Author Archives: ld-sylff

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Norwegian Foreign Minister Expresses Gratitude for Sylff Fellowship

June 5, 2025

Chairman Sasakawa was warmly welcomed by Norwegian Foreign Minister and Oslo Fellow Espen Barth Eide at the June 3 reception.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, a Sylff fellowship recipient at the University of Oslo, met with Sylff Association Chairman Yohei Sasakawa on June 3 at a reception in Tokyo honoring his visit to Japan.

Earlier that day, Minister Eide held talks with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya. Marking the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Norway, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in security—including developments in Ukraine and the Middle East—economic ties, and people-to-people exchange. They also welcomed progress in green initiatives, such as offshore wind power generation projects.

Eide, who received his Sylff fellowship in 1994, was leading a delegation to Expo 2025 in Osaka, where, on June 2, Norway’s National Day was celebrated at the National Day Hall and Nordic Pavilion.

 

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Sylff@Tokyo: Deepening Sylff Ties with the University of Helsinki

June 5, 2025

Tiina Airaksinen of the University of Helsinki, center, is flanked on her right by Mari Suzuki and Aya Kasahara of the Sylff Association secretariat and on her left by Miki Futagawa, director of the Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation, and Nozomu Kawamoto of the secretariat.

The Sylff Association secretariat was delighted to welcome Tiina Airaksinen, chair of the Sylff steering committee at the University of Helsinki and vice-dean for academic affairs, to the Tokyo Foundation’s office on May 22. Airaksinen was visiting Japan with her husband, Harri Tirkkonen, marking her first trip to the country in 15 years—her last being as part of a faculty exchange program at Waseda University.

At the University of Helsinki, Sylff fellowships are awarded annually to two PhD students—typically in their second or third year—conducting full-time research in Asian and African studies, international relations, or social and cultural anthropology.

“We receive more and more outstanding applications every year,” Airaksinen noted. “Sylff is highly competitive at Helsinki, as it offers €25,000 annually—making it the university’s most generous scholarship.”

Over the past two years under Airaksinen’s leadership, the Sylff program at Helsinki has achieved dynamic growth, with updates to its website and renewed outreach to fellows and alumni. “I now regularly meet with both current fellows and alumni to share new opportunities through Sylff,” she explained. “It’s important that we stay connected—our community is very active.”

A scholar of Asian studies, Airaksinen is currently conducting comparative research on the experiences of Asian migrants in Finland and Japan—two democracies facing aging populations. She also highlighted the strong interest in Japan among Helsinki students: “Japanese is the second most popular foreign language after English. Students are drawn to Japan not only because of manga and anime but also due to its democratic values, economic influence, and positive global image.”

Airaksinen sees potential for deeper collaboration between Finland and Japan. “Both countries have a strong respect for nature,” she said. “It would be wonderful to organize a symposium, either in-person or online, on sustainability or other topics centered on enhancing happiness and quality of life.”

Airaksinen presents a gift to Tokyo Foundation Executive Director Suzuki.

The Sylff Association secretariat was pleased to reconnect with Airaksinen, having met her and many Sylff fellows in Helsinki in September 2024, and looks forward to further collaboration in building a vibrant Sylff community.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Finding Concrete Solutions to Real-World Issues: Online Orientation Meeting with “Pedro Arrupe” Fellows

June 2, 2025

On May 12, 2025, the Institute of Political Education “Pedro Arrupe” held an online fellows orientation meeting for its three newly selected Sylff fellows, joined by members of the Sylff Association secretariat.

Meeting participants included (top row, left to right) fellow Alessio Castiglione, secretariat members Aya Kasahara and Konatsu Furuya, Tokyo Foundation Executive Director Mari Suzuki, (middle row, left to right) fellow Mirco Vannoni, SSC Chair Massimo Massaro, secretariat member Nozomu Kawamoto, and (bottom row) fellow Valerio Lombino.

The Sylff program at the Institute—called the Idea-Action Research Program—supports young researchers conducting academic and personal inquiries aimed at making tangible social impact, particularly in Sicily, where the Institute is located.

In his opening remarks, the Institute’s Sylff Steering Committee Chair Massimo Massaro, himself a former fellowship recipient, thanked the Tokyo Foundation “for continuing to believe in our work and our research.” Reflecting on his own experience, he said “Sylff is like a family to me, enabling me to grow both professionally and personally. I’ve done my best to give others the same opportunity that the Foundation and the Institute gave me many years ago.”

Massaro emphasized the program’s commitment to social change. “The research funded by Sylff is very important for us because it is an investment in human capital. The focus is not just on academic excellence but also on applying scientific knowledge to find concrete solutions to real-world issues and on pushing ourselves to be socially and politically engaged.”

The three fellows for fical 2025—Alessio Castiglione, Valerio Lombino, and Mirco Vannoni—then presented their research projects.

