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Full blown benefits of development:
Youth will reap tomorrow
Charmaine Fernando
Youth down every generation are wiser than
their predecessors. This is possible due to the advancement in
technology and the sciences. Education is not limited to text books
today. Sri Lankan youth are blessed with many possibilities and
their space to grow swells by the hour. There is one reason for it
to happen the way it happens today. In Sri Lanka:The youth today
have a clear path, rather a highway: The way forward.Things have
changed for the better. The skies are turquoise; the murky fog has
lifted. The sirens are silenced and the guns only salute. There’s a
smile on the Sri Lankan face. A smile of confidence, hope and
gratitude. There’s pride in every eye. The lion’s pride: That’s the
spirit of Sri Lanka.
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The way forward.... |
Sri Lanka is going through a massive
development process. The map is changing. New bridges are linking lands
beyond; new man-made harbours are bringing in happy tides. New
international airports are phased out and highways are drawn.
Skyscrapers and planned cities, Flyovers and mono rails will make
yesterdays maps so dull and void. With roundabouts and children’s parks,
shady trees and sidewalks, sports stadiums, gymnasiums and everything to
preoccupy the youth of today and what’s more they will reap the full
blown benefits of this advancement and enhancement of development, in
their tomorrow.
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‘Peace Bridge’
The economic development is the key to promote
peace and democracy. In the context of our country, development
in the lagging regions, whether they are in the South or North
can no longer be delayed. I am encouraged that you believe in
development as a necessary step towards promoting peace. In
appreciation of such efforts, let me refer to a few ODA
initiatives of Japan in our country. The construction of
Manampitiya Bridge which connects the Eastern Province was
commenced when I was the Prime Minister and Minister of
Highways. Very recently, it was completed and I commended it as
a “peace bridge”. I am encouraged that Japan has commenced the
construction of a similar peace bridge in Mannar which is also
an area that the Government has liberated from terrorists in
addition to the East. As you have helped us to build the
Kilinochchi Hospital, I am also determined that we will together
build the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and complete another peace
building project soon. " |
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- President
Mahinda Rajapaksa |
With a 20.45 population in 2009, with 1.1 growth rate per annum and
with the female holding a slight edge over the male in numbers it is
strange and surprising that the youth population is not indicated in the
latest statistics recorded with the Department of Census and Statistics
of 2009. Maybe it personifies the fact, that it is usually not a
practice in our culture to give youth any pride of place. Even in the
21st century the adult dictates and dominates. On second thoughts, the
2001 census records 15 to 29 year old population profiled as youth,
consisting a massive 23.5 percent of a 19.5m islandwide population.
Quite a share of population; a twenty five percent of youth are a
powerful energetic segment that hold the key to a better tomorrow. They
are our only promise of a happier Sri Lanka. All the development
projects, educational spend, health sector enhancements, infra structure
developments are targeted for the new generation. The modernization of
the roads and transport sector is to make our youth more mobile. It’s
the vision of a leader.
What we have to ponder today is whether these needs and rights are
adequately met and programs and provision is in process for their
access. With the development process moving at speed and the cog wheels
turning as aspired before long youth aspirations will find practical
solutions and their life-long dreams will find wing to soar.
An Information Technology program known as e-life has been launched
to link the Sri Lankan youth to the world.
President insists he will implement this program with the
modernization of vidathaandnena salaand by combining them with the Gama
Neguma program.
Looking through Windows they see many countries without leaving their
seat. They have the option of Chatting up practically anyone on earth
with or without a face. The Internet is a tool through which our youth
can traverse the world in a matter of seconds and gather our experience
of a lifetime within their hours. They get the opportunity to link up
with people from practically every corner of the world; from Lake
Titicaca to Timbuktu, float across Yangtze Kiang River to the
Mississippi.
Our youth can go peep into an igloo in Nuuk in Greenlands or watch
the kiwis in Owaka, New Zealand all at the same time. Life is bound to
be exciting for youth, now.
All they need is to just open two parallel Windows! Today’s you have
the widest choice ever. Technology and Education had lifted their
thought waves to a broader paradigm widening their horizons and chances
in life.
This is possible to affluent you on Colombo and the big towns.
Despite the advancement in technology and equipment like computers are
marketed freely in the open market all over the country it is doubtful
whether the parents are knowledgeable enough to provide the youth with
the tools that open wide new enhanced opportunities for them.
The availability and easy access of these tools that educate them
should be available to youth in every corner of Sri Lanka without
compromise through the schools or educational institutes. Even internet
cafes should be made available to remote villages to allow our youth
stay abreast of the happenings in the world and widen their horizons of
knowledge. With development in full swing these needs will be met, we
believe in the near future.
