Stand alone with pride

Youth leadership is the need of the hour, and will come about when we break free.

Break free from th pack, from the peers, from the taboos and from any efforts to curtail freedom. As a leader every young person must stand alone and challenge oneself to live up to ones own expectations. Need to look ahead, think fresh and be honest to yourself. Often they say, it is very lonely on top, this makes us follow the herd and often fall down from the pedestal of leadership.

Challenging young people everywhere is the only way to build leadership. Need of the hour to enable and equip each to his ability and become a leader. True leadership is to find what makes you stand out and then doing all to make it happen.

Stand up, live your dreams and lead without fear, each follower looks for a leader, the opportunity is endless. Lead on and you will stand up with pride.

Sandeep Dutt
Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Take the first step

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." 
- Martin Luther King Jr.


The first step is all that it takes... the toddler starts to run and then moves to gather momentum. Our young people need only one spark to light the fire within. Adults though hesitant to let go, need to understand that a spark creates phenomenal combustible energy, and to challenge young people is our only step to take the world ahead. If it was not for the initiative, there would be no innovation and invention. Need to show the first step alone and then the young will overcome all the challenges and will make the way for us to follow.


Young people think fresh and have no delusion or any baggage to carry. We must give an opportunity to them to build on their talents, and motivate them to excel. Sports, adventure and skills are fantastic opportunity to enable young people, beyond simple academic excellence. We have to challenge young to perform and than rest will all happen...With opportunity comes solutions, there is need to exploit every opportunity and find solutions to enable the young and push them with baby steps to go all the way...

Young is all about choices

"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
- J. K. Rowling


J. K. Rowling has understood the mind of the young very well, and in the last decade has transformed from a teacher to one of the most celebrated authors for young people. The Harry Potter books have in fact been read by all ages, and this affirms the quest for fun and more so be young always! 


We have to think young to be with the young, and this is a challenge for most adults. The youth has a freshness that must be allowed to pervade, the mentors, guides, peers and those trying to guide the young, must challenge the young to self discover and lead. The magical world of Harry Potter has given new insights to the fun and learning the young need. The adventure, curiosity, skills and the need to be fit are well elucidated in the life of Harry and the characters of the famous Potter novels. The young are working on fresh scripts and innovating always, and the adult mentors need to pay heed to their needs and motivate them. The ability of the young to rebel, the free flow of their action and the need to question; are all positive attributes and we need to work our way to help them evolve.


The need for fun, that is paramount has to be much appreciated and this is what we find in the Harry Potter books too. The word fundamental, too has 'fun' in the first three letters and the 'mental' post that. The adults often are a road block in the quest for fun, and this is a challenge for all of us. Let us learn from the adventures of the young help build a better world.

Attempt the impossible

"The young do not know enough to 
be prudent, and therefore they attempt 
the impossible -- and achieve it, 
generation after generation." 
- Pearl S. Buck

Challenging young people everywhere, is the only way to build a better world. The examples of the Silicon Valley, youth in Sports, and young in the army, the adventure bound… all prove a point that the adult boundaries have no meaning for the young. The age and the prudence make us more cautious and often this is a deterrent to change. We need to let the impossible happen and the youth spirit pervade.

Impossible though comes before possible, and once the possible happens, there is belief. Why are we then there to thwart the attempt to impossible, as adults we must work as catalyst and empower young people? 

Innovating new models for youth development

We have to find new ways to work with youth, and involve them effectively with the community. The young not only need to challenge themselves, mentors and adults have to find new ways to excite the young through adventure, sports, service and skill development. Time and again the young have been the target of evil design and the ills that scourge the society. By innovating and communicating effective we are sure to help them lead themselves to a better tomorrow and live a great today.

Youth and Sports, an exhibition running at the British Council Queen's Gallery in New Delhi, has made me delve deep and further see a new horizon. The mind boggling photos and the rocking youngsters displayed at the photo show, reaffirms the power of expression and change the youth can bring about. Skating to new heights, running for life, better health with yoga, break dance, ski down slopes, jump from the sky ... the sky is indeed the limit!

We are working to help equip the youth for life, and need to not only re-invent our process and programmes, but to look at life from the eyes of the young. They must be pushed to lead us and support their quest for life. This will involve thinking fresh always, and finding new ways for engaging with young all across the spectrum of society.

Sandeep Dutt

The stream of Youth

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not by strength but by perseverance."
- H. Jackson Brown

Youth like the stream flow on, the adults who sometimes may be perceived as rocks, do need to give way. Young people have vitality and dreams; the role of mentors is to be enablers, and to appreciate the song of the stream. Dreams like good wine must be appreciated, and the youth dream must be lived.