Alessio Castiglione is exploring how grassroots storytelling and community-based art can foster social inclusion and urban regeneration. Combining psychology, pedagogy, and urban sociology, his research focuses on participatory creative practices in Palermo that encourage active citizenship and democratic engagement. As a Sylff fellow, he will map storytelling communities, conduct qualitative fieldwork, and develop a theoretical framework linking creative expression to urban governance. His leadership is demonstrated through initiatives like the Newbookclub, which turns public spaces into inclusive cultural forums. Castiglione aims to inspire scalable models of community-led development and contribute to inclusive policymaking.

Valerio Lombino is a cultural manager and scholar specializing in participatory archival practices and the preservation of community heritage in Palermo. With a track record of inclusive leadership in curatorial programming and cultural project design, he has championed broader access to heritage and amplified underrepresented voices. As a Sylff fellow, Lombino will conduct a transdisciplinary literature review, attend conferences, publish scholarly articles, and lead seminars on archival activism. His vision includes empowering communities to co-author their cultural narratives through sustainable, community-led archival models rooted in collaboration and shared leadership.

Mirco Vannoni brings a background in cultural studies and social advocacy, focusing on issues of homelessness, incarceration, and cultural exclusion. His work with incarcerated individuals and marginalized communities has deepened his understanding of how cultural institutions, such as museums, can alienate the most vulnerable. His Sylff project will include seminars, comparative research, academic publishing, and conference participation exploring poverty, social exclusion, and cultural participation. Vannoni’s leadership includes co-founding social justice festivals and coordinating interdisciplinary European projects. His action-oriented research and commitment to inclusive cultural policy exemplify the kind of socially engaged leadership that Sylff seeks to foster.

The orientation meeting offered a glimpse into the fellows’ research goals and their shared desire to improve the lives of individuals and communities in Sicily. We are delighted to welcome the new “Pedro Arrupe” fellows into the Sylff community and look forward to supporting them as they advance their work at the intersection of scholarship and social impact.

The three Idea-Action fellows for fiscal 2025 are, from left, Alessio Castiglione, Valerio Lombino, and Mirco Vannoni.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Sylff@Tokyo: A Surprise Visit from a Fellow-Turned-Basque-Minister

May 20, 2025

On the morning of Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Tokyo Foundation received an unexpected but welcome phone call. Mikel Jauregi Letemendia, a 1998 Sylff fellow from the University of Deusto and currently Minister of Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability in the Basque Government of Spain, wished to stop by for a courtesy visit and word of thanks.

At the Foundation’s office, Jauregi was warmly received by Sylff Association Chairman Yohei Sasakawa and Tokyo Foundation President Mieko Nakabayashi.

Basque Minister Mikel Jauregi being welcomed by Sylff Association Chairman Yohei Sasakawa.

Appointed to his ministerial post under the Imanol Pradales administration in June 2024, Minister Jauregi was in Japan as part of an economic cooperation initiative rooted in the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the Basque Government and Fukushima Prefecture to promote collaboration in renewable energy.

During the visit, he reflected on his longstanding ties with Japan through the Sylff community. He participated in a Sylff Regional Forum in the early 2000s and was a member of the Sylff Fellows Council, through which he visited Japan and developed a deep appreciation for its culture—especially memorable were his experiences in Hakone.

Professionally, Jauregi built a distinguished career in the private energy sector, working with firms such as PwC, BP, and Centrica, and was based in London before receiving a call from the Basque Government to take up the ministerial post—a request he accepted in part out of a sense of gratitude for the support he received as a Sylff fellow.

As Minister, Jauregi has focused on strengthening partnerships between the Basque Government and industrial clusters, technology centers, and private-sector firms to enhance the region’s economic competitiveness. In October 2024, he led a delegation to Japan and Taiwan to showcase the Basque Country’s capabilities in industry, technology, and innovation.

“Sylff played a major role in shaping who I am,” he said during the visit. “Now, I want to use my experience to give back to society.”

The Sylff Association secretariat was honored by Minister Jauregi’s visit and proud to see a former fellow embodying Sylff’s mission through a life of professional excellence and public service.

 

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Sylff@Tokyo: Comenius University Strengthening Global Ties through International Outreach

May 20, 2025

The Sylff Association secretariat was honored to welcome Jozef Tancer and Lucia Vilcekova of Comenius University in Bratislava on April 24. Their visit was part of a broader delegation of nearly 50 Slovak academics organized by the Slovak Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth to deepen and forge new ties with Japanese institutions.

Tancer is the vice-rector for international relations at Comenius and chair of the university’s Sylff steering committee. A noted expert in German language and history, he also heads the Department of German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Studies in the Faculty of the Arts. Vilcekova is the vice-dean for international relations in the Faculty of Management.

