Young in a free society

Undoubtedly, it is an exciting period to be a young person in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is an interesting time when one considers the number of new opportunities open today for us to succeed. The area of formal education is only one of them. It is in this regard that our youth must begin to assume greater roles and responsibilities if we are to continue to contribute to nation building in any meaningful way.{{more}}

It is particularly stimulating to discuss the issue of being young in a free society since it is the month of our emancipation celebration. Simply, what does emancipation mean to our youth? How will we define and continually redefine our freedom in the future? These are very important questions for our consideration as young men and women in a free society.

Our unique Vincentian identity as we know it today has been one shaped both by our pre and post colonial circumstances. It is as a result of the convergence of the resilient spirit of our Garifuna and Calinago ancestors; the perseverance of our African foreparents, as they fought against a most evil system of slavery; and the particular struggles of our Portuguese and Indian forebears through indentureship, that has brought about a distinctly featured crystallization of human processes, which has informed the molecular constitution of our Vincentian civilization.

That being said, what does this mean to a young man or woman leaving secondary school moving into the Community College; or John returning to SVG on the completion of his scholarship to Cuba; or a young farmer wanting to shift from illegitimate farming? As we seek solutions we must exercise full ownership of the sovereignty of our imagination. We must be willing to think beyond that which we have already seen, and begin to investigate the unexplored areas to come up with new and brilliant solutions.

In order to promote an environment of sustainable growth, our youth must first become active citizens. Every single young person must become involved in the process. No young person must be left behind! The maintenance of the structures within a democratic society relies upon its citizens being aware of their rights and responsibilities, informed about the social and political world in which they live, the welfare of others, and an opportunity to articulate their opinions and arguments, so that they can influence the circumstances around them. As young persons within a free society, are we articulating our opinions in the most organised fashion?

Let’s be frank. The happenings of the world around us can be discouraging at times. It is not going to always be an easy fix. However, in times of difficulties we must have faith within ourselves that we are capable of making a positive change.

The majority of our population is comprised of young persons, therefore the role to be assumed by us will definitely have an invaluable impact on the manner in which we address the many problems which face us as individuals, and which today are arresting our national, regional and international attention. What is our duty? The immediate task remains – it is to build our youth product as far as it is humanly possible in order that our intellect, skills, aptitudes, vision, cultural awareness, energy, commitment and health will enable us to spearhead any effort to build a modern society. This is fundamental if we are to pass on a legacy of resilience to future generations.

As youth we cannot be passive spectators in the process of nation building. Instead, we must begin to vigorously solve the many vexing problems which we face beginning from the grass root level.

In this the period of reforming our supreme law of our land, Constitutional reform is the hot topic everywhere. It is expected to get even more heated as we approach the date set for the referendum. The general hope is that as this very important dialogue continues that our youth will discuss the issues which will lead to a consensus in our national interest. We must distinguish as young persons between a national debate and one which is purely political. Constitutional reform should attract a national debate and we must approach the topic with an open mind knowing that we will be subjected to the laws of which we are presently discussing.

Therefore it is clear that fundamental to the advancement of our people that our youth who comprise the bulk of the economically active age group must begin to work harder and smarter, and be most willing to contribute constructively to the national debate. Our local circumstances continue to dictate that greater emphasis should be placed on technical education. It is important to stress that it is through some form of technical education that a country is provided with skilled and semi-skilled workers. This also provides a safety net, particularly for students who are skilled oriented in allowing them an equal chance to succeed in life.

The unfolding of the current global financial crisis has certainly placed our small and vulnerable economies in an extremely interesting situation. The way forward advocated by the OECS Heads of Government is to find new ways of enhancing our commitment to strengthen markedly our major productive sectors, supporting marketing, product enhancement and other facilitating action. This is a message to our youth to get on board. The next article will handle the issue of securing the gains of the education revolution.

Saboto Caesar is a Lawyer and Unity Labour Party Senator, now serving as Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture etc.