International Co-operation
The Department endeavors to create an international perspective among youth in collaboration with other countries and international agencies/organizations on various youth issues. The Department also collaborates with UN Agencies like United Nations Volunteers (UNV)/ United National Development Programme (UNDP) and the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) on various youth related issues.
International Youth Exchange Programme (IYEP)
Against the backdrop of the National Youth Policy objectives, inter-Alia, to create an International perspective in youth and to involve them in promoting peace and understanding, the International Exchange of Youth Delegations has been conceived as an effective instrument.
Under this programme, exchange of Youth Delegations with friendly countries is taken up on reciprocal basis for promoting exchange of ideas, values and culture amongst the youth of different countries and also to develop International understanding.
Other than regular exchange programmes, this Ministry also organize/participate in various summits viz. Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Youth Summit, Youth 20 (Y20), Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meeting (CYMM), Ship for World Youth Leaders Programme (SWYLP), India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Youth Summit, other International Youth Forums/events etc.
UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEER (UNV)
The United Nations Volunteer Programme was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1970 with the objective to provide developing countries with an additional source of qualified and trained manpower at low cost and opportunity to young professionals from all nations to take part in development activities worldwide. This Ministry releases $ 15,000 every year as India’s Voluntary Contributions to UNDP for United Nations Volunteers Programme.
“STRENGTHENING OF NYKS AND NSS” – PROJECT JOINTLY IMPLEMENTED BY DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND UNDP/UNV
MoYAS and UNDP/ UNV agreed on strengthening youth volunteering in India through a joint project titled “Strengthening NYKS and NSS”. The project is aimed at providing catalytic support to the Youth Volunteer Schemes of the MoYAS and intended to facilitate youth participation and voice in peace and sustainable development programmes in order to realization of full social, economic and human potential of youth. The primary objectives of the Project are:
- Strengthen National Youth Volunteer Infrastructure of Department of Youth Affairs (DYA);
- Strengthen capacity of rural youth clubs for increased and diversified opportunities for youth volunteers;
- Increase participation, recognition and contribution of youth volunteers in development process.
The project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS” adopted a collaborative approach and included key partners in designing and implementing it.
- Youth volunteerism promoted as a modality for social mobilization and outreach at district and sub-district levels in 29 pilot districts during Phase-I (2014- 17). The project in phase II (2018-20 & extended upto June, 2022) has now been expanded to 58 districts of India with national UN Volunteer District Youth Coordinators (UNV DYCs) placed. UNV District Youth Coordinators have energised the work of NYKS in the 58 districts and has led to formation of additional youth clubs and innovative ways of engaging youth in volunteering for community development, skills development, and awareness generation on Government of India’s programmes at grassroots levels.
