A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet a group of young people who were being hosted in Malta as part of the Youth in Action Programme. Participants had the opportunity to meet people from different countries and share their experiences and aspirations.
The initiative is commendable and should be encouraged as such exchanges expose the younger generation to new ideas and broaden their horizons. Exposure to other cultures is beneficial because it fosters cultural diversity and understanding.
Youths are the leaders of tomorrow and it is our duty, as politicians, to create the right environment for them to actively participate in decision-making. The sustainability of our democratic processes depends on it.
Participation should not be limited to voting; it should be about the right, the means and the opportunity to participate and influence.
Young people bring with them dimensions that reflect their transition from childhood to adulthood. These dimensions should be incorporated into our policies as failure to do so would hinder the future development of society.
Young people are the foundation of society upon which democracy depends. The successful participation of young people in the democratic process, in its widest sense, depends on how well informed they are. In this respect, the Maltese government, through our Youth Agency, has signed the ERYCA charter, which outlines the minimum standards to be adopted in providing information.
We believe that correct and timely information is crucial for young people to succeed in life.
The authorities should not ignore the causes of young people.
When they do, they are exacerbating individualism. This is clearly stated in the Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.
There is no doubt we in Malta have a vibrant democratic process. But Malta still needs to improve its structures to better embrace young people and their concerns.
Correct and timely information is crucial for young people to succeed in life
The government made Vote16 one of its electoral pledges and this should be implemented in a few months’ time.
Enabling people of 16 and 17 years of age to actively participate in the decision-making of their locality will help us better understand youth concerns and implement better policies.
There is a need to provide the right tools for responsible participation in the decision-making process. Young people have a lot to gain once they are equipped with the right tools. They may become respectful of others’ opinions, acquire leadership skills, promote human rights and democracy and feel empowered to be the leaders of their cause.
Statistics show that in underdeveloped countries there are young people who earn less than €2 a day. This might be the failure of politicians to nurture youths. The future of society cannot be secure if the issues of youth unemployment and lack of education are not addressed.
The Arab Spring and other revolutions such as those of 1989 were characterised by the participation of young people craving a better society. Leaders need to hear the concerns of young people worried about unemployment and the unequal distribution of income. When they are isolated from the people we all know the results. It’s a stark fact that young people have succeeded in toppling dictatorships.
Embracing other ideas is an enriching experience. But I urge our young generation not to fall victims to radicalism or extremism.
The very future of the country depends on our ability to provide an environment where young people can chart their own future. It’s down to us now to decide the type and quality of investment that we make.