‘Acceptance’ – International Youth Day

August 12th is celebrated as International Youth Day. This year’s theme ‘Safe spaces for youth’ inspires this article on inclusion, the key to ensuring safe workspaces for youth…

Inclusion is key to providing safe workspaces for youth. It encompasses psychological safety and is not limited to physical safety! Diverse segments of youth have different dimensions of bringing their whole self to work.

Gender bias can have a profound impact on youth. It can be mitigated through a synergistic dependence of empowerment between genders to break free from gender norms and stereotypes.

Young parents need organizational support for work-life integration. It is essential to prevent burnout and discontent amongst them.

Specially abled youth have their right to ‘reasonable accommodation’ in their workplace. It signifies that while standards do not ease, their ability to perform is ensured by eliminating barriers.

Millennials may face unique challenges of multigenerational friction in the workplace. Performance pressures may add to increased stress levels. A respectful workplace is paramount towards improving organizational culture.

Youth from the LGBT+ community have faced exclusion and intolerance due to their sexual orientation. A constricted life is their reality. Acceptance is the way forward towards LGBT+ inclusion.

Acceptance inculcates wellness of the spirit. ‘Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…Into that heaven of freedom my Father, let my country awake.’ By Rabindranath Tagore invokes aspirations for the future of Indian youth. It can be realized if you, I and we choose to lead a life a life of inclusion today!

Sandra Sebastian