| Published On: 2008-04-16 Point Counterpoint The next generation Ripan Kumar Biswas
Think about all the power that's represented here in all of you. If you all grab that arc, then I have no doubt, I have absolutely no doubt, that regardless of what happens in this presidential year and regardless of what happens in this campaign, America will transform itself," Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Obama (IL) boomed last year to the young crowd at George Mason University's Johnson Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
He is absolutely right, because the world demands the qualities of youth: not as a time of life but as a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.
The same ideology was echoed at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in a two-day National Youth Festival Program organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and USAID. All 40 exhibitors, prominent writers, media celebrities, and human rights activists who were present emphasised the importance of encouraging young people. "Bangladesh this time is going to witness a very good national poll as now the young people are much more aware of their responsibility to vote for the right persons to lead the nation," IRI President Jeff Vanness underlined in his inaugural speech.
Youth participation leads to better decisions. It is an integral part of a democratic society. Young people need to be engaged in order to define and address public problems, and their participation is important for democracy. They can play a vital role in a country that is going through transition from authoritarian rule, or in countries coming out of conflict.
The importance of the youth vote to any democracy is central to this analysis of the unique role of elections -- and the dangers of abstention -- in a democratic society. Many young people understand voting as a key element of democratic governance, a hard won democratic right, and a duty of democratic citizenship, yet most indicate that they do not plan to vote because voting does not make a difference. Youth disenchantment is evident in formal political behaviour, especially through voting, assisting at elections, contacting politicians, and the like. One-third of the country's voters will vote for the first time.
Besides their exercise in election, they can play a vital role in reducing unemployment, corruption, and present food-price inflation as they are social actors with skills and capacities to bring about constructive resolutions to their own problems. They develop skills, build competences, acquire confidence and form aspirations -- all part of a virtuous circle leading to development. Young people played an active role in the 1952 language movement, 1971 independence war, and the re-installation of democracy in Bangladesh in 1991.
According to a study, a section of corrupt businessmen in alliance with corrupt officials and politicians contributed to the continuing decadence of business ethics in the country. One of the biggest and important reasons may be the lack of interest in promoting honest entrepreneurs, especially young, honest entrepreneurs who have the credibility to bring a new era in business not only in Bangladesh but also in the world. After observing present the food-price inflation and corrupt business dealings, governments, institutions, and industries should welcome young entrepreneur because they struggle for credit and credibility.
In addition, around 30 million eligible people in Bangladesh don't have any work while 2 million new job seekers enter into the job market every year, the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies says.
The theme of the International Youth Day 2008 on August 12 is "Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action." This day will focus on the fact that climate change has already begun to devastate communities and deepen the effects of poverty and hunger. This situation complicates the challenges that youth face. And young people around the world are increasingly adding their voices to the call for action on climate change.
Bangladesh frequently faces unpredictable natural behaviour, not only because of its geographical position but also for the rapid changing of world climate. The recent Sidr cyclone in Bangladesh took more than 3,153 lives and destroyed an unknown number of homes. There is an unprecedented level of awareness about climate change among people and leaders worldwide, and young people in Bangladesh can raise their voices because none of us will be spared from the effects of climate change.
Teaching, parenting, and guiding children to turn them into perfect human beings in the future are acts of worship that are pleasing to God. The future of the nation is dark because school students lack adequate academic knowledge, as Bangladesh kids spend less time in schools than children in other Saarc countries.
Children can attend school around 228 days every year, and less than 30 hours every week, because of the 137-day official holidays and temporary closure due to natural calamities. To turn them into good politicians, businessmen, or administrators, the country has the responsibility of making sure that all children have a good education. A conscious effort must be made to include the views of young people and to strengthen their participation in decision-making.
Few have the greatness and credibility to bend history; but each young person can work to change a small portion of the events, and in the totality of all these acts will be written the history of the generation.
Ripan Kumar Biswas is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star. | |
