-Misheal S.N
The theme for the #UNIYD2020
#internationalyouthday2020 is #youthengagement, this is timely and in my opinion, we must not always wait until every 12th August to remember to engage young people.
The youth population of every nation is the most active and the most [productive] percentage of it's human capital.
As a matter of basic economics, the human factor in the production process is very valuable, such that when it is not properly developed or is in short supply, the whole process is affected. In understanding why nations differ in capabilities and wealth, as to why some nations are rich and some are poor, you may want to look at what importance a given nation attach to its Human Capital. Where you have a well developed human capital, limited resources are put into effective use; and vice versa.
Therefore, it is important that the United Nations #InternationalYouthDay focus on the selected theme with all good intentions. Every nation should take the involvement or engagements of its youth population seriously, beyond the annual August 17th day dedicated to the youth beyond words and in doing so, I'll like to say that the UN #Youth4GlobalAction should be given the attention it deserves.
It's a cliche that "the youths are the leaders of tomorrow".The idea is no longer tenable; it has failed to motivate young people and it has come to be perceived as an ideology to keep the youth in the dark and far away from the centre of power, where decisions are taken daily, which are intended to serve the interest of the general population. This narrative, has for long, especially in African countries, kept the youth out of the decision-making process, as a result, ideas from the 19th and 20th century is what determines the decisions process in the 21st century. We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results, except if we are being mediocre.
It's time to go beyond words, and to start acting. The condition of the youth around the world will not change on it's own without the right persons taking the right actions.
The youth are helpless in the absence of the enabling environment that empowers them, the youth will remain helpless, until they are given a voice and a representation. #YouthEngagement should mean the same thing universally, it should mean working closely with young people, understanding young people, planning with young people and implementing with young people. Nobody understands the plight of the youth like the youth themselves.
If kept in the dark, away from the processes that matters, then we should expect the attainment of the UN #Youth4GlobalAction and achieving sustainable development #SDG to suffer.
Action:
Affirmative action for women and youth should go beyond legislators. Legislations and practical provisions for human capital development for the youth should be enacted, and ministries that concerns youths should be headed by the youth across states and federal executive.
The private sector, Non profit organizations, cultural institutions and religious bodies and other stakeholders should join the process of engaging the youth and in the attainment of SDGs.
