Editors’ Note

Today, at the quarter mark of the century, the world  faces seemingly intractable challenges including heightening geopolitical tensions, widening economic gaps, consequential cultural shifts, and worsening environmental concerns. Inaction is no longer an option—in particular, for the world’s youth. After all, it is the nearly 1.2 billion of them worldwide, ages 15 to 24, who will inherit these legacy problems and bear the brunt of their consequences. Yet, these same young people can actively shape the future. The imperative for their generation is therefore to respond effectively, armed with critical thinking and a strong sense of accountability.

India, with over half its population under the age of 25, stands at a defining moment as it aims to become a US$10-trillion economy. Its youth must see themselves not just as participants but as leaders of nation-building. Nurturing a stable and prosperous future will require discipline, ambition, and a commitment to solving today’s challenges with practical, sustainable, and equitable solutions. This is not a distant goal but a pressing responsibility, keeping in mind India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 aspiration of becoming a fully developed economy.

In 2024, ORF published “Hope in the Horizon: India’s Youth and Global Futures (Vol. 1)”, the first compendium outcome of our flagship forum for India’s youth, the 2024 Spark Dialogue. The volume highlighted issues such as the future of work, environmental responsibility, and social innovation. Notably, 11 of the 16 articles in the publication were authored by women, emphasising the importance of women-led growth and development. Volume I made a case for India’s youth to step up with courage and clarity of mind as they help create a more sustainable future.

This present volume is the second and final edition of the series, capturing insights from the 2024 iteration of the ORF SPARK Dialogue. Held in Mumbai on 9 January 2024, in partnership with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and supported by the Consulate General of Australia in Mumbai, the Detox Group, Sigma University, Vadodara, and Kohinoor Education Trust’s Schools of Management, the dialogue explored the tensions between ambitions and responsibilities, as well as the idealism of youth and the realities of leadership in a world filled with uncertainty.

This anthology explores themes of public policy, digital transformation, and sustainable development, offering not just insightful expositions of the challenges but, more importantly, plausible solutions.

Dharini Mishra examines the persistent challenge of anaemia among Indian women of reproductive age, identifying the policy gaps and exploring the strategies needed to address this public health crisis. Chaitanya Prabhu explores how digital innovation can enhance electoral engagement among young voters in India, shedding light on the societal paradigms that influence political participation. Meeta Gupta, Pennan Chinnasamy, and Basant Maheshwari follow with a piece on the power of academic collaborations in strengthening the India-Australia partnership for sustainable development.

Mihir Pradyut Kulkarni then highlights the barriers to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) accessibility among marginalised communities. In the subsequent essay, Sara Swain analyses the impact of digital platforms on India’s global identity and soft power. Swarali Bhutekar follows with a piece that highlights the urgent need for digital financial inclusion, emphasising the importance of placing women at the heart of urban development efforts.

In the latter pages of the compendium, Yookta Ahuja examines the role of digital literacy in shaping the future of work, while Pranadh Mampilamthoda and Pennan Chinnasamy explore alternative data sources to combat climate change in data-scarce rural regions. Tenzin Karma closes the volume with an essay that discusses the role of seamless digital payments in enhancing India’s appeal to global visitors.

Together, these essays offer a compelling vision for a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future—one where policy, technology, and innovation converge to drive meaningful change. It is our hope that this effort enables policymakers to prioritise the voices of the youth and aids in the endeavour towards this goal.

Read the monograph here.

• Developing and Emerging Economies
• India
• forum for India’s youth
• hope in the horizon
• orf spark dialogue
• youth and development
• youth and viksit bharat 2047
• youth forums in india

The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.

PREV NEXT