In addition to visiting the Tokyo Foundation, they also met with various academic and institutional partners in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.

Comenius University Vice-Rector Jozef Tancer, seated right, and Lucia Vilcekova, along with members of the Sylff Association secretariat.

Comenius University is a new scheme Sylff institution, providing fellowships to full-time PhD students in the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Management, and Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences. The fellowships are primarily used to support international research, conference attendance, and publication in peer-reviewed academic journals—all of which are critical for building academic credibility during doctoral training.

“Many of our Slovak students look for mobility opportunities abroad, even if just for one semester,” says Tancer. “One of the advantages of our faculty is that we offer around 60 courses each semester in English, including full degree program, which makes it easy for us to receive students from abroad.”

Vilčeková adds that Sylff helps students to showcase their research on international platforms: “Even when their research is focused on domestic issues, it would be a pity if their findings are known only in Slovakia.”

Comenius is also making efforts to attract more foreign students, which is particularly important given Slovakia’s relatively small size—its total population is roughly one-third that of Tokyo. Tancer believes that international exchange and multilingualism are essential to a well-rounded education.

“In the past, being able to read English, German, and French was part of what it meant to be an educated person.” He notes, however, that the COVID-19 pandemic had an alarming impact on students’ well-being. “Many PhD students became isolated, and around 30 to 40 percent reported mental health issues. Even after returning to campus, many struggled with in-person lectures, discussions, and workshops.”

This shift has also affected communication skills. “When we hire new staff in my department, we often ask candidates to make a short phone call. For many young people, that can be a real challenge—they’re used to writing emails or texting messages but not speaking directly.”

Despite these challenges, Comenius continues to cultivate globally minded scholars and professionals. Past Sylff fellows from the university have gone on to distinguished careers in politics, government, academia, the private sector, and civil society. One such fellow is Milan Šagát (2005), managing director of ČERVENÝ NOS Clowndoctors, an organization that uses the art of clowning to support the emotional well-being of hospitalized children and seniors.

©ČERVENÝ NOS Clowndoctors

The Sylff Association secretariat applauds Comenius University’s commitment to internationalization, multilingual education, and student well-being. These efforts reflect the core values of the Sylff Mission: to nurture leaders who transcend differences in language, nationality, and political systems to bring about positive social change in global society and the local community.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

KIBOTCHA’s Journey from Tsunami Ruins to a “Smart Ecovillage” of Hope

May 19, 2025
By 30537

Naoko Takasu (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2022) reports on KIBOTCHA, an innovative, citizen-led initiative in tsunami-devastated Higashi-Matsushima that aims to convert a shuttered school into a “smart ecovillage” fostering hope and disaster resilience.

*     *     *

While exploring the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE)—the subject of my doctoral research—I came across the concept of the “ecovillage.” SSE initiatives are citizen-led, prioritize the well-being of people and the planet, and operate with principles of cooperation, solidarity, reciprocity, inclusion, diversity, and democratic management.[1] According to the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), an ecovillage is “an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology, and economy) to regenerate social and natural environments.”[2]

While the term “ecovillage” rarely appears in SSE literature, I found it relevant because both emphasize citizen-led initiatives and care for people and the planet. Curious about examples of ecovillages around the globe, I attended a February 2025 online meeting organized by the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University. The featured speaker, Shinku Kudo, introduced a unique case called KIBOTCHA, an emerging ecovillage in the city of Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture—an area devastated by the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

KIBOTCHA was established in 2018 by renovating the Nobiru Elementary School, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami and closed in 2016. KIBOTCHA President and CEO Kiyoko Mii and a group of collaborators spearheaded efforts to transform the school into an accommodation facility aimed at promoting disaster preparedness. The name “KIBOTCHA” is a portmanteau of two Japanese words kibo (hope) and bosai (disaster preparedness) and the English word “future.”

At the online meeting, Kudo explained that KIBOTCHA aspires to become a “smart ecovillage” capable of accommodating 10,000 people from other parts of Japan in times of disaster. I was intrigued, for I had heard the terms “smart city” and “ecovillage” but never “smart ecovillage.” What would such a place look like? To find out, I decided to visit KIBOTCHA in March 2025.

KIBOTCHA from outside. The colors on the exterior wall show the height of the tsunami. The first floor was completely submerged on March 11, 2011. Photo by the author, March 21, 2025.

My visit revealed two unique strengths of the facility. First, it powerfully conveys the importance of disaster preparedness. A room on the second floor displays a clock and blackboard formerly used at the elementary school, alongside two monitors showing photographs of the school and surrounding area immediately after the tsunami. The visual records evoke both the trauma of the disaster and the tremendous effort made to transform the site.

Second, I was struck by the energy of the younger generation and warmth of the staff. During my visit, several young people were at work—building glamping domes and preparing meals. They came from diverse backgrounds and seemed genuinely enthusiastic about contributing to the project.

