BACKGROUND
Each individual has the potential to transform entire neighborhoods and communities for the better in areas such as environmental awareness or encouraging people to be democratically involved by casting their vote.
Through their engagement, people of all ages across India can use the medium of creative arts, music, debate, dance, social media campaigns, sport and more to encourage people to be more democratically involved in their respective election processes and make a difference in their communities. That is active citizenship.
Youngistaan Foundation is getting involved in active citizenship among India’s urban youth because of the huge potential that this demographic has in creating change for good. We are passionate about encouraging and mobilizing young people, especially urban youth, to get involved in the democratic process and cast their vote.
OUR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP WORK
Youngistaan Foundation provides a platform for people – especially young people – to voice their opinions about the issues that matter to them and to come up with solutions together that will benefit people. In addition to campaigns around election time, we are focused on creating dialogue among young people by organizing sessions on active citizenship in schools, colleges, local communities and other places.
We have worked with young people to highlight various issues and make a difference in our communities:
Active Citizenship Sessions
We held an active citizenship session with school students and had an interactive discussion on fundamental rights, women’s safety, child rights, the right to a clean environment and much more. Click on the image to watch a recap of the session and if you want us to hold an active citizenship session in your school, college, workplace or community, get in touch with us!
#ActiveCitizenship Discussion on Twitter Spaces
We held a Twitter Spaces discussion on active citizenship with speakers from Janaagraha and Youngistaan Foundation. Over 450 participants from around the world joined the session and asked 20 engaging questions on democracy, voting and active citizenship. Listen to the Twitter Spaces discussion and read more about the session here!
Telangana LET’S VOTE!
Youngistaan Foundation conducted 4 activities in November and December 2018 to encourage young people to cast their vote in the Telangana State elections in 2018. The 4 activities of the Telangana LET’S VOTE included:
- a stand-up comedy event in Filmnagar attended by 150 young people
- a slam poetry event in Jubilee Hills that 200 people attended
- a music concert featuring local retro band Caprico and fusion band Threeory in Jubilee Hills attended by 2,000 people and live-streamed with an online audience of 10,000 people
- and a social media campaign that reached 20,000 people across all platforms with the hashtags #telanganaletsvote #telanganaelections2018 #festivalofdemocracy
GHMC Elections
We also supported the Telangana GHMC elections in December 2020 by mobilizing 2,000 volunteers at the poll stations to assist senior citizens, people with disabilities and other voters to ensure a smooth voting process. The assistance we provided was authorized by GHMC.
GET INVOLVED
Do you have an idea and want to use your skills (be it music, artwork, writing or more) to encourage others to be active citizens? Get in touch with Youngistaan Foundation as a volunteer to share your ideas and transform lives. Read more here and send us a message!
KEY FACTS
- India has the largest population of young people in the world with 356 million people aged 10-14 – United Nations Population Fund
- 67% of the population cast their vote in the 2019 General Election
- More women voted in the latest General Election than ever before
FURTHER READING
What Is Active Citizens? | British Council
Youngistaan Foundation Program Brochure
NEWS COVERAGE
Hyderabad-Based NGO Organises Stand Up Comedy, Slam Poetry To Raise Awareness On Voting | The News Minute | 26 November 2018
Not Voting? Joke’s On You | Times of India | 30 November 2018
