M.S. W. (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT)

Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)

 

OBJECTIVES AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME

Being a youngest country in the world and having the major chunk of youth population, India has to devise various programmes, policies and welfare measures by positioning youth as the focus of our nation building.  In order to make youth as productive human resource for nation development and active citizens in civic engagement activities, they must be equipped with knowledge, essential skills and positive attitudes. RGNIYD is an institute of National Importance, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and functions as a nodal centre with depository of knowledge, training, research and extension activities. Since its establishment the RGNIYD has been offering various kinds of capacity building training programmes for the youth and youth functionaries across the country.  It also offers undergraduate, post graduate and Ph.D., programmes revolving around youth development. Introduction of M.A. in Social Work with Youth Work and Community Development as a specialization would create a platform for delivering youth services in a professional manner by stimulating synthesis of theory and practice. The course aims to professionalize youth work and train youth workers as critical reflective practitioners.

 

Social work is an interdisciplinary subject which also needs to be expanded in the terrain of youth and community development. India is the youngest country with 64 per cent of its population in the working age group. The median individual in India will be 28 years in 2020 and the youth are going to be turned into a demographic dividend, it is essential to pay due attention to this dynamic workforce. Access to opportunities and providing training will empower the youth to contribute towards nation building. The National Youth Policy, 2014 (NYP-2014) also emphasizes on youth development and productive youth participation. According to a UN High Level Panel report on the Post 2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, Youth should be placed at the centre of any new development framework by focussing on youth development.  This will enable them to design, implement and monitor youth empowerment strategies. For assessing the needs of the young people and to work for youth and community development, professional intervention calls for attention.

 

b) OBJECTIVES

 

  1. Purpose of M.A. Social Work with specialization “Youth and Community Development”

Social work is a professional and academic discipline which intends to enhance the quality of individuals, groups and communities belonging to weaker sections.  Youth work is for all young people to build their capacity individually and collectively, to exercise citizenship and civic engagement and to create a democratic and just society. M.A. Social Work in youth and community development is a two years postgraduate course that aims to provide knowledge of youth work – origins, concepts, models, principles and practices with experiential learning.  The course provides a comprehensive understanding of issues concerning youth and a professional approach to dealing with youth related problems.

 

b. At the end of the course, students of M.A. Social work in youth and community development will benefit as follows:

 

  • Develop the ability to understand self, others and the society.
  • Will be equipped with conceptual understanding of youth issues, set of transferable skills, positive attitude to work for youth in wide range or areas like institutional, educational, training and non-formal settings.
  • Capacitated to deal with various problems professionally by using scientific methods and approaches.
  • Become empowered citizens to exercise citizenship and civic engagement.
  • Serve as social facilitators in bringing transformation in the lives of youth and communities through research, policy, direct practice (youth organizing and community development) and teaching.
  • Become a professional youth worker in designing, organizing and delivering services for bringing changes in the lives of young people, especially the socially and economically disadvantaged categories.