International Seminar on Voices of Tomorrow: Youth Volunteering for Social Impact 

Organised by

Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)

In collaboration with

Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India

Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

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📌 About the Seminar

Voices of Tomorrow: Youth Volunteering for Social Impact is an international seminar to explore how young people can act as agents of positive social change through volunteering, leadership, and community engagement. It will bring together youth, researchers, educators, civil society organisations, policymakers, and practitioners to share experiences, evidence, and innovative models of youth-led action.

Objectives

1. To provide a platform for young people to voice their aspirations, concerns, and ideas for building inclusive and sustainable communities.

2. To examine the role of youth volunteering in addressing social, educational, environmental, health, and community-development challenges.

3. To promote social Innovation and entrepreneurship.

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Major Sub-Themes

The seminar will invite papers, presentations, panel discussions, and practice-based contributions around, but not limited to, the following themes:

1. Volunteering for inclusion, equity, and social justice

• Volunteering for social protection, education, health, and livelihood security

• Volunteering with and for marginalised communities: persons with disabilities, tribal and minority youth, migrants, and rural youth

• Intergenerational bonding and collaborative leadership.

2. Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Youth-led social enterprises and community-based business models

• Social innovation for local problems in education, health, livelihoods, and sanitation

• Design thinking and grassroots problem-solving

• Social entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment and sustainable livelihoods

3. Volunteerism and Leadership

• Youth leadership development through volunteering and service-learning

• Peer leadership, mentoring, and youth-led organisations

• Leadership for civic engagement, advocacy, and policy influence

• Leadership through NSS, NYKS, scout and guide movements.

4. Climate action and sustainable futures

• Youth volunteering for climate awareness, education, and advocacy

• Community-based climate adaptation and disaster-risk reduction

• Waste management, circular economy, recycling, and plastic reduction

• Green skills, renewable energy, and sustainable livelihoods

5. Youth agency and community engagement

• Participatory action research and youth-led engagement

• Community engagement in education, health, care, and neighbourhood development

• Volunteering in rural, tribal, urban-slum, and peri-urban communities

• Youth, community & institutional partnerships for local development

Call for Abstracts

Open: 30^th October to 17^th November, 2026

Deadline: 17^th November, 2026

Full paper submission deadline: January 9^th, 2027

Link for abstract submission is as follows;

https://forms.gle/hPMis4Th528ywMJc9

For any queries or clarification, write to

csaigita@tiss.ac.in

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Scientific Committee:

Dr. Saigita Chitturu, Faculty, TISS

Prof. Nasreen Rustomfram, TISS (Rtd Prof.)

Dr. Neelam Yadav, TISS, Tuljapur

Prof. Mahesh Kamble, TISS, Mumbai

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👥 Who Can Participate?

Students, scholars, practitioners, journalists, legal experts, writers, activists, and youth leaders below 35 years of age from across the world.

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📅 Dates & Venue

6th to 8th February 2027
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

👤 Seminar Convenor

Dr. Saigita Chitturu
Faculty, Centre for Lifelong Learning
School of Social Work
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai