Bangalore : Ashoka Innovators for the Public, which supports the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, has identified 22 teenage changemakers and entrepreneurs from 12 Indian states, including rural areas and small towns, for the second global edition of their Young Changemakers Programme. These teenage changemakers are invited to the final round of selection and they will present their impactful ideas before an eminent panel, in a virtual event on January 9th & 10th, 2021.
The Young Changemakers Programme focuses on the role of young people as influencers and co-leaders. Ashoka has shortlisted these dynamic changemakers from thousands of nominations, whose social initiatives in the fields of environment, human rights, conservation, healthcare, education, and agriculture have not only generated awareness but also changed the livelihoods of people around them. These bright young sparks, are the representatives of this network, which aims to realise a Everyone is a Changemaker (EACH) world.
The Ashoka Young Changemakers selection panel comprises various thought leaders, influencers and seasoned social entrepreneurs who aim at educating and enabling the future generation on ways to realise the objectives of the EACH movement and lead it to a global platform. The first batch of Ashoka Young Changemakers from India who were selected in 2019 have gone on to create opportunities for thousands of students to explore social innovation and changemaking.
Yashveer Singh, Global Director, Young Changemakers Programme, “We at Ashoka believe that we are at the crossroads in history that will be remembered for generations to come. Youth, the native speakers of the global language of this decade, will play a key role to build a better tomorrow. We need to nurture youth of today to respond to the emerging needs of the society by thriving to be a changemaker in this everything-changing world.”
“For this to happen, we need to focus on teenage changemakers who are leading impactful initiatives. Along with Ashoka’s global network of leading social entrepreneurs and partners, these young changemakers will lead the charge to activate the power of India’s youth to solve pertinent problems. The 2nd global edition of the Young Changemakers Programme is a step towards further building an ‘Everyone A Changemaker Team,” added Yashveer.
Out of hundreds of nominations, 22 young individuals between the ages of 12-20 have been selected for the final round to be held on 9th & 10th January, basis their entrepreneurial initiatives and the social impact. These teenagers have launched their own initiatives, built a team of peers, and made positive changes in their communities. After passing multiple rounds of interviews and group discussions at national and international level, they have reached the final selection panel, where they will be evaluated by an independent jury.
The selected changemakers of the programme will be exposed to a global platform where they will be given access to co-leadership boot camps, media partnerships, public speaking platforms, exposure visits, strategic allies, and more opportunities to groom themselves to be the influencers of youth culture in India.
