Young people need 'points of reference'

Years ago, students at university had a greater sense of civic and political involvement, one politician said in a debate during Fresher's Week at university earlier this month. Although there were few university students, the bond with student representative bodies was stronger.

The younger generation of students has often been described as distant and distracted from current affairs, especially politics. While this generalisation is subject to many exceptions, young people have also been described as focusing mainly on their leisure time and their private space.

But is the current generation really alienated from what is happening around them?

"Rather than alienated, I would describe young people are focusing on other things which are very real to them," Saviour Chircop, director of the Centre for Communication Technology (CCT) at university, told The Times.

"Today, there are many more possibilities of how to spend one's time, which young people can choose from. There are also a lot of things competing for their attention, such as the leisure industry and the communication industry. Like individuals in general, young people focus on their exigencies first, and also tend to choose those things which interest them most."

Their choices are also determined by the extra time at their disposal, after taking away the time spent studying or at work. In fact, today's generation has to face "issues of survival" - such as working to save up for a car or a house - at a much earlier age, Prof. Chircop said.

However, Prof. Chircop does not think that the younger generation is socially alienated. The number of young people involved in voluntary work is an indication. What is lacking maybe is in the number of role models which young people can turn to.

"Young people need points of reference. But in today's world, who is the younger generation looking up to? Who are the people who inspire social commitment? The number of role models has decreased," Prof. Chircop said.

Roberta Avellino, newly elected president of the Students' Council (KSU) at university, said that today's young generation is benefiting from the hard work of its predecessors, especially in the political world. As a result, there are less items on the agenda which young people feel they should be involved in.

"Young people are taking many things for granted, and feel less compelled to take part in politics, even though this does not mean that nothing needs to be improved. The past years have seen debates, protests and agreements on many core issues. Today, a not worth the hassle attitude has been generated among the younger generation."

Daniela Bartolo, KSU's education coordinator, also thinks that many students are surrounded in their own personal bubble.

"It is only when their bubble, or personal space, is encroached upon, that alarm bells ring. Proof of this is the number of complaints KSU receives from students," Ms Bartolo said.

"However, there are many young people who are involved in social and voluntary organisations, especially on a local level, which dispels the myth that in general, young persons are generally disinterested in the social world around them."

With regards to students' involvement in student organisations, including KSU, Ms Avellino admits that along the years, KSU may have lost touch with students.

"One of the main reason, is that the student population has increased considerably. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to reach out to every student."

One of KSU's main aims this year is to improve communication with students, its president said. The channels of communication have already improved, especially through links with the Office of the Registrar and faculty secretaries who are able to send out KSU communications directly to the students via conventional mail or e-mails. KSU has also turned its attention to student organisations, which fall under KSU's umbrella.

"Despite the fact that KSU's link with students needs to be improved, this does not mean that KSU is less active. The communication channels through which the student body discusses important issues and elements at stake have become more efficient, especially because of technology. Of course, this attracts less media publicity than street protests. Thus, it is more an issue of students not being aware of the many things KSU is involved with - an element which KSU will be addressing as one of its main priorities," Ms Avellino said.