Young people will express themselves, when given an open canvass, whether to follow their passion or to innovate a new way of life. Creativity must not be stifled, the mentors must give every opportunity to challenge themselves and once the stream flows on to form the river the change will happen.

The youth will lead us to a better world, and history is replete with examples. Most warriors, sport persons, innovators... have all been in the young years of 14 to 25, we must thus ensure we offer the most positive impetus to equip them for life, and encourage them to participate in outward bound activities, community service, sports and develop skills.

GenNext Today

GenNext is not all about moolah 

Survey Dispels Stereotypes 

TIMES INSIGHT GROUP 


Indias urban whiz kids may be quite different in reality from the picture many of us may have of spoilt brats who spend hours on the internet and the rest of their time splurging on movies and the like.They may also not be as money-obsessed in their career aspirations as they are often made out to be.
A survey of 10,000 children from classes VIII to XII or ages 12 to 18 spread across 11 cities in India has found that over 60% spend on average less than an hour a day on the net and 83% get less than Rs 1,000 a month as pocket money,about two-thirds getting less than Rs 500.
Interestingly,when it comes to career aspirations,the thing most kids wanted from their jobs was new skills,followed by an interesting workplace.A good salary came third in the list of considerations they had.So much for the much-lamented materialism of the new generation.
The choice of careers too is quite different from a generation ago.While IT and engineering were cited among the choices by about 80%,what was revealing was that medicine (39%) is now way down in the pecking order,below even government service (46%).The third preference is media & entertainment (64%).

Award Programme Foundation

www.IAYP.in

Sent from my iPad

Learn to make way

When you give right of way, you move ahead!

As we go about our daily lives, we are often challenged with traffic jams or road blocks as some would call them. The only way ahead is not to be hedonistic or struggle, just simply give way and you will move ahead. Young people are often challenged by adults and do not get their way, the adults need to understand and give way, the young today know what they want and we have to team up with them for the better future.

The Y-generation thinks fresh, they have no baggage and the adults must respect their right of way in the world. The mentors and guides should not be road blocks, but need to give way to the ideas and help young people ease through the traffic of challenges they face in the world today. The pressure cooker we live in often closes our mind to fresh thought and this is the end of learning and growth. Those who think fresh, stay young always.

Best way to make way, challenge oneself to accept others right of way. No challenge is inrumountable, the youth know this and we must help them lead and make way.

Looking Ahead 2011 -2013

IAYP-India Aims to Achieve the following:

∙         Work with partner organisations to implement a strategic growth plan and work with emerging and existing NAAs to continue to strengthen the Award Programme through training and capacity building helping to deliver the Award to all young people in India

∙         Look at key areas for Award growth impetus including raising the profile and developing dynamic partnerships to extend the reach of the Programme

∙         Continue to establish Open Award Centres and YES Centres – to encourage the participation of youth in the 18 - 25 age groups

∙         Increase reach and capacity in schools and colleges to keep more young people at school and increase year 13 completion rates

∙         Encourage more volunteers and mentors to actively participate in running the Award Programme

∙         Develop capacity on the ground with more resources, including additional development officers to engage additional community partners, train  new Award leaders, enlist new mentors, and encourage more participants

∙         Increase participation and achieve 30,000 active participants in 2011, and by 2013 need to have reached out to 5,00,000 young people in India

∙         Have in place the central database which will provide better management of all Award participants and their Award Programmes.

Inputs from Heidi Hennessy, Fund Raising Manager IAA and IAYP Strategic Plan

www.sdutt.com
Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Aim of Youth Engaging Society (YES)

•Help build patriotic sentiment in youth

•Resolve problems

•Advocate issues / champion causes

•Offer the youth a voice

•Youth involvement

•Human capital development

•Agency for change

•Enabler of Youth learning

•Platform for training and development

IAYP is the most adaptable and successful youth empowerment program. We have no religious, political or strategic affiliations. We have an established capacity for identifying hard issues and challenges associated with youth. Our framework is used by schools, youth organisations, community groups, correctional services, employers and government departments nationwide. Around the world, over 130 countries use this model for positive youth empowerment.

Our vision is to equip for life all young Indians  and to help achieve their full potential, through access and participation in The Award Program.  We see the possibility of a nation where every school offers young Indian the opportunity to be rewarded for challenging themselves, rewarded for engaging with adult mentors, rewarded when finishing school, and rewarded for giving back to their communities. We are a high-performing and responsive organisation that already rewards our participants for these things. We help connect young Indians with new opportunities to change their world.