These two strengths will be important assets as KIBOTCHA seeks to expand and evolve.

A clock and blackboard from the Nobiru Elementary School, displayed on the second floor of KIBOTCHA. Photo by the author, March 21, 2025.

However, challenges remain. Currently, KIBOTCHA functions more like a hostel than a community-based ecovillage, and its operations do not yet fully embody ecological sustainability: disposable chopsticks were used at dinner, and paper cups and towels were found in the bathrooms, practices that likely began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it was not clear how the facility intends to transition from hosting short-term visitors to supporting long-term residents.

Economic sustainability is another concern. Mii acknowledged that revenues are not sufficient to cover running costs or repay the investments made to renovate the facility.

Still, KIBOTCHA is a promising initiative, and I hope that its efforts to convert a closed school into a community hub for mutual assistance and disaster response will succeed.[3] Plans for future development, according to Kudo, include the installation of solar panels on the roof this year, the employment of people with disabilities at fair wages to craft fishing materials, and the introduction of such sustainable practices as aquaponics (raising fish and plants together), permaculture (growing food sustainably and for self-sufficiency), and earthbag housing (building inexpensive and environmentally friendly homes) in collaboration with universities and other partners.

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, citizen-led projects like KIBOTCHA offer critical lessons in disaster preparedness, as well as in social, cultural, ecological, and economic sustainability so that we can live with hope for the future.

 

Notes

[1] Naoko Takasu, Social and Solidarity Economy Practices in Pakistan: Leading Transformative Changes Required in the Post-COVID-19 Era. PhD dissertation submitted to and accepted by Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2023.

[2] Global Ecovillage Network, “What Is an Ecovillage?” https://ecovillage.org/ecovillages/what-is-an-ecovillage/.

[3] KIBOTCHA, “We Want to Create an Ecovillage Where 10,000 People Can Live,” Kibotcha News and Topics, https://kibotcha.com/news/ (in Japanese).

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Sylff@Tokyo: INSEAD Strengthening Ties with Japan through Its Alumni

May 12, 2025

On Aprill 22, the Sylff Association secretariat had the honor of welcoming two distinguished visitors from INSEAD, a globally renowned business school, during their visit to Tokyo as part of their relationship building efforts in Japan.

Ben M. Bensaou, professor in technology management and Asian business and comparative management, and John Wei Zheng, associate director of INSEAD’s Asia Campus, were in Tokyo to engage with the institute’s many influential alumni in the Japanese business community and to meet with partner institutions and foundations.

INSEAD’s Ben Bensaou, left, and John Wei Zheng at the Tokyo Foundation’s office.

Bensaou emphasized the significant role fellowship programs can play in career development, drawing from his own experience as a Rotary International fellowship recipient in 1981. He visited Japan under the scholarship—an opportunity, he says, that “completely changed my life.” Now fluent in Japanese, he went on to earn an MA in management science from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo and has also taught at Aoyama Gakuin University and Keio Business School.

He also highlighted the value of having alumni with diverse expertise in different regions around the world. “This broad network helps people to support each other in becoming even better leaders in their fields,” he explained.  

Zheng, meanwhile, noted that INSEAD has close to a thousand alumni in Japan, including prominent figures like Tsunehiro Nakayama, former chairman of Merrill Lynch Japan and current chairman of the highly esteemed Tokyo Club, and Satoshi Koyama, senior vice-president and chief operating officer for mineral resources at Mitsubishi Corp., who serves as president of the alumni association.

“We hope to leverage the strong networks these alumni have in the Japanese business community to boost INSEAD’s profile here,” Zheng added. “Like Sylff, we prioritize staying connected with our alumni, meeting with them, and inviting faculty to speak at alumni association meetings.”

Bensaou served as the keynote speaker at this year’s INSEAD alumni event, which followed the meeting at the Tokyo Foundation. He shared valuable insights on how to build continuous innovation into the fabric of an organization—be it in the private sector or civil society. His lecture drew on material from his critically acclaimed 2021 book Built to Innovate, whose Japanese translation was just published in February.

The Sylff Association secretariat shares INSEAD’s enthusiasm for actively engaging with alumni, recognizing that the leadership demonstrated by fellows in addressing social issues best demonstrates and enhances the value of a Sylff fellowship.

Bensaou presents a signed, Japanese-translation copy of "Built to Innovate" to the Sylff secretariat staff.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Sylff@Tokyo: Advocating for a More Holistic Approach to Maternal Care

May 1, 2025

The Sylff Association secretariat had the pleasure of reconnecting with Michelle Sadler (University of Chile, 2003) during her visit to the Tokyo Foundation on April 15. Currently a professor at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in Chile and director of the Chilean Observatory of Obstetric Violence, Sadler blends her academic work with her advocacy in civil society, focusing on maternal and reproductive health and rights.

