YOUTHS AS GLOBAL CHANGE AGENTS
By Samuel Okocha
The United Nations’ International Youth Day is observed on August 12 each year to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more involved in making positive contributions to their communities.
On this day, many activities take place around the world to promote the benefits that young people bring into the world. Many countries participate in this global event, which may include youth conferences on issues such as education and employment. Other activities include concerts promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements.
The UN defines the world’s youth as the age group between 15 and 24 years old, making up one-sixth of the human population. Many of these young men and women live in developing countries and their numbers are expected to rise sharply.
The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the UN’s World Youth Forum. The forum recommended that an International Youth Day be declared to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations.
In 1998, a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. That recommendation was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1999. International Youth Day was first observed in 2000.
The theme for this year is “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”. The choice of theme reflects the General Assembly’s appreciation of the value of dialogue among youth from different cultures as well as among different generations.
This theme highlights the ability of youths from different backgrounds and generations to harness their energies and cause a positive change in their world. Already, the importance of a synergized youth movement has been clearly exemplified in the Arab spring that has brought about regime changes in Tunisia and Egypt.
No doubt, the ability of youths to unite, attract global attention and effect a regime change, shows the limitless possibilities inherent in a forum where youths can share ideas based on mutual respect and understanding.
The internet continues to provide an enabling platform for network and conversations. The youth must continue to maximize these platforms thrown up in the cyberspace. Facebook, Twitter, Google and loads of other social networking platforms, many of which are products of youthful enterprise, must continue to be used creatively and positively to solve world’s problems.
Sadly, cybercrime is one of the ills that have left a dent on the youths in a number of countries. Through this year’s theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,” the youth must begin to find creative ways to solve this menace.
Rather than allow few individuals to use the internet for fraud and other inglorious activities, the youth must stand up and uphold the internet as an information super highway capable of effecting positive changes across boundaries.
Governments must also begin to recognize the important role of the youths in engendering development. They need to also create the enabling environment and support systems for youths to reach their full potentials and play their roles as change agents in a fast evolving world.
Nigerian youths, through the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, a scheme designed by government for young graduates from institutions of higher learning to serve their fatherland were instrumental to the success of the April 2011 general election. Local and international observers adjudged the election as the freest and fairest since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Youths in Nigeria, Africa and the world over must continue to make the world a better place through politics, sports, science and technology among other endeavours.
Like the UN Secretary-General rightly said, governments, on its part, must increase their investments in young people so they can do even more.
Broadcast on Friday August 12, 2011
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