The advanced training aimed at capacity building of about 21 youth from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and implications of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation. Over the course of five days, youth engaged in sharing the positives and challenges of Globalisation; understanding corporatisation; and the impact of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation. Besides, Mr Deepak Srinivasan, artist from Ranga Bhumi gave a new experience to the youth by taking them on nature walk, exploring senses and mapping tools for learning and experiences in the morning sessions.
Fr Selvaraj Arulnathan SJ, Director, ISIB enlightened the youth on the topic, Understanding Corporatisation. He explained to them about crony capitalism in today’s India. How the corporate sector dominating the economy resulting in the increase of poverty among the marginalised communities. The accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few is clearly shows that there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor in India. The privatisation of public sectors is another worse situation leading to the monopoly of political power in the hands of few. Youth demonstrated through a chart presentation, how the corporate monopolise the economy.
Prof Paul Newman spoke on the positives and challenges of Globalisation. He said, on the one hand, Globalisation has boosted job creation, paved way for technological advancement and given access to global markets. But looking at the challenges, we could see economic disparities, environmental degradation, loss of cultural identity and vulnerability to global economic trends.
Krishnaveni A, youth participant told that in her village in Tamil Nadu have no proper roads, connectivity to city and other necessary basic facilities. There is economic disparity in India when it comes to development. The rural poor are even today are neglected. The political leaders are not really looking into the real issues of rural poor and are incapable of providing facilities for a dignified life.
Vinith V, another youth participant said, “I come from rural place in Tamil Nadu and the reality is that still the poor in my community have no proper access to basic amenities like housing, water and electricity. Though we live in modern India, there still poverty in rural India. We need to continue to raise our voices against the discrimination of poor in society”.
Dhanna, from Katukapalli, a tribal village in Andhra Pradesh said, “We still live in forest and there is disconnect between the people living in the modern society and us. Technological advancement has not reached all. For us it is a dream never come true”.
Sagarika from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh said, “I want job. And I want educated youth in rural palces to get job done. Infact, Globalisation has boosted job creation but it has not reached the rural poor”.
Fr Francis Balaraj SJ
Social Inclusion and Democracy