Page 111 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
COVID-19 and youth volunteering in India

• Are NSS volunteers effectively trained to serve as links and possess the skills necessary for meaningful societal
between individuals in need and the relevant service contributions (Youniss et al., 2002).
delivery systems? Research indicates that participation in volunteer
• Are structural reforms necessary to enhance youth activities during adolescence can encourage continued
volunteerism in times of crisis? engagement in volunteerism during young adulthood
1.2. Objectives and positively influence the likelihood of completing
educational requirements (Moorfoot et al., 2015).
This article aims to shed light on the historical context, In addition, participation in volunteer activities and
present situation, and future prospects of the NSS and youth programs provides young people with essential
youth volunteerism in India while addressing financial opportunities to engage with their communities while
considerations and factors contributing to the reduced developing a diverse set of skills, values, and the
visibility of the NSS during the pandemic. Moreover, motivation necessary for continued civic involvement
it applies the institutional change theory to the NSS to (United Nations, 2014). Through such civic engagement,
determine how NSS resources can be effectively leveraged youth can contribute both individually and collectively to
for community interventions during crises and to explore foster positive changes in their surroundings (Evaluating
how youth engagement can aid in achieving the SDGs, Out-of-School Time Program Quality, 2004). The
particularly SDG 3-Good health and well-being. social networks provided by such organizations are also
2. Methodology instrumental for community service participants, as they
facilitate access to social capital (Abbasi et al., 2014).
In this study, the authors utilized secondary data sources Such networks can help participants access knowledge,
such as government statistics, previously published reports, skills, and other resources (Bourdieu, 1985). To enhance
academic articles, books, and public policy documents. the social capital of NSS volunteers, it is imperative that
A descriptive research design was adopted to describe the activities specified in the NSS are carefully designed
history, current context, and future prospects of the NSS and executed. This process should incorporate well-
in India. These methodologies were chosen to focus on the defined guidelines and monitoring mechanisms that
crucial role of youth volunteering through the NSS and reflect the contemporary social challenges encountered
to identify the gaps in harnessing the potential of youth by communities, addressing issues at both the micro and
volunteers during times of crisis. macro levels. According to Guo et al. (2021), bolstering
social capital can enable youth to establish an effective
3. Enhancing youth volunteers’ social framework for managing epidemics and fostering
capital through the institutional change sustainable social engagement.
theory Alterations to institutional and policy frameworks are

The involvement of young people in community activities vital for tackling existing social challenges. The theory
is of great significance and serves as a subsystem within a of institutional change emphasizes the evolution of
society’s larger interconnected infrastructural framework institutional roles over time and across different contexts,
(Introduction to systems theory, 2022). As outlined in which is critical for the development of institutions
the system theory of social work, demographics such as and processes of convergent change (Coccia, 2018).
a nation’s youth can exert considerable influence on the Consequently, it is necessary to adapt the NSS framework
wider community structure. Engaging in civic activities to align with current societal realities and human-centric
allows young people to collaboratively tackle public issues issues.
impacting their surroundings, thereby empowering them 4. History and trajectory of the NSS in India
to participate in societal discussions and to realize their
social identities. Through such engagement, they can The NSS was established in 1969 and is overseen by
harmonize their personal goals with the community’s the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The primary
broader objectives, as noted by Checkoway & Aldana objective of the NSS is to foster student engagement
(2013). To maintain thriving communities, it is essential through active participation in various community service
to cultivate a sense of civic engagement, commitment, initiatives (Sekhar, 2002). The NSS embraces the motto of
skills, and social unity among young people. Assessing the “Not Me but You,” which emphasizes the importance of
civic attitudes of young individuals and recognizing their prioritizing the needs of others and the interests of society
interests are vital steps in this process, ensuring that they over individuals, thus encouraging individuals to assist
play an active role in shaping their communities’ futures those in need without anticipating any rewards in return.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 103 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4717