“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
Raksha Shenoy is a youth worker and community engagement practitioner from Karnataka, India, actively involved in promoting International Voluntary Service (IVS), youth participation, and grassroots social impact. She is currently working as a YDP Coordinator with FSL India, her nominating organisation, where she works closely with young people from diverse social and economic backgrounds through volunteer programmes, educational initiatives, and community-based learning spaces. Her work centres on creating inclusive and participatory spaces where young people can learn through experience, reflection, and collective action.Â
She is passionate about youth empowerment, intercultural learning, sustainable communities, and strengthening the role of volunteering as a pathway for personal growth and social change. Raksha particularly values approaches that connect grassroots realities with global conversations, ensuring that local voices remain visible in international spaces.
As a member of the CCIVS Youth Committee, Raksha contributes to strengthening youth voices within the IVS movement and supporting collaborative spaces where young people can shape advocacy, strategy, and future directions of international volunteering. Her participation in global platforms, including reflection and advocacy processes, reflects her interest in connecting local realities with international policy discussions. Through her role in the Youth Committee, she hopes to help build more equitable, accessible, and youth-led IVS spaces that empower young people to become active contributors to their communities and the wider world.