A participant in Sylff’s Visit Japan Program in 2004, Sadler toured various birth centers across Japan—a transformative experience that “profoundly changed my understanding of childbirth models,” she recalls. “What I witnessed contrasted with my limited exposure to Chilean public maternities and sparked a lifelong passion for maternal health and rights. I remain deeply committed to this cause over twenty years later.”

Today, Sadler resides in Athens, Greece, tutoring PhD students and teaching master-level classes online, as well as conducting research. Having completed a Chilean-government-funded project on HIV last year, she is currently focused on examining issues related to breast cancer. Yet, as she emphasizes, “My chief interest has always been childbirth.”

Michelle Sadler, right, and her husband Panagiotis Gatsos during their visit to the Tokyo Foundation.

A Call for Compassionate Care

Childbirth is a profound experience that is fundamental to human survival and deserving of both reverence and compassion, yet it is often reduced to a clinical procedure. “In many cases, women in labor are forced to lie on their backs, connected to fetal monitors, and aren’t allowed to move freely,” Sadler explains. “Their discomfort and fears are frequently dismissed with comments like, ‘It won’t hurt that much’ or ‘Don’t be a complainer.’ This can be said to be a form of obstetric violence.”

Sadler notes that many women, dissatisfied with their birth experience due to disrespect and mistreatment, have sought alternatives by establishing birth centers that embrace midwifery and wellness models. These centers, she believes, are ideal for those who prefer a natural, low-intervention approach to childbirth, including natural pain management techniques. In contrast, hospitals are more suited to mothers requiring a wider range of medical interventions, such as C-sections or epidurals.

Sadler, center, flanked by daughters Eleni to her left and Sofia, stopped by the Foundation during a family trip to Japan.

“Mothers need to be supported in both their physical care and their bonding with their babies,” Sadler asserts. “Unfortunately, during the pandemic, some were isolated from their kids for days to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Xenophobia, especially in the wake of increased migration from countries like Colombia and Venezuela, has also contributed to mistreatment, particularly of migrant women. These women, who were sometimes unfairly suspected of belonging to drug cartels because of their tattoos, were treated as incapable of caring for their infants. This is a clear violation of human rights.”

Addressing Obstetric Violence in Chile

In addition to her academic and research work, Sadler founded the Chilean Observatory of Obstetric Violence, a small team of professionals—including experts in law, journalism, midwifery, and psychology—who, alongside graduate students, volunteer their time to address issues in maternal health and rights.

“We raise awareness through media columns, public forums, and advocating for legislation that promotes a more holistic approach to maternal care,” Sadler explains. “But our most important work is offering direct support to women who are struggling with the system and need professional assistance.”

The Observatory provides counseling, legal advice, and access to health professionals for women who face barriers to the care they seek, often in hospitals that do not accommodate their needs. “While our funding is limited, we have a strong network,” Sadler says. “Our goal is to ensure that every woman who reaches out to us finds a solution to the challenges she is facing.”

The Sylff Association secretariat is proud of Sadler’s critical work to promote maternal health and rights. Her unwavering dedication to improving maternal care is an inspiring example of the power of combining academic expertise with social engagement.

We are always eager to meet Sylff fellows and other Sylff Association members from around the world. If you are in town, please be sure to let us know, and we would be thrilled to welcome you to our office.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Particularistic Approaches to the Legal Regulation of Civil Society Organizations in Authoritarian Systems

April 22, 2025
By 32405

Izabella Deák (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2025) explores how authoritarian regimes exploit concepts like sovereignty and identity to restrict the activities of civil society organizations, undermining democratic processes and limiting public participation in decision-making.

*     *     *

In Hungary, a new law aimed at restricting the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs) that receive foreign funding came into effect in 2023. Called the Law on the Protection of National Sovereignty, it establishes the Sovereignty Protection Office, which holds extensive investigative powers. The Office’s main task is to uncover and investigate activities carried out on behalf of other states, foreign bodies, organizations, or natural persons that could potentially violate or endanger Hungary’s sovereignty.

The Office pays special attention to activities aimed at influencing democratic debate and the decision-making processes of persons exercising public authority. It also identifies and investigates organizations that use foreign funding for activities that may influence election outcomes or voter will.

The Office can access data of the investigated organization or individuals, including sensitive personal data, allowing for unlimited data collection. It is important to note that the law does not provide for legal remedies against such procedures, which raises serious concerns from a rule of law perspective. If the Office’s investigation reveals irregularities that require further action (such as misdemeanor, criminal, or administrative procedures), it notifies the competent authorities. 

Undermining Democratic Public Life

The law lacks precise definitions of key concepts like sovereignty and advocacy activities, leaving room for arbitrary interpretation and application. This allows the Office to potentially investigate anyone suspected of serving foreign interests or endangering national sovereignty.

