International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC)
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Item The Role of Youth Participation in Community Development(19th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2018, Faculty of Graduate Studies,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) De Thabrew, C.K.; silva, N.Youth participation in community development has been viewed as one of the most effective methods for promoting young people’s active engagement with social services. However, in rural communities of Sri Lanka, young people’s participation is most commonly related to their labour contribution. The core components of participation such as decisions, choices, and management are rarely seen. Addressing these issues this research, from a qualitative research method, aims to contribute to local understandings about youth participation in development. With a focus on Agalawatta rural area, it explores the grounded experiences of two youth groups in order to offer considerations for social practice, programme implementations and further studies. The research involved in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations with youth, village heads, NGO staff, religious leader, a school teacher and young people’s parents in Mathugama Grama Niladhari divisions. Both Quantitative and Qualitative data were collected using semi structure questioner, focus group discussions and observations. The respondents considered charitable contributions of youth as their primary form of active participation, including educational awareness and campaigns in the community. There are some positive outcomes from youth engagement; one of the influential aspects is contributed by local partnerships. This substantial contribution stimulates interactions between key local members and youth so they can work together for positive change in the community. This research suggests that young people do need support from key local groups or recognized agents to assist them in initiating participation in terms of forming groups, and providing training and coaching to open new possibilities and strengthen youth’s initiatives. These include religion and development, power relations, and women’s leadership. This research suggests that these factors either motivate youth participation because of social norms and cultural acceptanceItem Sustainable Development and Sri Lankan Youth(In: Proceedings of the International Postgraduate Research Conference 2017 (IPRC – 2017), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Wijesinghe, K.M.H.V.Today, sustainable development has become one of the key priorities of national policy making of any country. Sustainable development focuses on a wide array of aspects ranging from the most basic socio-cultural aspects to more sophisticated political, economic, technological and scientific elements. Understanding the importance of sustainable development, on September 25, 2015, the UN members adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. In the context of Sustainable Development Goals, where does the Sri Lankan youth stand? Development can be accelerated when the majority of youth in any country are able to make significant contributions to economic, social and political life in a way that lifts countries out of poverty, ensures greater stability and promotes healthier societies. (USAID, 2012). Against this backdrop, the study attempts to understand where Sri Lankan youth stand today and how can the youth be empowered in the context of attaining the following Sustainable Development Goals; 1)Ensure inclusive and quality education,2) promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, 3) Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and 4)promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. Basically, this research is a case study that looks into the relationship between the youth in Sri Lanka and Sustainable Development Goals. This is a qualitative research and the main source of data collection would be secondary data collected from various reports, internet, internationally recognized indices, books and other sources. As far as the findings of the research are concerned, the study has found the interdependent relationship between sustainable development and youth. However, this relationship has not been properly understood by all parties of the society, leading to a marginalization of the youth. Thus, the study has identified what is simply identified as PI approach (P=Proactive and I= Independent) to get the youth directly involved in the process of sustainable development.