YUVA Completes 4 Decades of Leading Social Transformation Efforts
‘युवा ने हमें आवाज़ उठाने के लिए ताकत दिया I’
‘हमारी पहचान बनी, समाज के बंधनो को हमने तोड़ा I’
‘युवा की पहल से हमारी नेतृत्व बनी I’
‘युवा एक चेतना, एक प्रेरणा है !’
– Reflections from the community and staff as we turned 40
On 30 August 2024, YUVA completed four decades since being founded. We have been looking forward to this milestone year, not only to celebrate it but also use this opportunity to reflect on our work over the years with each other.
YUVA’s journey encompasses many struggles, learnings, milestones, and still ongoing journeys. It is made rich by all the diverse people who have contributed to it—from people in marginalised communities, to community leaders, local and government stakeholders, diverse networks and partners, donors, and well-wishers. Throughout the year, we are engaging with different groups of people, to acknowledge each other’s role in changemaking, to critically reflect on stronger partnerships ahead for social justice, and to strengthen our energies with each other’s solidarity support.
The organisation has always believed, jinka sawaal unka netritva (solutions and approaches are best defined by those facing the very issues). Our 40th founding year, takes ahead this theme to spotlight all the efforts from the ground over the past decades with the motto ‘We Lead Change’. We hope our learnings highlight why holistic interventions seeking systemic change are key, along with the focus on marginalised people’s leadership and their development. We also hope our journey inspires other changemakers and brings us in touch with more brave new voices in the field.
In the past few weeks, we have been engaging with community members and local stakeholders, reflecting on the journey so far, and visioning ahead, with strategies to overcome current challenges. Here are some glimpses of how we have observed YUVA40 in bastis so far:
YUVA’s staff also engaged in a visioning exercise recently, with members of the Governing Board and General Body recently. This is critical, given our positioning as a mature organisation within Indian civil society, and with all the shifts in the external environment. Stronger and creative strategy making on leadership, sustainability and partnerships were just some of the touchpoints of the very thought provoking discussion, which will be sharpened ahead. The inputs to visioning reaffirmed our commitment to human rights and social justice, and renewed our energies for the road ahead.
As a participant shared, summing up her experience of engaging in YUVA40 celebrations. ‘It feels like we are in a time machine, having traveled back to the start of YUVA, then to the present, and now we are visioning for the years ahead. Thinking back to look forward helps chart an intentional road ahead’. We remain committed to people’s access of rights!
जय भीम! ज़िंदाबाद!
