Role of Youth in Driving Systemic Social Change | Rakesh Saha | TEDxYouth@CIRS

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of tackling systemic problems and the role of young people in driving social change. Highlighting that such challenges often take decades to solve, they stress the need for young people to be actively involved, not just through activism but also by taking ownership of solutions. The speaker emphasizes that true democracy involves ongoing participation and leadership that can be democratized, ensuring sustainability. They also advocate supporting existing organizations working on these issues, concluding that with shared vision and collaboration, solving these problems is not just possible, but inevitable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Solving systemic problems requires long-term commitment, often spanning decades, and patience to address deep-rooted issues.
• 😀 Young people play a critical role in driving change by challenging the status quo and creating new systems.
• 😀 Major social movements in history have been driven by young people, and their involvement is essential for meaningful transformation.
• 😀 True democracy goes beyond voting; it involves active citizenship and taking ownership of issues that directly affect people.
• 😀 People should not view leadership as the role of one individual, but as a shared responsibility that empowers others to lead.
• 😀 Leadership in solving systemic issues should be democratized to ensure continued progress even if the initial leader steps out.
• 😀 It’s essential to collaborate with organizations, such as NGOs and nonprofits, that are already working on the issues you care about.
• 😀 Effective solutions to societal problems require the efforts of many, and the work needs to be sustained over time, even by new leaders.
• 😀 Conflict and friction are often necessary for creating new ideas and systems, and young people excel in fostering that environment.
• 😀 Systemic change is not only about activism but also about practical problem-solving and contributing to existing efforts in meaningful ways.

Q & A

What is the central focus of the speaker's discussion in this script?

The speaker discusses the importance of solving systemic problems and highlights the role of young people in leading and actively participating in these efforts to create lasting change.

How does the speaker view the relationship between conflict and creation?

The speaker believes that conflict is essential for creation. To create something new, like a new world or system where current problems do not exist, there needs to be friction and challenges to the status quo.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of young people in solving social issues?

Young people are crucial in solving social issues because they have the ability to challenge existing norms, initiate conflict, and drive new movements. The speaker refers to history, where youth have often been at the forefront of social change.

What does the speaker mean by 'democratizing leadership'?

Democratizing leadership means ensuring that leadership is not concentrated in one person but is shared and accessible to many. This ensures continuity in solving systemic problems, even after the initial leaders step away.

How does the speaker critique the current understanding of democracy?

The speaker critiques the belief that democracy is only about voting every few years. Instead, they argue that true democracy requires active citizenship, where individuals engage with and take responsibility for solving the issues that affect them.

What is the speaker's stance on activism?

The speaker recognizes activism as an important aspect of social change but emphasizes that it is not the only solution. They encourage young people to also look for ways to contribute to the practical solving of problems, such as by working with nonprofits or NGOs.

Why does the speaker stress the need for a long-term approach to solving problems?

The speaker points out that many of the problems we face will take 20 years or more to solve. This long timeframe requires sustained effort and leadership, rather than expecting quick fixes.

How does the speaker suggest young people can directly contribute to solving social issues?

Young people can contribute by joining and supporting NGOs, working directly on issues they care about, and contributing their skills and efforts to organizations already tackling these challenges.

What does the speaker mean when they say solving these problems is 'inevitable'?

The speaker suggests that if everyone works together under a shared vision and goal, solving these systemic issues will not just be possible, it will be unavoidable and certain to happen.

What is the role of NGOs and nonprofits in the speaker's vision of solving systemic problems?

NGOs and nonprofits are seen as key players in solving systemic problems. The speaker encourages people to engage with these organizations, as they are already fighting the battles that align with the issues individuals care about.