A particularly concerning aspect of the legislation is that the Office can investigate activities aimed at influencing democratic debate and public decision-making. This provision could potentially suppress dissenting opinions and discourage citizens from actively participating in public affairs. Freedom of expression and the right to participate in decision-making are closely linked to the freedoms of association and assembly, which form the basis of CSO operations. Restricting these rights also jeopardizes the right of CSOs to raise their voices and represent the communities they serve. Thus, the law is capable of undermining democratic public life and social publicity by stigmatizing and intimidating citizens and CSOs active in public affairs.

The Office is producing reports on an increasing number of CSOs and adding more to its lists with the intention of stigmatizing them.

The representatives of the organizations forming the Civilization coalition, an alliance established in Hungary in 2017 to enable CSOs to jointly stand up against the government’s oppressive efforts.

The outlined restriction on civil society organizations is not an isolated case. The number of laws restricting the establishment, operation, and activities of CSOs that perform social control functions is increasing year by year. The rise in the number of restrictive laws is closely linked to the expansion of authoritarian systems. The reason for this lies in the nature of the social control function. These organizations draw attention to the very irregularities that characterize an authoritarian government: anomalies in the system of checks and balances, state corruption, personal conflicts of interest, and, not least, human rights violations.

CSOs performing social control functions can be classified, on the one hand, as watchdog, advocacy, and human rights organizations. Through their role in monitoring and counterbalancing power, these organizations serve as guarantees of democracy. Their activities can influence public policies, promote the enforcement of rights, and highlight the interests of marginalized or minority groups. Additionally, they strive to create and redistribute economic, social, and political capital for marginalized groups.

On the other hand, there are also CSOs whose services are inseparable from representing the interests of their target groups (such as the poor, the disadvantaged, or the homeless) or whose cultural activities are inherently tied to advocating for the recognition of minorities. In these cases, even if CSOs do not directly engage in advocacy and the protection of rights, they still play a significant role in shaping government policy.

Façade of Pluralism

Traditional autocracies are characterized by the prohibition of the establishment of independent CSOs, networks, and social circles. Systems resembling traditional autocracies today do not have an autonomous civil sphere either, as the state prevents the creation of independent CSOs. One notable feature of modern authoritarian regimes, though, is their avoidance of outright bans. They can appear pluralistic but actually implement only limited and superficial pluralism.

The freedom of civil society is constrained, for example, by heavy restrictions on spaces for public debate where state actions could be questioned.[1] In other words, modern authoritarian systems strive to exclude alternative opinions from public discourse.[2] This approach allows them to create the illusion of democracy while continuing to severely restrict genuine civil activity and independent expression of opinion. Behind the façade of pluralism lies a structure that effectively hinders the formation and operation of an autonomous civil sphere.

Therefore, modern autocratic efforts often lead to the erosion of autonomy, as reflected in measures against CSOs that perform social control functions.[3] A significant portion of such measures attempt to undermine the activities of CSOs through restrictive legislation that grants government actors a greater degree of control and oversight over the civil society sector, thereby violating the freedom of association of CSOs. The restrictions delegitimize the operation of CSOs, reduce their impact in the areas of human rights and advocacy, and threaten sanctions for violating the laws.

The restrictions on CSOs can be wide-ranging. They may relate to registration procedures for establishing CSOs and re-registration procedures. They can affect CSOs’ access to foreign funding, with laws intended to combat money laundering and terrorism being used against CSOs. They can increase the administrative burden on CSOs, hinder their collaboration with foreign CSOs, and limit their freedom of expression. Finally, they can extend to the unlawful dissolution of CSOs.

The protest organized by the Civilization coalition against the “Stop Soros” legislative package. The package targeted Hungarian CSOs that were involved in any form of work with asylum seekers and refugees.

Indicators of Democratic Backsliding

My research examines the aforementioned restriction mechanisms, with a focus on cases where countries reference their unique national culture and traditions to misuse concepts such as sovereignty, nation, or identity. The goal of this research is to explore how these restrictions reflect either a particularistic approach of the respective country or fit into a relatively uniform pattern. I also look at how particularistic approaches can be reconciled with universal legal standards and norms, such as the protection of human rights, the requirements of democracy, and the rule of law. The minimum standards developed by the European Court of Human Rights in its judgments relating to civil society organizations are used as a benchmark.

According to the research hypothesis, in most cases the seemingly particularistic interpretations of the concepts by authoritarian or authoritarian-leaning countries are not in line with universal constitutional principles. Because local approaches should remain within the frameworks defined by universal principles, restrictions on the fundamental rights of CSOs are acceptable only if they are in line with universal principles—that is, if they comply with the freedom of association that applies to everyone.

