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CELEBRATING YOUTH

Aug 22, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

On August 12, youths in Guyana joined their counterparts around the world in celebrating International Youth Day (IYD) which was first observed 17 years ago. IYD was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 1999, on the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth – held in Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998 – that August 12 be declared International Youth Day.
The occasion is an awareness day designated by the United Nations for governments, organizations and the business sectors to draw attention to the issues affecting youths worldwide and to find solutions. It is also dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as social justice and sustainable peace. This year’s theme was “Youth Building Peace.”
There has been growing recognition that youths are the agents of change and the future leaders of the world. In Guyana, the current generation of youths is the largest in nation’s history, comprising more than 60 percent of the population, which means that they are by far the majority of voters in the country. In the broadest sense, this reaffirms their important role.
The current administration must make it its priority to include young people in the decision-making process, as well as provide them with access to quality education, health care and basic services. Their role as active contributors to society can afford them with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals. When our youths are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and criminal acts. Therefore, identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people is a precondition for sustaining a peaceful society.
Often when it comes to politics, many of our youths have shown little or no interest. Some did not vote in previous elections. However, the last election was a turning point for the most youths who were disenchanted with the status quo and wanted change. As a result, they turned out in large numbers and voted for change, because they realized that the country was at a crossroads.
Not only did youths vote in the last election, but they also carefully evaluated each party’s positions on a number of issues that have impacted their lives. Their objective was to make sure that their voices were heard and that they were adequately represented in the decision-making process.
Most youths believe that the quality of fiscal management will influence the future of education, employment opportunities, cost of living and the standard of living. Another dimension relates to national security. On this particular issue, many youths believe that the current government has the ability to put the national interest above narrow party politics, especially in dealing with the border dispute with Venezuela and the safeguarding of citizens from crime.
A third aspect involves health care. This necessitates the development of a proper system to ensure that patients are treated with dignity, a reduction in infant mortality, and a comprehensive prevention mechanism for chronic diseases. Adequate care not only makes a nation healthy, but it also prevents unnecessary deaths.
Education is another very important element. It is a self-enlightening process that is crucial to the overall development of youths. It is an empowering tool that enables one to be productive, creative and solve problems. Education enriches society and is an asset for the socio-economic and political development of the country.
We believe that International Youth Day has made a positive contribution to the youths of Guyana over the years. It has made them more aware of the leadership capable of creating a healthy and safe environment for all to live in harmony. It is appropriate and essential that we celebrate our youth.

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