A message to our youth

Feb 07, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
My contribution is inspired by the faith and vision of Noha Tarek, an Egyptian graduate student studying political science. Noha proclaimed to a BBC News reporter that she is participating in Egypt’s pro democracy rallies for greater prosperity, peace and freedoms even if her participation results in her death.
Noha’s self-less commitment is in fact a metaphor of her belief in a better potential of her country and a belief in the Egyptian peoples’ ability to bring about peaceful and democratic development.
In Guyana we have seen the birth of approximately three generations of Guyanese since our achievement of sovereign independence. Prior to and since 1964 our parents, particularly our grandparents have lived, worked and played once perceived as the Caribbean’s bread basket, then as an impoverished an isolated dictatorship and now as a narco-communist kleptocracy.
Our fore parents lived and worked with a nagging unfulfilled hope that we today’ would have inherited a peaceful, prosperous and united Guyana. One in which we would have the best educational and health facilities, the best opportunities to develop our talents and grow and a Guyana that we would want to stay and further develop.
Truth is that studies by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank show that most of us prefer to make a living in a country other than Guyana. In fact more than half of the annual graduates from the University of Guyana leave the country and/or have plans to leave.
Taking this into consideration, I would venture to say that most of the persons leaving Guyana are teenagers and young adults. As a result most of us are indifferent and strategically detached from ail of Guyana, because we have either left or have plans to leave. In an electoral context, we find ourselves in a situation in which our youth population is hardly enthusiastic about the prospects of Guyana and an older, disillusioned and exhausted population that is resistant to change.
This is my basic theory, citrus paribus, as to why we are currently experiencing unacceptable levels of socio-political apathy and a dis and under-empowered youth population in Guyana.
In the run-up to national elections the youth of Guyana have an opportunity to demand that our collective voice is heard and acted upon. We have the opportunity to fulfill the dreams of our fore parents for a peaceful, prosperous and united Guyana. We have the opportunity to demand and begin the transformative change toward a Guyana, irrespective of age, economic status and/or cultural identity and background, which gives us the best opportunities for growth, development and investment.
By consolidating our demands and aspirations we can move mountains in a constructive way that enhances the functioning and responsiveness of social, economic, cultural, and political and governance institutions. The first choice we must all make is that we will no longer accept and continue to bear the burden of outdated policies, programmes, services and social relations that our fore parents struggled so bravely to transcend so we may inherit a prosperous and peaceful Guyana.
It is time that we the youth of Guyana embrace collective responsibility for the potential and future of Guyana. It is time that we organise our creative talents, resources and socio-political rights to elect and work with a government truly of the people, a government that is progressively and whole-heartedly committed to mobilizing and empowering a nation toward prosperity, peace, cohesiveness and uncompromised democracy.
No doubt whether we choose to stand idly by or become actively involved in transforming Guyana, collectively and individually we will reap what we sow. Our time has come, this is our potential tipping point and opportunity to leave our imprint for a better Guyana by positively contributing to social, economic and governance discourse and initiatives.
In gratitude to our fore parents, inspired by the vision and faith of Noha Tarek and with full cognizance of our ability to transform Guyana for the best, let us seize the moment! We cannot continue to point fingers and blame others when we ourselves have not displayed the courage, faith and vision to be agents of the changes we all seek.
R. Small

Share this:
Click to print (Opens in new window)
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Similar Articles

> The police must have a written use of force policy

> Bisram’s hubristic narratives and intellectual acrobatics

> Like the Phoenix, CLC will rise from the ashes

> Gross underpayment of govt. medical officers

> World Tuberculosis Day 2025: A Call to Action

> The PPP’s embrace of Trump’s agenda

> Commissioner Khafra’s Response to the Group of ERC...

> The police have lost completely, all control of our traffic...

> Why does an AG need a weekly show?

> Babu Jaan must reflect Cheddi Jagan’s Vision, Not Betray...

> Make the most of Rubio’s visit to Guyana

> Arrest and detaining of Melly Mel by ICE is not about PPP/C

> Nothing is voluntary in paying taxes due

> OGGN Urges Minister Gail Teixeira to Address UN Concerns on...

> Venezuelan Hybrid War “Governor” tactic