Meeting Future Challenges and Opportunities Through Our Youth
By Yap Kwong Weng, Editor-in-Chief, THINK!
A terrorist attack in one country could threaten the lives of citizens from many countries. We are still hampered by climate change issues, which has seriously undermined the safety and freedom of the international community. No one is immune from danger today. Despite such challenges that confront us, the work of achieving the outcomes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) should not be delayed. Given such paradigm shifts in the geo-political arena, our youth grows to become more resilient to changes at the global and local levels. They will make the difference between good and great.
The reality is we are constantly in need of ideas, and are often craving for talent to strengthen our organizational knowledge and social networks. The youth is our answer to future problems. They are more equipped with dealing with critical issues with better technology. They are also more exposed to different challenges posed by complex and multi-faceted threats. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon puts it at the 2010 inauguration of the annual International Day of Peace, he said: “Young people today are at home with global diversity; they are comfortable in an interconnected world. Yet they are also vulnerable to the forces of extremism… So I say to all governments and our partners: let us do more to give them a world of tolerance and opportunity. And I say to all young people: join us.”
The youth plays a critical role to enhance global networks and participation. We require them to adapt to new partnerships and new modes of communication. Where they may once operate solely within single domains, the youth of today can expect to work hand-in-hand with multiple agencies. They can also expect to work with many international partners in undertaking various tasks that have a profound impact to larger issues that hold tremendous implications across economic , social and environment causes.
The demands on the young people today are heavy. They need to understand global affairs to see the bigger picture. They also need access to the latest technological solutions and be extremely adept in using them to deliver results. In the coming years, organizations in Singapore can expect their roles to further evolve with the inclusion of “Generation Y” in their outfits to manage and lead their outfits.
To enhance their capabilities, we must provide them with ample opportunities to grow and learn. It is a noble task to help the poor, but it is even a more uphill task to cultivate the youth to take over key responsibilities that anchor our society. On this note, the establishment of the Youth Council has provided UNAS with the expanded capacity to carry out humanitarian and educational activities. The diverse talents and resources enhanced not only our resource base, this integration has allowed new synergies to be created in the development of newer programs and social initiatives.
Recently, the UNAS Youth Council supported in organizing a tree-Planting event alongside with several other organizations such as the Rotary Club of Victoria and the Singapore Young Contemporary Artists (SYCA) to conduct environmental protection and community service projects for children. This reflects Singapore’s “Whole-of-Society” approach in dealing with social challenges. The Youth Council will also be taking heavier responsibilities in the future to create capacity for UNAS, and undertake unexplored areas to help disadvantaged people in Singapore and beyond. They are now working on an ongoing environmental sustainability project, which will raise the awareness of protection for rainforests and displaced Penans in Sarawak.
It is also timely that the UNAS intellectual forum THINK! Is developed to discuss the roles and challenges of peace amid the changing social and security landscape. Platforms such as this, that builds upon the talents of academics and practitioners alike, provide the opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences, generate fresh perspectives, and devise new ideas to create capacity.
Let us move forward together to build a network that advances human development. In the end, it is our resolve – as global organizations and citizens – to create change and enhance social participation. The youth is our competitive advantage.
They are our future.