M. A. Jabbar :
Every year on 12 August, International Youth Day is observed globally to focus on global issues related to the youth and seeks attention and action related to the challenges they face and opportunities available for them. The theme of the International Youth Day this year is Youth and Civic engagement. Although human resources, particularly the youth-force plays an important role for any socio-economic development of a country, yet this vital force remains unutilized or not transformed as trained and skilled youth force befitting to the needs of the overall development programme of a country. As a result, the optimum level of development is not achieved. As such, it is felt that more efforts are needed to raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement of the youth socially, politically and economically for proper utilization of the youth force for sustainable development of a country.
The first International Year of Youth was observed by the United Nations in 1985. On its 10th anniversary, the General Assembly adopted the World Progamme of Action for Youth; setting policies and strategies for national action and international support to improve the condition of young people. The General Assembly adopted fifteen priority areas, which include education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities, girls and young women, participation, globalization, information and communication technologies, HIV/AIDS, youth and conflict, international relations etc. The programme plays a prominent role in youth development, which focuses on measures to strengthen national capacities in the field of youth and to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to young people for full, effective, and fruitful participation of the youth in the society.
One estimate reveals that about 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year and 3.2 million undergo unsafe abortions; the vast majorities 90 percent of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married. They also face consequences of discrimination, rights violations including child marriage, inadequate education, or sexual coercion. International Youth Day is an opportunity to seek attention and action of the world leaders, raise awareness of the governments and individuals for the welfare of global youth.
When we think about an earth that would be nice and worth living, we must think about a strong youth force equipped with sufficient knowledge and available facilities that would help them to be worthy citizens. Gender inequality cannot exist there and healthcare facilities would be available for all irrespective of poor and rich, male and female, rural or urbane. Youth must be utilized in an appropriate manner for sustainable development, as this is the reality that neglecting the youth force and keeping them underutilized, a nice planet earth cannot be expected.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former Indian President and Nuclear Scientist from his vast experience and idea thought about what would be the earth planet of 2030. In his idea, we shall get an earth where Gap between village and city, rich and poor, developed and developing countries will be reduced. Balance distribution of energy and pure water supply will be ensured and this will be within the reach of the people. Every efficiencies and capacities of each country will be identified and accordingly economic advantages and development will be accelerated through joint efforts of all. The learners will get such teachings that their values will be awakening and enriched. By this time quality healthcare will be ensured for all. Transparent and corruption-free government system will be formed. Gender disparity and all kinds of injustice on child will be removed and none will be neglected in the society. All citizens will be able to live in a nice environment. All countries will move forward through sustainable development remaining free from terrorism and prevailing conflicts will be removed through creative leaderships and there will be peace and tranquility among the nations in near future.
According to A P J Abdul Kalam, more than 300 crore of world populations now live in rural areas and he saw vast resources are available in them, which should be utilized properly. To ensure empowerment of this vast number of people living in rural areas four things should be done which are- firstly, to ensure consumptions of the new goods and services. He found that a baby borne in 2009 consumed 35 times more than a baby borne in 1979. As a result, new goods and services will be produced befitting to local demands and needs, which in turn will contribute to the economy. Secondly, to ensure supply of power and energy. The demand for power and energy will rise tremendously with the pace of development and empowerment. According to one estimate, he said by 2030 the demand for power and energy will rise to 44 percent. As a result, attentions be focused on the source of renewable energy like nuclear energy and solar energy etc. Thirdly, environmental equilibrium to be maintained. It is fact that climate change is a big problem for the present world. The developed countries must play positive role so that rest of the world can live with an environment, free from warming and unhealthy competition. Fourthly, to make an end of worldwide war and to remove economic disequilibrium between the haves and have-nots. At present the amount of wealth available in the hands of top 300 rich is greater than the combined wealth of 300 crore people of the world. According to A P J Abdul Kalam, we must create a mind-set among the youth of today, with the determination that would be like -“I can, we can, and our nation can”. He further says that our educational institutions can take the responsibility to create the qualities so that the youth can acquire the qualities of leadership and confidence for the benefits of sustainable development of the people of the world. This year’s international youth day is very relevant to the above thoughts and idea of A.P. J. Abdul Kalam.
We know that historically, the youth of Bangladesh has proved as driving force of the nation. In the war of independence in 1971 and thereafter in all democratic movements of the country, the youth played historic and important role. Moreover, in all development work also the youth force has the glory of playing historic role for the welfare of the people of our country. Our defence force also has the glory of earning international reputation in various peace missions. As we are aware that our country is disaster prone and vulnerable to climate change and in all the disaster management during cyclone and other national calamities, the glorious role played by the youth has always earned love and appreciation of the people of the country.
Our Gross National Income (GNI) has increased. We have been able to achieve the status of a lower middle-income country with the per capita Gross National Income (GNI), joining those with annual incomes of $1046 to $4125. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) our country’s per capita GNI is now $1314, which is $1080 as per World Bank. Our inward remittance also created a new record in the financial year July 2014 to June 2015 contributing to the growth of the economy. Our youth force shares the credit.
As no development work can be achieved without the participation of the youth, Government of Bangladesh has given priority to youth development in all development programme of the country including Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed by the leaders of the UN member states in 2000 and to be achieved by 2015. Accordingly, it has achieved appreciable targets in expansion of primary and secondary education, reduction in many aspects of women’s empowerment and gender disparity, eradication of hunger and environmental sustainability, reduction of maternal, infant and child mortality including development of the youth. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is playing pivotal role for the development of youth in Bangladesh. Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (DU), UNV, UNDP, JICA, KOICA, and VSO are also working for the purpose. UNDP Bangladesh, one of the largest country offices of the global development network has been here since 1972. Drawing upon its global network, UNDP helps the people and Government of Bangladesh to develop their capacity to meet development challenges through initiatives that link advocacy, policy advice, and projects. Youth from the Fire Service and Civil Defence Urban Volunteers Network, Young Power in Social Action, Foundation for Disaster Forum, Institute of Disaster Management, and Vulnerability Studies (DU), UNFPA National Youth Forum for RH are also working for local communities linking international and national youth initiatives like disaster response, disability, and access to education, especially in sexual and reproductive health. Drug abuse is a great public health threat and the youth are the prime victim of the same. Government has given priority to address the problem.
Government of Bangladesh has taken various programme for youth development of the country. Digital Bangladesh by 2021 is one of the important agenda of the government. As such, it has given priority towards expanding Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among all sectors of the country. Government is committed to ensure and make available of all kinds facilities to all by taking the advantages of technology and information network. This will certainly help create skilled youth in Bangladesh and thus contribute significantly for the development of the country. The International Youth Day is an opportunity for all working in the field of youth development. Working together, we may dream of a strong youth force for sustainable development.
(M.A. Jabbar writes on health and environment issues and is executive secretary of ADHUNIK, national anti-tobacco organization of Bangladesh.)