If today’s youth are fed with knowledge through the digital medium
tomorrow’s youth will expand their intake a hundred times over; at the
speed Sri Lankan development process accelerates.
Building a knowledge society is of prime importance. To lift their
knowledge levels parallel with their counterparts in the developed world
should be the goal of our education system and the aim of our technology
development that links them to the world.
We cannot ignore the fact the mobile phone have become a valid tool
in the hands of almost every youth in every four corners of this part of
the world. Remote village youth too are in a position to access these as
the market has made these available at nominal practical spend. New
Chinese phones have created an influx in the market making it possible
to have access to a mobile phone in any part of the country. The
competition between the telecommunication and mobile giants has been a
healthy one.
They have expanded the provision of basic infra structure facilities
to both towns and far off villages. Practically every town is linked.
The youth now has connectivity to the world and many service options
from service providers at purse easy rates.
Secure bread-winner in every home
President envisions that: ‘I propose to provide the necessary
coordination and facilitation to ensure that at least one youth from
every family in Sri Lanka would get an employment opportunity with a
substantial wage, either in the public sector, private sector, or
through foreign employment. To channel small scale foreign investment
directly to the villages, I propose to introduce the concept of
‘Industrial Villages’.
I will create a mechanism by which those who have diverse skills and
are already engaged in handicrafts and traditional artwork are able to
export their products to international markets with the facilitation of
the BOI and Gama Neguma program.’
Direct benefits to villages
The President believes that Gama Neguma program. would ensure that
the village gets maximum benefits by avoiding the involvement of
middlemen. It is my intention to transform these industrial villages
into an important segment in our economy that will facilitate the flow
of foreign exchange directly to villages.
The skills of the rural youth in sports, arts and cultural activities
will be enhanced by broadening and reorganizing the functions of the
Youth Services Council.
I propose to enhance the knowledge and experience of youth by sending
them on International Youth Exchange Programs.
If these programs work out as envisioned, without allowing middle men
to dwindle the villagers and monitored with sacrosanct attention to
detail by relevant officials with the same concerns, care and enthusiasm
to the tee, our youth will have every reason to smile.
If the officials who hold responsibility do not become the so called
middle men, the villages will rise up to their expectation to meet the
aspirations of the visionary. It is necessary to oversee and hold
enthusiasm to the end, to reach goals; reap benefits; conquer
challenges. It is imperative to be driven by commitment and true spirit
with strong discipline and team work to achieve such humanitarian
conquests.
Youth voice needs to be heard
The actual task of a project can only be accomplished, as originally
desired, with passion and uncompromising commitment. Major issues
concerning the young men and women in Sri Lanka today can be classified
as demographic profiles of young women and men, imbalanced education and
training, unemployment and under employment, health and morbidity,
inadequate opportunities for participation in public decision-making,
crime and violence, inadequate facilities for recreation and creative
work and alcoholism and drug dependence, which are priority arrears that
need to be addressed.
Youth have a right to participate in decision making processes,
access appropriate information, have the right to freedom to form lawful
association of their own, protect from harmful drugs, fire arms and all
forms of discrimination and abuse (Sexual abuse, Trafficking harassment
and Child labour) and have the right to gainful employment either in the
public or the private sector on completion of education.
Youth need to be content
These are youth aspirations; these are youth needs. These are gaping
wounds that requires urgent attention. They are not third class
citizens.
Their voices need to be heard. They are talking; shouting; screaming
for attention from the adult society. Listen. Listen carefully. Look.
Observe every move.
Sri Lanka’s entire future lies not on its tall buildings and massive
infrastructure constructions of power, irrigation, technology, highways
and the lot. True we need these badly to build a new Sri Lanka. Our
youth are the prime resources we have.
Their talents and aptitudes need to be harnessed They need to be
nurtured in to wonder material. to face and overcome this prime
challenge firstly the communication gap between the older generation and
the new generation needs to be mended.
Relationship with youth should be cemented first. We need to build
bridges of understanding and concern.
Construct secure social norms and legalities with special attention
to their safety and freedom. Build their confidence and show them the
way by simple living example.
That’s how wonderful we can be, as a society.
Then, every Sri Lankan youth will begin to respect their elders and
learn to uphold responsibility in a new light, walk with a new found
gait, a spring at their heels and heads tilted-up with a tinge of pride.
Sri Lanka needs to build a content and confident new generation to
steer Sri Lanka to the wonder it can be. |
