Let our youth shape our world, they have the zeal and creativity
What you need to know:
The level of commitment they have to make this country prosperous is unprecedented.
If we are to solve our pressing challenges in all economic sectors, we should tap into the dynamism and zeal of young people.
They have the potential to disrupt status quo and be the most creative forces for social change creating a world where everyone counts.
Today more than ever before, we live in a world faced with enormous social challenges. Recently, the world marked one of the greatest milestones with seven billion people.
Out of this total population, 1.8 billion are youth aged 10 to 24 with 90 per cent of them living in developing countries.
Research has shown that this generation is the most interconnected and the challenges they face are ever more daunting. It is important to address these challenges so that institutions can tackle them as they frame the stakes of youth policies and programmes.
Political ideologies: Young people are subjected to frequent changes in political ideologies meant to support decision-making in matters affecting them across government ministries, parliament, parties, and constitution.
HOPELESS
The expectation is that the changes in different ideologies will help improve economic situations they operate in. Most of the times this has not been achieved, leaving young people hopeless.
Economic interdependence: Global economy supported by innovations that guarantee stable supply chains and market forces is a sign that it is not soon vanishing. Young people are a part of this global economy and cannot work in isolation.
They are a generation that has grown up with inexpensive and instantaneous communication.
The future belongs to those that are creative, smart and entrepreneurial, The policy actors should be considerate and be deliberate about drawing on the entire globe for talent and creating connectivity platforms.
CHARACTER
Moral manipulation: Mahatma Gandhi said that the seven things that will destroy us are wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, business without ethics, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice and politics without principles.
Young people in this country are subjected to situations where powerful people manipulate basic concepts of morality by changing what is right into wrong and wrongdoing into the right thing.
People in leadership positions should stop pursuing power and start seeking services so that young people have models to emulate.
Leadership best practice calls for all leaders to have future generations in mind as they make decisions.
LIVELIHOODS
Social transitions: The institutional landscape within which young people have to pursue their livelihoods and well-being objectives have continued to evolve. Understanding socio-technical regimes in a developing country like Kenya means embracing high levels of social complexity. Some experts have argued that regulations and standards can counter this challenge but issues like corruption continue to undermine the effort. This set up usually leave young people confused.
In conclusion, it will take the will and commitment of all key players to create a prosperous future for young people. Despite all the challenges they face, our day to day engagement with young people always leave us optimistic and full of energy.
DYNAMISM
The level of commitment they have to make this country prosperous is unprecedented.
If we are to solve our pressing challenges in all economic sectors, we should tap into the dynamism and zeal of young people. They have the potential to disrupt status quo and be the most creative forces for social change creating a world where everyone counts.
Dr Kiambati is a management consultant and a senior lecturer at Karatina University. kellenkiambati@ gmail.com. Dr Kariuki is a social scientist, management consultant and a lecturer at Karatina University. [email protected]
