Message from the Director of DTL Dr. Anurag Mairal, Sewa International USA

Summary

Anurag Madal, president of Seva International Bay Area Chapter, highlights the impact of the 'Design to Lead' program, which began five years ago to provide high school students with a structured approach to addressing unmet community needs in areas like disaster relief, food security, and education. The program fosters socially conscious, empathetic, and problem-solving future leaders. Anurag shares the success of hundreds of young participants, particularly women, who have gone on to achieve great things in their careers. He invites others to mentor and volunteer, contributing to the growth of this impactful movement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Seva International Bay Area chapter started the 'Design to Lead' program to empower high school students in addressing unmet community needs.
• 😀 The program focuses on key areas such as disaster relief, food security, health and wellness, and educational inequity.
• 😀 It aims to provide students with a structured approach to understand and address societal issues effectively.
• 😀 Students work closely with partners, elected officials, and the public sector to brainstorm and implement solutions for the community.
• 😀 The primary goal of the program is to develop socially conscious future leaders who are empathetic and can solve community challenges.
• 😀 The program emphasizes the importance of equipping the next generation with tools to address large-scale societal problems.
• 😀 Anurag Madal, the president of Seva International Bay Area chapter, has seen hundreds of young people go through this impactful program.
• 😀 The program has a higher proportion of young women participants, which is inspiring to see for the future of leadership.
• 😀 Graduates of the program are pursuing higher education, including PhDs, and making an impact in their communities.
• 😀 The program encourages viewers to join the movement by mentoring young leaders or volunteering their time and resources.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the 'Design to Lead' program?

The main purpose of the 'Design to Lead' program is to provide high school students with a structured approach to understanding and addressing unmet needs in the community. It aims to nurture future leaders who are socially conscious and capable of solving societal challenges.

How did the 'Design to Lead' program start?

The program was started five years ago by the Seva International Bay Area Chapter when it became clear that high school students involved in the leadership program needed a more structured approach to understanding and addressing the issues in their communities.

What areas does Seva International focus on through the program?

Seva International focuses on several critical areas, including disaster relief, food security, health and wellness, educational inequity, and other community needs.

How does the program help students address societal challenges?

The program helps students by providing them with the tools to brainstorm solutions to societal challenges. It also involves collaboration with local partners, elected officials, and other community stakeholders to bring these solutions to life.

What is the long-term goal of the 'Design to Lead' program?

The long-term goal of the program is to build a generation of future leaders who are empathetic, socially conscious, and equipped to solve complex problems in a constructive and innovative way.

How has the program impacted the students who participated?

The program has had a significant positive impact on students, with many going on to excel in college or pursue higher education like PhDs. Many alumni are also actively involved in community work, continuing to address social challenges.

Why is there a focus on empowering young women in the program?

The program has seen a higher proportion of young women participating, which is heartening to see. This focus on empowering young women is in line with the broader goal of fostering diverse leadership and ensuring that women have the tools and opportunities to lead in solving social issues.

What challenges does society face in the coming decades, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that the next 25 to 50 years will present significant challenges for society, including complex social, environmental, and political issues. The future leaders of tomorrow need to be prepared to address these challenges effectively.

How can individuals support the 'Design to Lead' program?

Individuals can support the program by volunteering their time, mentoring the students, or becoming involved in the movement to help train the next generation of leaders.

What has been the demographic makeup of the students involved in the program?

The program has seen a diverse group of participants, with a particularly high proportion of young women, which the speaker finds encouraging.