In its first session of the Central Committee meeting on 11 October 2015 at YUVA Head Office, YUVA has decided to adopt and implement the Personal Social Responsibility spirit in the organisation.

One of the key areas of interest of YUVA has always been how YUVANs as individuals and groups can improve Mauritius and the world. To YUVA, it is all about addressing how we live our lives and the impact we have on everything and everyone around us, both locally and globally.

The time has come when we cannot just rely on others – each one of us has to do our bit. Increasingly companies, or better said corporate social responsibility grants, are becoming more political and business-driven in Mauritius. It is now time for people to be more and more aware about their Personal Social Responsibility (PSR).

YUVA firmly believe that PSR is an idea whose time has come.

YUVA President Krishna Athal says, “As we marked the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (2 October) this month, bear in mind his oft repeated quote “Be the Change you wish to see in the world”. From the being, comes the doing and ultimately the having. So we now have the message “Do the change you wish to see in the world”. Taking this as the foundation of our though process, YUVA is pleased to announce the adoption of the Personal Social Responsibility spirit in its operation at all levels.”

PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you. It is about recognising how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions.

Definition of Personal Social Responsibility

From his acclaimed book entitled “Personal Social Responsibility,” author Arvind Devalia defines this concept in terms of the golden rule as well as “recognising how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions.” He goes on to say that the key question we must ask ourselves if we are going to have personal social responsibility is whether or not our actions will improve the lives of others.

Pay It Forward

A key element of personal social responsibility is endeavouring to have a positive impact on other people and the environment. When individuals strive to make positive contributions, they are acting in a personally responsible way to society. By recognising that our every action and utterance impacts those around us, we become more conscious of our words and actions and therefore are more likely to act in a socially responsible way. For example, being kind to a stranger increases the likelihood that the stranger will be kind to someone else, creating a chain reaction of kindness whereby people are being treated well and paying it forward.

Personal Social Responsibility Overcomes Corporate Social Responsibility

YUVA has decided to not apply for any CSR grant in Mauritius. Instead, a new scheme is being put forward: every YUVAN or non-YUVAN who believes in the vision and work of YUVA would contribute an amount of Rs 50/- every month to the organisation. This would increase transparency since this money would be directly transferred from two bank accounts through standing order (banking), and also create a sense of belonging between the contributor and YUVA.

What happens, at the end of the day, is that every individual would opt for PSR rather than waiting for a company to contribute in bringing change in their life.

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