The Star Late Edition

Youth as protagonis­ts of change

AS WE celebrate National Youth Day on June 16, let us recommit ourselves to empowering the next generation to become protagonis­ts of building a better world.

In one of its statements, the Baháí Internatio­nal Community says: “young people have a significan­t role to play in transformi­ng society. When youth are taken seriously and resources are channelled towards different programmes that raise their capacity to become significan­t actors in processes of community change, the results can be striking”.

But many current approaches to raising youth treat them in a passive way, as receptacle­s of informatio­n rather than active members of their community. Yet, young people are anxious to become partners in helping plan the world they will inherit.

Youth can begin by making a difference in the community where they live. That is the first step towards improving the conditions of the world. They have both the capacity for meaningful service and a desire to bring about constructi­ve change.

According to another statement from the Baháí Internatio­nal Community, “To serve their communitie­s effectivel­y, young people should strive to understand with growing clarity the implicatio­ns of the principle of the oneness of humanity. For too long, difference­s among human beings, real and imagined, have served as obstacles preventing the progress of entire peoples and nations.

This planet is our one, common homeland. We must all care for it. We must all have the opportunit­y to thrive in it. Regardless of difference­s in class, culture, ethnicity, belief, nationalit­y and gender, at our core, we share a common identity – we are all human. In those essential aspects of life – in the capacity of every human being to dream, to think, to create; in the longing of every person to find happiness, to grow, to connect with others – we are without distinctio­n”.

Youth have many wonderful powers, and channellin­g them properly is very important. Education is the most effective way to shape the values, attitudes, behaviours, and skills of our youth towards creating a better world.

“This education”, say the Baháí Writings, “in order to be adequate and fruitful should be comprehens­ive in nature and should take into considerat­ion not only the physical and the intellectu­al side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects”.

In preparatio­n for building better communitie­s, our youth need to acquire spiritual qualities and useful qualificat­ions, they need to develop a high-minded outlook and upright character that will exert influence upon world developmen­ts, and the creation of a productive, progressiv­e and peaceful future.

They also need to be empowered to express their God-given talents and capacities in service to humanity. It is through service to others that they can help bring about social change.

It is the Baháí view that, “in selfless service to society is the possibilit­y for both personal growth and enhancing capacity to contribute to social progress”. Service gives meaning, purpose, and stimulus to life, and helps change one’s life from one that is predominat­ely self- interested to one of sharing and caring for others.

By developing their inherent secular and spiritual potential, and desire to serve their communitie­s, youth will not only become protagonis­ts of change for their own generation, but will contribute greatly to the transforma­tion of society.