Youth Energy, Leadership and Creativity

When social, economic and political issues are meaningful to the youth, when young people have a voice over their social position, and when their energy, leadership and creativity are considered as part of the processes in change for sustainable development, countries would realise increased active citizenry, self reliance and a comprehensive knowledge of civic education.

Young people are the world’s largest human capital, and many of them around the world are already making contributions to their neighbourhoods, societies and countries. But, their work should be further harnessed to facilitate participation in decision-making and policy development. Consequently, the best and perhaps even only option to comprehensively impact the significant range of contemporary social issues we face internationally is through positively developing the youth.

Most young people in Africa face longer spells of unemployment than adults, regardless of their level of education.  This poses serious problems for social stability and peace because; their energy is released on destructive social habits such as crime, drug abuse, anarchy and violent civil unrest. In tackling the epidemic of global youth unemployment, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, called on governments to invest more in youth employment initiatives and promote decent work.

It is therefore only through early leadership tuition and involving youth in creative learning processes that could stimulate a mental position of self-reliance.  

This requires social leadership and social entrepreneurial programmes that transforms them into robust and visionary young leaders who dare to make the first move in creating justified social issues, sustainable economic opportunities and stable political environments.