The Indian Social Institute, Bangalore (ISI B), widely known for its ‘Training and Resource’ based engagement, organized a ‘One-day Consultation with like-minded NGO partners of South India’ on ‘Basic Capacity Building of Rural Youth’ in South India. this consultation was held on June 22, 2024 at ISI premises. This basic module of 6 different training programs will span for two years, 2024-2026.
This programme aims at building rural youth with social knowledge on Indian social scenario in social, economic, political, and cultural realms with analytical and critical perspective who will, in turn, take up local leadership for mobilizing and conscientizing the marginalized communities for an empowered future. The institute was thrilled to see 52 NGO Heads/ representatives from all the 6 southern states, 15 NGOs from Kerala; 10 from Karnataka; 12 from Andhra and Telangana; and 15 from Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry. They were determined to take forward the mission of ISI B in ‘marching with the marginalized’ for an empowered society along with Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit, which engages in building leadership among the rural youth in southern India.
In addressing the participants, Dr. Selvaraj Arulnathan, Director, Indian Social Institute focused on ‘critical thinking’ among the youth today in understanding the social problems and addressing them. He said, the institute through ‘capacity building’ will build a strong ideology, based on principles of Constitution and Democracy and prepare them to protect and promote Constitution, build vibrant Democracy and bring social change in their communities by legitimately claiming their space to enjoy basic human rights privileges which are their constitutional rights. Fr Anthony Dass, Vice-President, Fr Denzil Fernandes, Head, Peace and Reconciliation also appreciated the NGOs for their keen interest in being part of this initiative. This is a great opportunity to train the energetic youth, they said.
This unique ‘partnership model’ built Trust and Confidence, developed a shared understanding of the mission, preference to vulnerable communities being value driven, transparency, collaboration and complementarity, constructive dialogue, common ownership, and adhering to ethical principles and policies i.e, Policy against sexual harassment and safeguarding.
This program aims at imparting knowledge and perspective-oriented value-based stand on 6 themes which form the Basic Modules of Workshop namely, i. Self and Society, ii. Democracy and Citizenship, iii. People’s Entitlements, iv. Understanding and Reducing Vulnerabilities, v. Women and Mother Earth and Participation and vi. Accountability along with online trainings all of which will lead the rural youth to become agents of social change to build an egalitarian society.
The institute started this capacity building of youth programme in 2017-2022 which lasted as Batch I and Batch II started in 2022-2024 and now, we are stoutly entering into Batch III which will go till April 2026. ISI B has trained more than 1000 youth in partnership with more than 150 NGOs in South India since 2017 as our report card speaks. This will continue in the future until we train all rural youth for a sustained and empowered social ethos.
Francis Balaraj SJ
Head, Social Inclusion and Democracy