Victory for the young person

"Victory belongs to the most persevering." Napoleon

The IAYP India in addition to Zones, now has licensed operators in business and social sectors.

1. Zones have their strength in the Schools delivery model. The Schools are the main stay, and are doing good work.

2. YES Centres help in promoting and building the quality of the Award, they provide access to participants through the Open Centre.

3. YES Business Partners are the adventure operators, who are trained to serve the needs of the Programme, and also help individuals join in.

4. Special Projects are supported by the National Office and help young people get equipped for life, they are supported with resources too.

5. Corporate sector employs young people, and is working to build participation and help engage young people effectively.

With a good supply chain, and infrastructure we are sure to provide the Award to young people more effectively. All of us are sailing together for only one goal, the young participant who must be equipped for life. We have more brand awareness and the whole country will deliver the Award with the same look and feel, as the production and distribution of all materials are now from the National Office alone.

Yes, as we are all persevering to build the Award in India, we will succeed, victory for the young participant is the only reality.
Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Empower the youth

Harbinger of change is the youth. We all are entrusted to engage with the young and bring about positive change. The more we engage with the youth, the higher is the energy quotient to empower them.

There is no dearth of stories to enlighten us, leaders all over the world are using youth power to achieve their goals. It is imperative for them to honour their commitment to make the world a better place for the young, good education must empower the young to care for the community, enjoy the nature and be fit to lead. There is thus the pressing need to equip and reward the young with their rightful due.

Let us all make youth empowerment our only goal, for a great today and an even better tomorrow.

Award Programme Foundation
http://www.iayp.in/

Champions

Champions are not people who never fail...
But
People who never QUIT...
Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Youth live for today!

We work for making a better tomorrow but when tomorrow comes instead of enjoying it, we start thinking for a better tomorrow. Be sensible, live for the day, the mantra from youth! Tomorrow never comes Enjoy TODAY.
Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Fun the key to learning

In our penchant for structure and uniform delivery, we adults often miss out the fun element in learning. To keep youth engaged the key is to ensure that they have a rollicking time and are challenged to perform. There is the pressing need for adults to mentor with the most positive attitude.

Outward bound experiences help the young learn more effectively; nature's classroom offers real time learning, be it chemistry, geography, physics, biology...look out and we will find we live it all in our daily lives. Today, the educational process and many curriculum use open learning and experiential methods to deliver the needs of school or college education. There is the pressing need for adults to find that spark which will ignite the mind of their pupil. Once we find this learning becomes fun.

When we shoot a soccer ball; mathematics, physics, kinesthetic...and many more subjects and physical principles are exhibited. An adult needs to find the use of theoretical knowledge in everyday life and then only The young will find the need for knowledge and the education process more appropriate for daily living.

Out serving the community; life skills of other communities  and understanding the needs of others makes education more meaningful. When we interact with different communities we not only become better human beings, but are exposed to history and practices refined over thousands of years. This itself makes learning more enjoyable.

Follow your heart, make the most of the skills you imbibe and have fun!

Learning from youth

All lessons are for the youth and from the youth! The energy of life is the true youth, and this is what keeps us all young. The only way to make a better world is to effectively engage youth, and provide them the best possible mentoring to learn and lead a life of fun and adventure.

We are working for a better world and youth is the true innovation that will make this happen. It is imperative to enable the young to live in harmony with nature and to create a positive community environment. As adults we need to learn what the true needs of the young are, this will not enable us to fulfill our role as mentors but enhance our skills and further strengthen the system to bring about positive change.

Young adults are the leaders of change, and the Award Programme enables positive action. There is no pecuniary reward at the end of the learning rainbow, and there is no end for learning. We all have to partner and motivate the young to lead us.


Award Programme Foundation
www.iayp.in

Building passionate communities

India has a very strong family support system and we are inherently a very compassionate and caring community. All are welcome has been the main stay and more the merrier has been the spirit! The quest for a better life and the consumer culture spawned by the economic boom, is creating new challenges for communities and society. As we move away from our family, our community, our city and head for the fruits of economic boom and globalization, the youth too face many challenges.

Away from home town, in a new metropolis and maybe a new country, the young person is often at sea, and find it hard to lead a zestful life. The stress and challenges of long work hours, the constant connectivity and the need to out smart our peers, all make life a big challenge. To help our young and emerging leaders, there is need for us to offer an environment to enable the youth live their passion. Be it sports, skills, service to the community or even the outward bound activities; the best way to help young people overcome the challenges of life is to support them to be passionate about what they do, and help each individual find her or his own true self.

