Youth Advocacy

Today, We had a Social Class Integration where we tackled things related to the International Youth Day. I was given the opportunity to be one of the guests and speak about the youth, the issues we are facing today and the power and role of the youth in nation-building.

Well, at first i was incredibly nervous. But as the minutes gone by, I was able to overcome my shyness. I realized that i wasn't there to boast about myself or merely because i wanted to but because I, as a youth of this country, have a responsibility and a role to play.

As young people, we have so much potential but the problem is there are lots of issues confronting the youth. Whether it be Drug addiction, Teen pregnancy, Smoking, Delinquency and so much more. But i don't want to elaborate on that. Rather, let us focus on the things that makes the youth the most valuable asset of any country.

I would like to quote Dumbledore from the movie Harry Potter. He once said "Age is foolish when it underestimates the youth". Here we see that even Dumbledore Himself saw the power of the youth. My blog post yesterday was about how i discovered my power of being invisible in the eyes of Ezekiel but today, i discovered a greater power and that is the power of being able to change the world and make it a better place. I know that it sounds too idealistic, i mean how in the world can I, a simple and ordinary girl change the world? You see, one of the problems with us is that we think that to contribute to the society, we need to do great things but may we all put in mind that great things starts in small millions of pieces.

We don't need to imitate the things that our National Heroes once did. We don't need to die for our country nor do we need to fight in war. The only thing that is asked of us is to do small acts of patriotism. Like being on time, respecting others, throwing our garbage properly or studying well. These things, though they are small, they change us. They make us a better person. Mahatma Gandhi said "You must be the change you want to see in this world". Each and everyone of us needs to realize that who we are as people will shape the identity of the nation. If we are productive, hard-working citizens who strive for the betterment of the society, surely our country would be a very productive one but If we continue to be lazy and immature, then without a doubt our country would be barren.

Today, May we be the youth who would strive and work for the development of the country. That we would not only be the future of tomorrow but also the partners of today.