VONG (Voice of the new generation) movement is about motivating our youth and creating an attitudinal shift. The VONG initiative can help us solve this problem quickly and effectively. What we do is collectively inspire our new generation to raise questions about global issues and understand how they can make a sustainable world. In a way, the new generation would inspire the society to do the same. VONG SDG Café conducted the live event on ZOOM platform with Aashutosh Singal and Abhinav Seth as our guest speakers. Aashutosh Singal is a student at IIT Delhi, EdTech enthusiast and mentor’s students through various platforms. Abhinav Seth is a student at UIET Punjab University, a team coordinator in the Rotaract club Chandigarh Himalayan.
“Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done.”
– G. M. Trevelyan.
A few questions were asked to the guest speakers related to the topic by our host. Here’s the summary of the discussion on “The role of youth in spearheading change”.
What do you guys have in mind when you hear the word ‘youth’?
Youth should not be sized down to age as it’s more about the mindset where you can make a change, not be resistant to feedback, open to listening to others and open to change in general to improve not only yourselves but also the society as a whole. Being youthful also includes exploring new things and getting out of one’s comfort zone.
How does the present generation interpret the word ‘youth’?
This interpretation cannot be brought down to one word. The youth have a potential to do a lot but just needs the right direction. The youth also has a choice to strike a balance between what’s good for them, what they enjoy and what’s good for the country.
Can the youth really make a change?
The youth of today are tomorrow’s leaders, soldiers, administrators, bureaucrats or anyone who can come up with innovative and imaginative ideas and apply them in real life, not only when they reach a position of power but before.
How can students contribute to the development of society and study for the toughest competitive exams at the same time?
Behind all the mugging up of formulas, theory and expressions is the persistence of the student. If the student is persistent and determined to do something then he/she will definitely do it and being young he/she will surely have the energy. 85% of the core skills in your life can drive the change you will bring to the world; the 15 % skills can be easily acquired when you have those core skills with you.
What drives more young students to the Rotaract club Chandigarh Himalayan and how do you ensure that they have the same amount of commitment that you possess to the selfless service to the society?
Rotaract club Chandigarh Himalayan drives the students with fun to uplift the society in a responsible way. If there is anything that you have fun doing then you will do it whenever you can find time for it and it helps you grow in many ways without you knowing. If you want to do something or achieve something, you have to create an environment for it and that is exactly what Rotaract club Chandigarh Himalayan does for its members to elevate the society. These activities also fill the volunteers’ hearts with satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
What is that one single click according to you that would motivate the young people to make a difference in the society?
Making an impact in somebody’s life or even in the society is something that is more than enough to motivate anybody to continue making a difference around themselves. A positive mindset is also very important as it helps in tackling problems and helps you come up with imaginative and innovative solutions. It also helps in spreading the message you are delivering.
What activities that you do in your personal life that helps bring the change that you want to see?
Loving oneself is very important as it brings out that if you are content with yourself, you definitely want to help someone also reach the same place. But even if you are trying to achieve your own goals and are satisfied even then you are making an impact in your own life. People also do things that add value to themselves and end up making an impact. Hence loving oneself and being satisfied is very important. At a personal level Aashutosh prioritizes self-satisfaction over self-love.
What does Sustainability mean to you guys?
“Sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future”. Sustainability is not having high dependence on something and rather being self-propagating with each other so that it is perpetual. For example, we know that coal and gas reserves will be empty but water, sun and wind is something that will continue to exist for eons, so rather than finding new ways to find oil ,we should research on increasing the efficiency of solar panels.
How can individuals contribute to sustainability?
Being self-aware is important and being ignorant also contributes to not being sustainable. Starting to make small changes, be it donating what you use, avoid wasting, segregate what is being waste not only helps you create an impact but also helps you develop soft skills that helps you in every stage of life. Keep yourself informed of the surroundings and try working towards making it better with small steps.
Conclusion
To motivate young adults, there are five aspects: fun, satisfaction, positivity, self-belief and then impact. Live events, webinars and discussions with experts on this pressing societal and environmental problem is the very first step taken by ‘VONG’ to make the youth conscious about these environmental issues and further encourage them to self-learn and reflect their opinions in the society through our platform. We are just one part of making change happen, but we want that part to be significant, open to learning and ready to challenge the issue.
“Youth has no age.”
– Pablo Picasso.
By Akshat Singh-VONGLE Orion Square
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