The
Role of Youth in Sustainable Development
23 August 2004
Advancing the role of youth
and actively involving them in the protection of the environment and the
promotion of economic and social development is critical to the long-term
success of sustainable development. Last week, on 12 August 2004 nations
the entire world celebrated the International Youth Day, which is a day
to honour the youth and recognise their role in society not only as youth
but future leaders.
Youth population
Youth below 24 years comprise
nearly 60 per cent of Swaziland’s population and globally youth make up
one third of the world’s population. In this regard, it is imperative that
governments advance the role of youth and actively involve them in the
protection of the environment and the promotion of economic and social
development. As a signatory to the Rio declaration of 1992, Swaziland committed
herself to sustainable development. One of the objectives of the declaration
is for state parties to come up with policies and programmes that will
encourage youth participation in sustainable development issues.
Swazi youth in sustainable
development
The Swaziland National Youth
Policy
(2002) is aimed at promoting Swazi youth in sustainable development matters
and is administered under the auspices of the Swaziland National Youth
Council (SNYC). The council has among other things set up a small
fund for members to promote small businesses. In addition, capacity building
in the areas of proposal writing, project management and financial management
has been conducted.
Active participation
It is imperative that youth
from all parts of the world participate actively in all relevant levels
of decision-making processes because it affects their lives today and has
implications for their future. In addition to their intellectual contribution
and their ability to mobilise support, they bring unique perspectives that
need to be taken into account.
Promote dialogue
It is important to promote
dialogue with youth organizations regarding the drafting and evaluation
of environment plans and programmes or questions on development.
Role of education
Education is critical for
achieving environmental and ethical awareness, values and attitudes, skills
and behaviour consistent with sustainable development and for effective
participation by youth in environmental decision-making. In this regard,
our education should reflect the economic and social needs of youth and
incorporate the concepts of environmental awareness and sustainable development
throughout the curricula.
Future leaders
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s
leaders and decision makers hence it is important for the youth to be involved
in sustainable development processes. Otherwise our youth will only will
see and experience what we have today and see pictures of what they have
missed. So it is critical that our development priorities are sensitive
to both present and future generations.
Watch this column for subsequent
articles on sustainable development issues in Swaziland.
|
