The National NGO's Confederation Confederation organised a youth summit on digital transformation and social service in Kerala on 28th November 2023. The summit was held at the auditorium of Kalamassery Rajagiri Higher Secondary School in Ernakulam district. More than 400 students from 15 different NGOs in the district participated in the summit.
The aim of the summit was to create awareness among the students about the importance and opportunities of social service, startup ventures, and digital skill development. The summit also featured various sessions and workshops on these topics, led by experts and mentors from the Confederation and other organisations.
The summit was inaugurated by Sri. Lokanath Behera IPS, the former Chief Of Police,and MD of Kochi Metro Rail Corporation. He praised the efforts of the Confederation and the Build India in empowering and enabling the youth of Kerala through digital transformation and social service. He also urged the students to use their talents and skills for the benefit of the society and the nation.
The chief guest of the summit was Sri. KN Anandakumar, the Chairman of the Confederation. He delivered the keynote speech on the role and contribution of NGOs in the development and welfare of the country and its people. National Coordinator of NGO’s Confederation Sri Ananthu Krishnan was also part of the proceedings.He also shared his experience and insights on the challenges and opportunities of the NGO sector in India. He encouraged the students to join and support the activities of the Confederation and the Build India, and to become active and responsible citizens.
The laptop distribution ceremony was another highlight of the summit. Honorable MLA Smt. Uma Thomas inaugurated the distribution of laptops to the students with 50% financial assistance. The laptops were provided as part of the Digital Transformation Program (DTP), which is a flagship initiative of the Confederation and the Build India under the Community Development Initiative (CDI). The DTP aims to provide digital literacy and access to NGOs and their beneficiaries, especially in rural and remote areas. The DTP also helps NGOs to improve their efficiency, transparency, and accountability by using digital tools and platforms.
The summit was a success and a milestone for the Confederation . The summit received positive feedback and appreciation from the students and the NGOs. The summit also showcased the achievements and impact of the Confederation in the areas of digital transformation and social service in Kerala.
The Confederation is a leading organisation in the NGO sector in India. The Confederation is a unique and innovative initiative that aims to bring together NGOs from all over India under a common umbrella organisation. The Build India is a social enterprise that empowers women from low-income backgrounds to become professional drivers and earn a dignified livelihood. Both organisations has a vision and mission of creating a better and brighter India through social welfare and development.
The relevance of such programs by the Confederation and the Build India can be understood from the fact that Kerala has been a pioneer and a leader in the social development of India. Kerala has achieved remarkable progress in the areas of land reform, general education, public health, and gender and caste equality, thanks to the public action and social expenditure by the state governments and the civil society organisations. Kerala has also achieved a high level of economic growth, driven by the service and construction sectors, and supported by the remittances from the Malayali diaspora. However, Kerala also faces some challenges and constraints, such as the low level of industrialisation, the environmental degradation, the fiscal stress, and the ageing population.
Digital transformation and social service can help Kerala to overcome these challenges and to tap new growth opportunities. Digital transformation can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the existing sectors, as well as create new sectors and markets, such as information technology, e-commerce, and digital entertainment. Digital transformation can also improve the quality and accessibility of public services, such as education, health, and governance, and empower the citizens to participate and voice their opinions. Social service can help Kerala to address the social and economic inequalities and vulnerabilities, and to protect and promote the rights and interests of the marginalised and disadvantaged groups, such as the women, the elderly, the disabled, and the transgenders. Social service can also foster a culture of solidarity and cooperation among the people and the organisations, and to create a more inclusive and harmonious society.
The youth summit on digital transformation and social service in Kerala was a timely and relevant initiative by the Confederation and the Build India. It was a platform for the students to learn, share, and network with the experts and the peers from the NGO sector. It was also a catalyst for the students to realise their potential and to contribute to the development and welfare of Kerala and India.