If these restrictions are specifically used to weaken the social control function, they violate the equality of CSOs before the law, since the CSOs performing social control functions will be unable to participate in the political public sphere to the same extent as other CSOs, and the freedom of association of their staff and members will be disproportionately impacted.

This, in turn, violates the principle of nondiscrimination, meaning it is contrary to universal constitutional principles. Laws and state authorities must treat CSOs equally in terms of rules regarding their establishment, operation, and activities. The differential treatment of various CSOs is considered discriminatory if it lacks objective and reasonable justification, as when such treatment does not pursue a legitimate aim or when there is no reasonable proportionality between the means employed and the objectives set.

Conversely, differentiation is permissible if it does not result in inequalities; in other words, if a particularistic approach is used, it must not be unjustifiably exclusionary. If the hypothesis is confirmed, discriminatory laws adopted by states that restrict the social control function can be viewed as an indicator of autocratization.

This research builds upon a previous empirical study that examined and categorized laws in effect between September 2022 and February 2023 in terms of specific restrictions on CSOs. My current research has two main objectives: to review the original data to determine which restrictions remained in force in 2023 and to expand the focus of research to include unlawful cases of CSO dissolution, where dissolution occurs by invoking vague concepts. The research is conducted using the comparative constitutional law method, with the following sources being analyzed to identify restrictive legislation: reports from the CIVICUS Monitor, Freedom House’s Freedom in the World, ICNL’s Civic Freedom Monitor, and USAID’s CSO Sustainability Index Explorer, as well as annual reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The restrictions identified in these sources are verified against the relevant laws of the countries involved.

The chosen method aims to capture authoritarian tendencies by comparing the democracy index scores generated during monitoring procedures of various international organizations and research institutes. Therefore, I compare the identified restrictions with the democracy index classification of the countries applying these restrictions.

Specifically, I am creating a database containing the following information: which countries have laws that include restrictions causing the dysfunctionality of CSOs, what type of restriction involves the use of vague concepts, and into which category the countries in question are classified by the three democracy indices used as reference points (V-Dem’s Global Regimes of the World, Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index, and the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index). The indices’ reports published in 2024 contain the countries’ classifications for 2023, so the research period is also limited to the year 2023.

The goal of my research is to demonstrate that a characteristic feature of modern authoritarian systems is their exploitation of concepts such as sovereignty, nation, and identity for their own purposes. These regimes seek to restrict and ultimately eliminate the social control function as comprehensively as possible. Within such frameworks, the equality and freedom of CSOs performing social control functions become unattainable, despite the façade of democratic processes that contemporary authoritarian regimes often maintain.

[1] Andrew Arato and Jean L. Cohen, Populism and Civil Society: The Challenge to Constitutional (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022), 129.

[2] Guillermo O’Donnell, Phillipe C. Schmitter, and Laurence Whitehead, Transitions from Authoritarian Rule (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986), 48.

[3] Gábor Attila Tóth, “Constitutional Markers of Authoritarianism,” Hague Journal on the Rule of Law 11, no. 1 (2019): 37–61.

  • HOME
  • 投稿者 : ld-sylff

Life after School for Rural Youth in India

April 22, 2025
By 19633

Higher education is a distant dream for many students in rural India owing to limited resources and cultural barriers. In May 2024, Khinvraj Jangid (Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2009–11) hosted an SLI workshop in his hometown of Jodhpur to share insights on the paths local students can take to pursue their aspirations.

*     *     *

Education remains an elusive privilege for millions residing in rural India, where access to quality schooling is constrained by systemic inequities. Successfully completing basic education often hinges on fortuitous circumstances, which in turn influence prospects for higher education, gainful employment, and economic self-reliance.

With approximately 65% of India’s population living in rural areas and 47% reliant on agriculture for subsistence, the youth in these regions grapple with formidable socioeconomic challenges. Their aspirations frequently confront structural limitations, beginning with underfunded village schools administered by government bodies struggling to allocate adequate resources.

Indian governments have historically faced the herculean task of addressing fundamental needs, such as livelihood generation, housing, water and sanitation, transportation, electricity, and healthcare. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has made significant strides, such as by constructing over 100 million toilets in rural areas since 2014 and providing more than 100 million cooking gas cylinders to rural households to alleviate health risks from wood-burning stoves.

While laudable, these initiatives underscore the stark developmental gaps that define rural India.

“What Will Education Achieve?”

In this context, rural childhoods are often bereft of libraries, books, arts and crafts, stationery, or literature. Yet, despite these deficiencies, the intellectual curiosity and aspirations of rural youth remain resilient, frequently outstripping the limited resources available in their schools.

The absence of meaningful infrastructural and pedagogical support often results in a stifled potential that remains unfulfilled unless external interventions—mentors, scholarships, or access to facilities—become available.

