A Tryst with Statecraft, Here the Future

S7 E1: Unpacking India's Digital Healthcare

Welcome to the season premiere of Voicing Youth Research from the Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (CIS)! This season, we’re bringing our youth-led research to the forefront, pairing our young researchers with leading experts to give a fresh, youth-focused look at today’s biggest policy issues. In our first episode, we dive into India's evolving digital healthcare landscape. Our host, Teresa Kuruvila and CIS Research Fellow, Aditya Prakash Magdum [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaprakashmagdum/], sit down with global health specialist Sireesha Perabathina [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sireesha-perabathina/] to unpack the complexities of the system. They’ll clear up common misconceptions about the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), reimagine the future of Primary Health Centres, and discuss the critical policy shifts needed to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). But this isn't just a technical discussion. We also explore the future: How can young people from diverse fields like tech, design, and public policy help drive this transformation, and what does genuine youth engagement actually look like? Episode Highlights : * Reimagining how primary healthcare can better serve underserved regions. * A deep dive into digital equity, supply chains, and policy shifts for Universal Health Coverage. * A call for meaningful youth engagement across public policy, tech, and design.

Insider Conversations: Ours and the World's Perception of PSC

How does a youth-led volunteering organization see itself, and how is it perceived by the world around it? In this introspective episode of A Tryst with Statecraft’s Insider Conversations, host Teresa Kuruvila delves into the public perception of Project Statecraft with Riya K. Hira, our Learning Experience Designer and Chief Programs Officer, and Sudharma Dwadasi, a communications professional, former Head of Public Relations, and Advisor. The discussion offers a unique look at Project Statecraft's evolution, highlighting its shift in thematic areas from leadership and sustainable development goals to civic engagement, climate, and gender. Riya emphasizes the organization's commitment to learning from its failures and creating inclusive spaces for young people.   Sudharma provides valuable insights into the challenges of crafting effective messaging for education and capacity building, particularly in reaching diverse audiences. He underscores the importance of experimentation and resilience in communication.   The conversation further explores Project Statecraft's innovative approach to education, focusing on experiential learning and empowering young people as changemakers. Riya highlights the organization's initiative to reinvent learning experiences and foster a sense of contribution among young learners. Tune into the conversation and gain valuable insights into our journey, challenges, and vision for the future.

Insider Conversations: Leadership, Policy, and Future of PSC

Join host Teresa Kuruvila in this episode of Insider Conversations, produced by Ananya, as we sit down with Sangyukta Das, Editor-in-Chief at Project Statecraft (PSC), and Zeeshan Ali, Director of Public Policy. They share their journeys in leadership, policy research, and youth empowerment, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the organization. Sangyukta, an environmental economics and policy expert from the London School of Economics, and Zeeshan, a policy strategist specializing in national security and foreign policy, discuss their transition into leadership roles at PSC. They reflect on their early assignments, team dynamics, and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths. We explore how PSC adapted to the challenges of remote work during the COVID era and the evolving landscape of policy engagement in the attention economy. Zeeshan and Sangyukta candidly discuss navigating setbacks, handling leadership pressures, and keeping their teams motivated through uncertainty. From overcoming remote collaboration challenges to their motivations for staying in a virtual-first organization, this conversation offers key insights into leadership, resilience, and the future of PSC. Tune in for an exclusive look at what drives the leaders of PSC and where the organization is headed next!

Insider Conversations: Genesis of Policy Research at PSC

Welcome to the season premiere of Insider Conversations. In this episode, we delve into the genesis of policy research at Project Statecraft (PSC) with founder Abhishek Sudke and Shreyas Ashok Kumar, advisor and former VP of Data Analytics. We explore why the research was the foundational division of PSC. Shreyas details the importance of data and integrity focus on the overall research processes that have driven PSC's evidence-based approach. We tackle the contemporary debate surrounding the boon or bane of AI in data analytics and research, specifically addressing its implications for public policy. Abhishek shares proud achievements from PSC's journey and offers practical advice to young individuals considering a career in public policy. They both provide insights into an area of public policy they wish PSC was more involved in, and they'll candidly discuss some of the initiatives that PSC had in mind but didn't come to fruition. Finally, we discuss what's next for PSC, outlining the organization's future direction.

Inclusive and Youth-Led Digital Transformation for Public Health

In our final episode of this season, we dive into the transformative potential of AI for digital health and the central role young people play in its future with Pallavi Jain, Program Lead (Digital Health) and Secretariat Lead of Youth Ownership of Digital Health (YoDH) at PATH. With over a decade of expertise in the development sector, Pallavi shares her perspective on how innovative technologies are reshaping healthcare access and delivery, especially in marginalized communities. This conversation explores: ● Potential of AI and digital transformation to make healthcare accessible and affordable to millions of people in India. ● Challenges in implementing digital tools in underserved areas—and solutions to overcome them. ● The importance of disseminating policies that regulate AI, telemedicine, and wearables among the users, especially young people, to ensure equity and accountability. ● The role of youth in shaping inclusive, scalable digital health solutions through participation and representation across levels and sectors. ● Efforts to engage young people on platforms such as YoDH and the future dividends it would pay in the form of improved solutions. From bridging the digital divide to fostering accessible and personalized healthcare technologies, this episode provides actionable insights for anyone invested in the future of healthcare. How can we make digital health technologies accessible, scalable, and equitable for all? Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform to explore these critical issues.