Youth and passion are a crucible for change, any change in the world be it positive or even negative cannot happen without youth action. The revolutions, economic or even military might all taps  on the energy of the youth. The inherent spirit to fathom the unknown is there in the young, and adults must be the mentors to encourage the youth to bring about positive action. The academic system and the work environment is inherently made of marks and measures, and often does not deliver a good quality of life. There is the need to encourage the young to follow their passion, get involved in their true quest and find the hidden talent. Today we see opportunity in sports, service, skills and outward bound activity as the way to help youth discover themselves. Young are today innovating to find new socially sustainable models to help community, they find working with outward bound agencies and building social networks with common interest most meaningful.

Human development is not about marks, and we need to offer the positive environment to help young lead a life full of passion, help them follow their heart and do what they find most meaningful. There are countless examples of young people who did not fare well in the marks system, but followed their passion and added phenomenal value in fields of social work, skills and inventions too. As we in India now find that innovation is the only answer to build a strong economy, it is even more imperative we let the youth follow their passion and we adults need to foster an open mind and work towards building new communities and groups to help youth overcome the challenges faced when they have to move out of the comfort zone and venture away from the family and community.

Let us all work to challenge young people everywhere and help them equip, empower and engage with society to build passionate communities.

Youth are the crucible for change

We all must appreciate the needs of the youth and empower them for a better future. Young leaders who are well equipped will create a better world. Let us work for youth engaging society in the most positive way.
Award Programme Foundation
www. iayp.in

Celebrating the spirit of youth!

The Award Programme Foundation (APF)  is committed to engage, equip, empower and reward the youth in India. The International Award for Young People (IAYP) first introduced in India in the year 1962 in select public schools, today spans the full expanse of India and has near 400 operating units. The Award Programme has grown with the phenomenal contribution of the four Zones in India, being a pure Volunteer fueled, this is indeed creditable and affirms the able leadership of many individuals and school principals who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. We are sure to celebrate the 50 years of the Award in India, with much enthusiasm and great participation.

The Patron of the Award Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Honourable Vice President of India is very keen for the programme to reach out to youth from all sections of the Indian society. 2010 will be go down as a memorable year for us, as there is a renewed focus on the youth, and we look forward to addressing the needs of the young from 14 to 25, with active participation from all the stakeholders for for youth development - the Government, Corporates, Social Sector, the Schools and the Colleges. Mrs. Naina Lal Kidwai, the Chairperson of APF and an International Trustee is very enthusiastic and has been instrumental in setting in place the stage for the fun and excitement! The National Award Office has been set up in New Delhi and the Trustees are all working to build the IAYP Programme, to further the object of making this a Programme of choice for all young people. Mr. Analjit Singh, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Mr. Ishaat Hussain, Mrs. Mala Ramadorai and Dr. Sanat Kaul, the Trutees are all doing their bit to help make the Programme available to all. 


The Trust has set up the national office in New Delhi and with support from friends and well wishers of IAYP India, have put in place a youthful team as well as the necessary infrastructure to further the aim to ‘equip for life’ half a million young people in India, between 2010 and 2013. With very good support from business and social sector, the Team is confident to further help grow the Award and make it all inclusive. The focus is not only to roll out the Programme to the private schools and colleges, but to welcome into the fold young people who are challenged for resources, through the Indian Special Projects initiative.
The Award must be available to all, with wide choice and with good quality delivery.


One very major initiative has been to set up six centres for training and development, known as YES Centres. The centres not only offer the Programme to the young people, but work to build resources to help wider participation from the community and and ensure quality delivery by innovating new ways to help preserve programme quality. The YES Centres are geographically well spread across India, and will prove a big asset to the Zones that operate from New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai. These Centres will serve as pockets of excellence and help build the programme and extend the reach of the Award to the 18 - 25 ages as well as the Special Projects, like the Salam Balk Trust, Olcott Memorial School, Emanuel Ministries and many more in the years ahead.


Delhi University, HSBC India, Max India, WWF, RLSS and the British Council are lead partners of the Award, and are helping reach out to new areas and working to make the Award Programme a premier youth programme, for inclusive social growth, and Equip for life the young of India, as per the aims of the National Youth Policy. 

It is all about the youth!

Welcome to a space, where we work with heart and soul and hope to engage youth more purposefully. Our mission is to equip for life and offer a platform for adults and volunteer to work towards understanding the needs of young people.