Ban Ki-Moon calls on youths to lead a major push for inclusive democracy

Sep 16, 2014 News

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–    Justice Trotman wants Guyana to take up challenge

As international Day of Democracy was observed yesterday under the theme, “Engaging Young People on Democracy,” United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon called on youths to “lead a major push for inclusive democracy around the world.”
In analyzing Guyana’s own shortcomings in achieving a full democratic reality, Chairman of the United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG), Justice Donald Trotman has posited that Guyana would be better off should local youths take up Ban Ki-Moon’s challenge. He said that young people in Guyana should no longer see it fit to be silent on matters of democracy.

Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives.
The UN General Assembly, in resolution A/62/7 (2007) encouraged Governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy, and also decided that September 15 of each year should be observed as the International Day of Democracy.
Activities carried out by the United Nations in support of efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate democracy are undertaken in accordance with the UN Charter, and only at the specific request of the Member States concerned.
This year’s theme – Engaging Young People on Democracy – highlights the challenges and opportunities of young people engaging in democratic processes.
The United Nations yesterday declared that people between the ages of 15 and 25 constitute a fifth of the world’s population. It is said that, in many developing countries, the proportion is even higher – with the majority of young people today living in low – and middle-income countries.
Yet, according to the United Nations, “study after study shows declining faith among young people in politics as we know it, with decreasing levels of participation in elections, political parties and traditional social organizations across the world. This applies to both established and emerging democracies. At the same time, informal, youth-led movements for democratic change are on the rise in a number of countries – including in fragile states. Using new communication channels in social networks, young people are making their mark on democracy-building in untraditional ways.”
In his message to the world yesterday, Ki-Moon said that even as International Day of Democracy is being observed, “the world seems more turbulent than ever. In many regions and in many ways, the values of the United Nations, including some of the most fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the UN Charter, are being tested and challenged.”
The Secretary General said that recent outbreaks of violence reinforces a truth seen time and time again that where societies are not inclusive, and where governments are not responsive and accountable, peace, equality and shared prosperity cannot take hold.
He said that more needs to be done to empower individuals and the focus should be on the billions of people who are underprivileged, marginalized, jobless, hopeless and understandably frustrated. “We need to ensure they are heard and can take an active part in their future.”
“That is why my message today goes out to those who will be at the forefront of the world beyond 2015, and who by nature are at a turning point in their own lives: young people.”
Acknowledging that one person out of five today is between the ages of 15 and 24, Ki-Moon said that never before has the transition from youth to adulthood been so weighed by challenges, yet so blessed by opportunities.
“You have powers to network that would have been unimaginable when the United Nations was founded nearly 70 years ago. You are connecting about issues that matter: injustice, discrimination, human rights abuses; the discourse of hate and the need for human solidarity.”
With that being said, Ki-Moon called on members of the largest generation of youth in history to confront challenges and consider what can be done to resolve them.
He asked that young people also take control of their destiny and translate their dreams into a “better future for all; to contribute to building stronger and better democratic societies; to work together, to use your creative thinking, to become architects of a future that leaves no one behind. To help set our world on course for a better future. On this International Day of Democracy, I call on young people everywhere to lead a major push for inclusive democracy around the world.”
Chairman of the United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG), Justice Donald Trotman expressed disappointment that Guyana didn’t make a big deal of the day. As a matter of fact, the former Judge lamented the fact that the day wasn’t even acknowledged by most sections of the Guyanese society.
He told Kaieteur News, that the levels of Democracy in Guyana are still to catch up with some parts of the world.
Justice Trotman reminded that one’s democratic right is also one’s constitutional right.
He touched on the fact that the absence of Local Government elections in Guyana in over 20 years is robbing Guyanese of their rights.
Trotman explained that his organization in not aligned politically but finds it necessary to see that democracy in Guyana is maintained and more importantly, developed.
Yesterday Trotman joined Talk Show host, Patricia Wilson on a programmed that was hosted in acknowledgment of International Day of Democracy. Kaieteur News reporter, Abena Rockcliffe and Pastor Remington Nelson also appeared on that programme.
During the programme, panelists spoke on the basic concept of democracy, Guyana’s journey on the democratic road; the interest of Guyanese youth in maintaining and developing democracy locally; democracy in Christianity and the work of the UNAG.

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