct any event which can help the women's to enhance their skills in the field of entrepreneurship.
All sounds so small but yes, all these small activities pave way to build an individual & enables one to handle the odds one faces in the journey.
Feel so good to learn about various opportunities in the filed of women entrepreneurship & active citizenship.
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