YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: SITUATING CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PARADIGM

Abstract

Youth development is possible if their participation is ensured in social, civic and political processes which are increasingly recognized as an important developmental objective. However, evidence shows that the extent to which youth participate in such processes and the factors that facilitate it remain inadequate in most developing countries including India.  Hence civil society organisations came into continuation to catalyse the youth development. Civil society in contemporary times has led a wider impact in the society in the form of social and political mobilization. It has impacted people’s participation in the democratic sphere of raising their voice for the rights which are often not fulfilled by the state. The role of civil society has influenced the youth and institutions to come together and bring social change in the form of advocating for their rights, demanding justice and execution of rights from the state and influencing public policies. The paper seeks to study the role of civil society in youth development vis-à-vis in the formation of vibrant society, which is proactive for their rights. It also attempts to analyse the perception of youth towards civil society.  Besides, it examines the pro-active role of civil society in bringing social change and how civil society channelizes youth to participate in processes of social change & developmental process, as well as agents of mobilization among them in reducing disparity and access to justice