|
|
Johannesburg, August 2000 – There must have been a huge hunt for the best ‘marketing’ guys to come and do their stuff at WSSD 2002.
Most organisations’ profiles and documents displayed at the World Summit venue here are very well thought out and presented in fine form. Sustainable development solutions for the world’s poor, fashioning a new deal are just a couple of the sweet catch phrases. But how much of this will come true?
One of the major stakeholders in sustainable development issues is young people. One wonders though whether we will have any real involvement or even an effective platform to air our views.
Every generation since Socrates points a woeful finger at the next. And yet, every generation needs to acknowledge the strengths and attributes of young people. Young people are an incredible source of knowledge, energy and talent. Promoting increased participation by the young people requires helping bent-backs to change their attitudes about young people. These days there seems to be a growing hopelessness about young people’s abilities to address pertinent societal issues
All societies need to face up in more serious way to their investments in the young generation.
Is there any willingness from the current leadership of the world to rethink old processes and ideas?
Maybe, thanks to the efforts of international organizations like UNESCO and UNEP that have taken the trouble to organise youth forums. At these events they seek young people’s views about their programmes. And surely they need them.
We are capable of mature reason and action. Our involvement should not be postponed to an unknown future. Our participation is needed now. Shaping the world of tomorrow is certainly not going to be done without the youth.
For young people out there, we ought to be up in arms to move things. You could write to the local newspaper describing local youth initiatives for development. You could also work on setting up a national youth network to educate the public about young people can do.
There is a legitimate demand for us to be heard. And that our concerns be taken into consideration. We are not only the future but also the present. Our intervention is a necessity for human development and sustainable development.
A survey on government delegations at the World Summit in Johannesburg revealed a very low level of youth representation especially from Africa. Governments seem to have forgotten that we can be reliable partners in planning for our nations. We have as much to say about current world crises and potential solutions. Young people represent one of Africa’s greatest hopes.
There has never been a well-schooled generation in Africa before. The enormous challenges of Africa are going to be resolved by young people. A 55-year old CEO or government minister is unlikely to survive beyond the year 2030. So hey, why not entrust the future fresh minds and bodies.
The physical presence of young people in specialized UN agencies and international NGOs is a very welcome move. This would create opportunities for all to listen to us.
I will propose a solution to enhanced youth involvement in sustainable development concerns. It is simple. Get the old foxes out of the way, and let us run the show!!
© Global Youth Reporters Programme
|
1
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Charles Sendegeya
This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
