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In general, how has the mass media influenced young people in your national movement to achieve the MDGs?
“Their role should be very important I suppose,” stated Luan Yin, a Mathematic Student at the University of Brunei Darussalam, “but I have not seen much efficiency. There is no dedicated channel for youth at all.”
“In Malaysia, we have several programs on TV for youth. One of them is especially for girls, if I am not mistaken, the rest are more towards entertainments,” Shyuan, a Finance Student at the University of Multimedia, Malaysia expressed. He expected to have a new channel or special program where young people in his country can discuss or debate on various issues including what are going on with the national MDG Campaign.
Meanwhile, Richard, an Information Technology Management Graduate of the Ateneo De Manila University, shared his excitement that his beloved Philippines had a wide range of publications as well as TV shows, programs for youth and “the mass media in my country have made positive contributions to the national development. Through the media, the Pinoys youth do have their own voice in the country.”
In fact, there is a significant lack of knowledge about the MDGs, so what are your suggestions?
Everyone, even those who had no idea of the MDGs and the MC, agreed with Farhan (Singapore), “A lot more need to be done, especially to inform, encourage and involve more young people all over the world.” However, we need some solutions to the national, regional and international MDG Campaign.
“To raise the awareness of the MDGs among people, we should best use media to disseminate information and invite celebrities to talk about it. We open forums for people to discuss. We also can publicize the campaign through road shows. In Singapore, we even display our national Exercise and Eat Healthy campaign on the MRTs,” said Desmond, a Financial and Information System Management Student at Singapore Management University.
Shyuan (Malaysia) added that we should give out examples through mass media. “Apparently, real examples of many enthusiastic activists for the MDGs will easily attract many other people, especially youth.”
Christopher (the Philippines) recommended, “For national campaign, we should improve budget allocations on health, education, environment and social welfare programs. Bulk of the budget has to be allocated in catering these basic needs in order to uplift quality of life. For regional campaign, I guess everyone expect a better integration of neighbouring countries. Conflicts and disputes like border disputes and foreign policy disputes have to be settled immediately without jeopardizing each other’s economy and citizens. Governments have to develop close relations with its neighbours because spillover effects of whatever problems close countries are experiencing. And lastly, for our global MC, every country needs to cooperate with UNDP resolutions and treaties. We should forge new ties and stronger bonds to not only the allies but also to countries that need help. We should share knowledge and developments so that more can benefit.”
In terms of engaging young people in the MDG Campaign, Nutta, an International Business Management Graduate at the Chulalongkorn University, Thailand proposed, “Governmental supports to instil and encourage the youth to be conscious of their crucial role in the efforts to achieve the MDGs by 2015 must be put forward.” She mentioned the strong Youth Network that the National Youth Council in some countries had built and she believed that was a vital factor to help enhance the success of the MC.
Nutta’s views were appreciated by Richard (the Philippines), “In addition, it is the government that should acknowledge different groups of the young people, both labour and educated, as different potential resources in their national development, particularly in their endeavours to reach 8 MDGs by 2015.”
“I am thinking of the power of the Internet...websites, forums, e-bulletins, e-communities, e-mails and such like, we have so many good means to propagate the MDGs but have we utilized them effectively enough? Have the youth considered seriously the possibilities to take action via the Internet?” questioned Patrick, a Development Associate of the Peace and Equity Foundation, the Philippines.
Patrick’s question was neither specially meant to anyone of these young people from three-fifths of ASEAN Community, nor implied at you who are “informed, inspired and involved” members of TakingITGlobal. However, it might make you and the other youth think of your involvement in the Millennium Development Goal Campaign of your country, of your region and of our whole world.
Friends, ask yourself then tell me, what is your response?
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Romi Nhung
*^-^* Romi *^-^*
Ask the Possible of the Impossible, "Where is your dwelling-place?" "In the dreams of the Impotents," comes the answer.
~ Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)~
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Acknowledgement Romi Nhung | Apr 1st, 2005
Dear SIF Alumni :)
I would like to thank all of you for supporting me in one way or another. Even those who were not able to join with the talk, you have encouraged me so much to go on this work. My dearest Maida, your "Starfish" story still keeps inspiring me... See you all next Friday in Singapore! *^-^*
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