India's youth, who form more than half the country's population, should be given a boost to develop leadership qualities to bring positive changes in the world, veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi said here Monday.

"I have high expectations from the youth of India. Fifty percent of the country's population is under the age of 25 and we should give them a boost to take things forward and develop leadership qualities to bring positive change in the world, " said Shabana here.

Shabana was here to launch the fourth cycle of the Oxfam International Youth Partnerships Programme (OIYP) Kaleidoscope 2010.

Being held in India for the first time ever, the programme brings together 300 youth action partners between 18-25 years from about 100 countries to refine their knowledge and skills to undertake community based projects. An eight-day event, it will end Nov 29.