India calls for greater youth participation in decision-making, development ,innovation
Visakhapatnam : The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with the adoption of a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening youth cooperation and promoting meaningful participation of young people in development.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Sunil Paliwal.
The ministerial discussions built on the outcomes of the BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council Meeting held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on August 19-20.
Addressing delegates, Mandaviya said young people should be treated not merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but as active partners in shaping the future.
“Let us move from youth participation to youth partnership; from consultation to co-creation; from programmes for youth to platforms built with youth,” he said.
He also highlighted initiatives undertaken in India to strengthen youth leadership and engagement, including the MY Bharat platform, which, according to him, has more than 25 million registered youth participating in volunteering, learning, leadership and civic activities.
The minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for developing 100,000 young leaders without a political background to contribute towards India’s development goals leading up to 2047.
The meeting brought together youth representatives, young leaders, policymakers and senior officials from BRICS member and partner countries for discussions on youth development, cooperation and cross-border engagement.
The Joint Statement adopted at the meeting identified several areas for enhanced cooperation, including education, training and skills, youth entrepreneurship, science and technology, innovation, social and cultural participation, volunteering, poverty reduction, health, sports, environmental sustainability and youth inclusion.
The participating countries also stressed the need to create enabling environments for young people to develop their capabilities and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
The discussions further emphasised youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as greater opportunities for cross-border exchanges and sharing of experiences.
As part of the programme, delegates participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive, planting saplings in honour of their mothers.
The delegates also visited the historic Totlakonda Buddhist Monastery near Visakhapatnam, where they were introduced to India’s cultural and civilisational heritage and traditions of peace and harmony.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mandaviya held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in youth affairs and sports, particularly in skill development, youth entrepreneurship and digital platforms for youth engagement.
The sides also explored possibilities for exchange programmes, capacity building and institutional cooperation.