As someone born and raised in a rural village in Rajasthan, I was fortunate to encounter inspirational educators and to access a library outside my village, which enabled me to transcend the constraints of my immediate environment. Such experiences highlight the transformative power of even modest interventions, which can help break the cycles of poverty and stagnation that characterize rural life.

For most rural youth, though, the transition from school to life beyond often represents uncharted terrain. Many adults in these communities do not pursue education beyond high school due to the prohibitive costs and geographical inaccessibility of colleges. Even those who manage to attend often return disillusioned when their academic qualifications fail to translate into employment opportunities, reinforcing the pervasive skepticism encapsulated in the phrase, padhne se hoga kya (what will education achieve?).

This sentiment, prevalent when I was a student three decades ago, remains deeply entrenched today. The disconnect between higher education and employment is exemplified by the alarming case in 2018, when tens of thousands of overqualified individuals—holding PhDs and master’s and bachelor’s degrees—applied for peon positions in Uttar Pradesh, a role requiring only a fifth-grade education. These cases reflect not only the dearth of quality job opportunities but also the systemic inefficiencies in linking education with skill development and labor market needs.

While some individuals achieve success through self-motivation, perseverance, and familial financial support, they are often regarded as anomalies, unattainable exemplars for the majority lacking comparable resources or mentorship.

Persistent Sense of Inferiority

The transition from rural to urban spaces involves not only academic challenges but also cultural and social adaptation. Rural students must navigate the complexities of competition, meritocracy, and the academic rigor demanded by city-based institutions, while simultaneously contending with the cultural dissonance of urban life.

This adjustment encompasses language barriers, behavioral norms, and societal expectations, all of which can profoundly influence a student’s academic trajectory. The inadequacies of village schools in preparing students for such transitions are particularly pronounced with regard to the English language, which dominates as the medium of instruction in reputable institutions.

For rural students, English is often a foreign tongue, absent from their households, neighborhoods, and schools, resulting in acute underconfidence and a persistent sense of inferiority. The lack of early exposure to English not only hampers their academic performance but also perpetuates a sense of social exclusion, as they struggle to communicate effectively in environments dominated by urban and cosmopolitan peers.

While acquiring proficiency in English is feasible, the interim period is fraught with challenges, as rural students find themselves at a disadvantage compared to their urban peers, who possess linguistic fluency and cultural capital.

Need for Institutional Support Mechanisms

This disparity frequently engenders a sense of alienation among rural students in urban educational settings, spaces they perceive as gateways to a brighter future. Coping with this alienation often entails enduring loneliness as they strive to form connections with peers whose backgrounds and experiences differ markedly from their own.

The psychological toll of this transition is compounded by the constant pressure to adapt quickly, a task made more difficult by the absence of institutional support mechanisms that could facilitate smoother integration. For instance, mentorship programs, bridge courses, or targeted language training could significantly alleviate these challenges, but such interventions remain sporadic and underfunded.

It was to provide such intervention that I organized the workshop “Life after School for the Rural Youth of Jodhpur” as a Sylff Leadership Initiative in May 2024. The workshop aimed at providing information, inspiration, and assistance to enable the rural youth of Jodhpur, India, to move on to higher education.

Specifically, the agenda included (a) addressing the aspirations and fears of the village youth about higher education, (b) identifying essential skills (such as reading, writing, and speaking), (c) highlighting the critical role of the English language in higher education, and (d) cultivating emotional intelligence and self-awareness with the help of life coaches.

The author discusses higher education opportunities with participants of the May 2024 workshop in Jodhpur, India.

Forty high school students participated, a majority of them girls. The results of this workshop were extraordinary and rewarding for them. It was the first of its kind for their parents as well, who joined the orientation and concluding sessions and committed to supporting the education of their daughters and sons upon learning, through the workshop, that there are plenty of accessible opportunities—something that they knew little about before.

Participating in workshops, summer schools, and short seminars before completion of one’s schooling can be life-changing experiences. All the students were grateful for such an experience and for the many takeaways, including new insights into how to pursue a subject, what is crucial in language skills, how to work on personality development, and interpersonal skills.

Surmounting Structural Inequalities

Despite the challenges they face, many rural students demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their journeys often exemplify the interplay of determination, resourcefulness, and external support. The process of overcoming these barriers demands resilience and determination, driven by the aspiration to attain personal growth and socioeconomic stability. For rural youth, education represents both a pathway to opportunity and a stark reflection of the structural inequalities they must surmount to succeed in a rapidly evolving India.

However, for education to truly serve as a vehicle for empowerment, systemic reforms are imperative. These include enhanced investment in rural schools, targeted mentorship programs, and robust policies that bridge the gap between education and employment. Only then can the potential of rural youth be fully realized, transforming not only their lives but also the socioeconomic landscape of India.