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Subject: Re: Discussion topic # 1: Employability
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YOUTH AND SOCIAL TREND
DULAL BISWAS
Secretary General, National Federation of Youth Organizations in Bangladesh
(NFYOB)
We often say the future of a country can be found in its youth because the
youth represent justice, enthusiasm and a strong and burning ambition. For
the sake of national prosperity and strength, they are willing to move
ahead at all costs without looking back. Through the courage and
determination of the youth, a bright and prosperous national future can be
created. As long as young people are willing identify themselves with the
country, an amalgamation of their efforts and wisdom ensure a nation's
prosperity and well-being.
1. Characteristics of Modern Youth
In the 21st century the Social Trend and values of life has changed a lot.
Transformation of social values among the youth is seen. With this change
of transformation many social structural changes and conflicts in values
have come. As a result of this, the youth today demonstrate certain
psychological traits and attitudes when they are faced with obstacles.
These are summarized as follows:
(1) The youth today cannot find ideals that are worth dedicating their
lives for. They are hasty in their quest for achievement and wealth, their
values are based on material and commercial goods. Therefore, there is a
lack of dynamism in their lives.
(2) The youth today are extremely sensitive to notions of justice and
equality. Faced with social problems such as the uneven distribution of
wealth and money politics, they are prone to criticism and protest.
(3) The limited living space and decline in the quality of our living
environment have induced an increase in human conflicts and friction. The
pluralization of values and the deterioration in the quality of information
we receive have resulted in distrust and distancing between people.
(4) Anti-establishment, anti-authoritarianism : After the passing of the
era of authoritarianism the youth of today can now seek alternative ways
of self-expression, self-affirmation and self-satisfaction.
(5) Strong sense of self-respect but inability to respect others : The
youth today are influenced by materialism and social realities. They often
adopt a double-standard approach in their speech, conduct and attitude by
always placing their own personal interests and benefits at the forefront.
(6) Desire for concern, dislike for interference : Youth people of today
often
feel lonely and empty therefore they harbour a strong desire for
concern
from the people around them.
(7) Result-oriented and not process-oriented : Affected by the
pluralization of social values the average youth of today places more
emphasis on results and neglects the price they have to pay in the process.
They hope to succeed overnight and gain without pain.
The role of youth in the 21st century and their future direction.
(1) To open one's mind by incorporating all ethnic cultures: Culture is a
way of
Life, the label used to describe the history and customs of a country. The
Earth is encompasses by many different nationalities and as a natural
result many different cultures exist in the world. In order to reduce the
various conflicts and frictions between countries as a result of cultural
differences, it is necessary for the youth to open their hearts and minds
and accept other cultures while preserving their own heritage.
(2) To enhance education and cultivate the concept of democracy :
Democracy is the trend now prevalent in the world. However, democratic
consensus is not a concept we are born with, it needs to be cultivated
through education. The spirit of democracy should be based on the
foundation of freedom and rule of law. Majority should rule but the
majority should also learn to respect the minority.
(3) To increase exchange programs:
With the rapid advancement in technology, the concept of
global village is
now deeply ingrained in the consciousness of every person's mind. A
happening in any corner of the world can be transmitted all over the globe
in a matter of seconds. In order to meet the challenges of new technology
in the 21st century, the youth should participate in different kinds of
international academic and technological seminars as well as initiate,
guide and assist in research. This should serve to enhance the intellect
and foresight of young people in different countries.
(4) Strengthen social service activities
As we look towards the future some countries have entered into the league
of developed countries. These countries not only shoulder part
of the economic burden of other regions and countries, but also provide
under-developed and developing countries with a construction blueprint. It
is my personal belief that during the process of modernization, it is
necessary to actively begin with the education of our young people.
Furthermore, the youth of the today will surely become the mainstream
during the beginning of the next century. Therefore, an important goal for
the youth today is to strengthen nation wide modernization projects.
1. To participate in youth crime prevention activities and clean up the
society.
2. To cultivate environmental protection and ecological awareness and
incorporate it into our daily lives so it can become our moral obligation.
3. To promote equality of the sexes in service and facilitate social
progress: Women made up half of the world's population, therefore
inevitably women will assume an increasingly important role in the future.
Therefore, we need to upgrade the status of women so they may contribute
their unique intelligence to society. Serve the people and oversee to the
wellbeing of the family. This serve to promote equality of the sexes and
bring about social advancement in order for modernization to take place.
Times are changing, the environment is changing and with these changes we
hail the approach the arrival of the 21st century. This new century is the
century of the New World. All nationalities need to begin shouldering the
responsibility as leaders of the world. This is especially relevant to the
youth. We are the engineers of the 21st century and with us the
responsibility lies of burying the misfortunes of the 20th century as we
embrace the new era.
Dulal Biswas
Secretary General
National Federation of Youth Organisations in Bangladesh
YES Bangladesh Coordinator
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