Youth-focused social enterprise gives the young a novel way to have their voices heard, creating a platform where they can brainstorm ideas and seek help from private and state sector mentors.
Thailand’s first-ever “Youth In Charge” platform says it is gaining momentum in its quest to ignite society’s awareness of youth power as a force for moving the country forward. The platform gives the young a means to develop their ideas and pitch them to authorities, which should help them to have a stake in the future, its backers say. Developed by IN THE LEAD social enterprise, “Youth In Charge” platform was launched two years ago after the team decided it must provide a space for the younger generation so they could turn their ideas into action.
A group of young leaders from various backgrounds and age groups were invited to join the first Youth In Charge Leadership Academy last October. A six-month leadership development project enhanced the youths’ ability to express their ideas. They worked under the close advice of mentors, themselves young professionals drawn from many state agencies. Meanwhile, companies have also offered their assistance on developing successful business models. The young people work on developing ideas of interest to them, such as the environment, local tourism development, innovations, mental health, promotion of Thailand’s soft power and more.
Youth In Charge a success
Erica Maesincee, co-founder of Youth In Charge and CEO of IN THE LEAD (Social Enterprise) Co, said the project has notched up successes resulting from close cooperation among all stakeholders, including educational institutes, state-owned agencies and the private sector, especially the young in workshops. She said the youth’s power is miraculous because they have pure spirit and focus on achieving their goals, especially in their strong determination to make society a better place. But the problem is there is normally no space for them to express their opinions or thoughts. Moreover, their voices have rarely been heeded by the authorities, which is a big obstacle to closing the gap between the younger and older generations.
“That gap is a challenging issue. We have seen youth movements take aggressive forms because their voice has never been heard. This platform is a new channel where many generations can work together to achieve a common goal: forging a better future for all,” she said. She said the government should create more space for the young so they can propose ideas to shape the future, by setting up working groups led by the young so their voices get recognised by the government.
Thananchakorn Santipornthada, a 22-year-old student in the Faculty of Social Science, Srinakharinwirot University, who has been without eyesight since birth, said the project has inspired her to think about how to get to know herself better.
“The project has provided a space for people from different backgrounds to work together until they get the job done,'' she said. “We have found so many challenges but we overcome them through various methods. We have also received helpful suggestions regarding our project from experienced people”.
Youth APEC project necessary
Ms Erica said her company was also launching a project called “Youth APEC: Amplify Your Voices, Amplify Your Ideas, Amplify Your Impact”.
The project is granted action research fund from the National Research Council Thailand to build up Youth Empowerment Ecosystem.
This project aims to provide Thai youths nationwide the opportunity to share their ideas for balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth in their communities through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic development model.
The project is in line with the APEC meeting planned for November this year and BCG is expected to be one of main topics addressed by APEC leaders at the APEC Summit under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance”.
Recently, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Innovation Agency (NIA) and the Science Park Network under the Science Park Promotion Agency. These organisations will co-host “Regional Youth Symposiums” from May to July, where youths in each area can present their ideas on how to develop the BCG economy in the context of their hometowns.
Ms Erica said conclusions from the Regional Youth Symposiums will be presented by youth representatives to the country's leaders during the APEC Summit.
“Their proposals should be taken into consideration and put into action,” she said. “Their voices should be heard and they should play a leading role in building their future”.
The Regional Youth Symposiums are expected to be organised at the Regional Science Park network, comprising the Northern Science Park at Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, the Northeastern Science Park at Khon Kaen University in Khon Kaen, the Lower Northeastern Science Park at Suranaree University of Technology in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Eastern Science Park at Burapha University in Chon Buri, and the Southern Science Park at Prince of Songkla University in Songkhla. At least 800 participants are expected to join the series of events, including “Youth Month” in October this year and the next season of Youth In Charge Leadership Academy.
For more information about Youth APEC, visit www.youthincharge.net or Youth In Charge: www.facebook.com/YouthInChargeThailand
