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I am deeply convinced that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development, which is a framework to achieve a higher quality of life for all people. Sustainable development, which integrates the social, economic and environmental factors in decision-making, must become the central organizing principle underpinning our societies.
I also recognize that sustained economic growth in the context of sustainable development is necessary to sustain social development and social justice, and that social development is central to the needs and aspirations of people throughout the world and to the responsibilities of Governments and all sectors of civil society. There can only be a change if the government is sensitized with the reason for a change and one need to raise a constructive argument with the governmental agencies concerned.
I have over the years in my own capacity committed myself, our Governments and our nation to enhancing social development throughout the country so that all men and women, especially those living in poverty, may exercise the rights, utilize the resources and share the responsibilities that enable them to life satisfying lives and to contribute to the well-being of their families, their communities and humankind.
So how will youth play a role in all of this?
Any country without plans to invest in youth development and involvement is close to collapsing, because youth holds the future of their society. All over the world, young people are working on environment, development and social justice issues; I have led youth groups that have continued to demonstrated to the government the important role the youths play in nation-building sustainability.
Sustainable development involves new ways of thinking, new ways of doing things. The potential lies in young people to generate these changes. We have good initiatives on ground that will continue to work for the good course of sustainability in development and justice. The responsibility for the path we take in the future lies in the hands of today's youth, whether we continue the current rates of destruction, or create a more equitable and peaceful society. My question for the youth like myself is: What role as a young person will you play? I develop and support a peer-to-peer learning environment where youth teach each other through workshops aimed at skill-building, showcasing projects, and building mentorship relationships among the network.
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Temitope Adeoye Oketunji
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Young People need to influence the Future Philip McMaster | May 16th, 2003
If young people want a world to grow up in, they must act on influencing their parents and their peers to conserve the environment, our resources, and the variety in our cultural heritages.
If you allow older adults to convince you that you should consume all the temporary trends and technology, when YOU are consuming adults, the variety and abundance of nature will be severely limited if it is there at all.
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