Commonwealth Opportunities For Youth
Prompt
To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared 2023 a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development and called on the renewal and strengthening of our commitment to youth engagement and empowerment.
Of the Commonwealth’s population of almost 2.5 billion people, 60% are under 30. This young demographic represents a dynamic ‘youth force for change’ comprised of exceptional young people increasingly involved in advocacy, decision-making, and action.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 asks entrants to explore young people's power within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact.
Senior Category
((Born between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009) 14-18 years of age)
- As Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty The King is opening an international conference on the importance of young people in decision-making. Write his speech.
- Does age matter?
- The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world?
- Script a dialogue between two people, with contrasting viewpoints, on an issue that divides generations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I stand before you today as the Head of the Commonwealth, but more importantly, as an advocate for the future of our world. A future that is being shaped, as we speak, by the vibrant, dynamic, and powerful force that is our youth.
In a rapidly changing world, where the challenges we face are increasingly complex, the question arises - does age matter? To this, age is but an inhibitor to some of the brightest minds in our world. It is not the years in our life but the life in our years that truly counts. The wisdom of experience and the vitality of youth are not mutually exclusive; instead, they are two sides of the same coin. Each brings a unique perspective, strength, and potential to contribute to the betterment of our world.
The youth, with their fresh ideas, innovative spirit, and inherent understanding of the digital world, are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today. They are the ones who are pushing boundaries, challenging norms and daring to dream of a world that is better than the one we live in today.
As we delve deeper into the importance of youth participation in decision-making, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences of their exclusion.
Firstly, decisions made without the input of young people may not reflect their needs and interests. This could lead to policies and initiatives that are less effective and relevant for the youth demographic, resulting in wasted resources and potentially causing harm. We must strive to ensure that our decisions are informed by the diverse experiences and perspectives of our youth to create genuinely representative and beneficial policies.
Next, a lack of youth participation can lead to feelings of alienation or disempowerment among young people. This can contribute to social unrest, apathy, or a lack of trust in institutions. Our responsibility is to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among our youth to ensure they feel valued and heard.
In addition, participation in decision-making can help young people develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. A lack of participation could mean missed opportunities for this kind of personal development. We must provide opportunities for our youth to engage in meaningful dialogue and decision-making, to help them grow and thrive.
Likewise, for a democracy to be truly representative, it must include the voices of all segments of society, including young people. A lack of youth participation could mean a less diverse and inclusive political landscape, undermining the democratic process. We must strive to ensure that our democratic institutions reflect our society's diversity.
Furthermore, participation in decision-making processes can provide young people with valuable insight into how decisions are made, how to negotiate, and how to advocate for change. If young people are excluded from these processes, they may be less prepared to take on leadership roles in the future. We must invest in our future leaders, providing them with the experiences and opportunities they need to succeed.
Lastly, young people often bring fresh perspectives and creative ideas to the table. By excluding them from decision-making, there's a risk of missing out on these insights. We must value and encourage the innovative ideas of our youth, for they are the ones who will shape the future of our world.
In 2023, the Commonwealth declared the Year of Youth, a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development. This was a symbolic gesture and a moment of significant social change. It was a recognition of young people's power within the global community and a call to action for all of us to harness this power for the greater good.
The impact of the Year of Youth on the world has been profound. We have seen young people leading the way in advocating for climate action, championing social justice, and driving technological innovation. They have shown us that they are not just passive recipients of the decisions we make today but active participants in shaping the world of tomorrow.
As we move forward, let us remember the lessons we have learned from the Year of Youth. Let us continue to engage and empower our young people to listen to their voices, value their contributions, and harness their energy and ideas for the betterment of our world.
In conclusion, the future of the Commonwealth, and indeed the world, lies in the hands of our youth. Let us commit to nurturing, empowering, and investing in them, for they are our future and present. Including young people in decision-making is not just a matter of fairness but necessity. It is essential for the effectiveness of our policies, the health of our democracy, and the future of our world. Let us commit to nurturing, empowering, and investing in our youth, for they are our future and present.
Thank you.
links
https://workwithusaid.org/ https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=slcek12 https://360participation.com/the-importance-of-young-people-participation-in-the-process-of-creating-youth-policy/ https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/04/recognizing-young-people-equal-partners-decision-making https://givingcompass.org/article/youth-agent-change-society https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/monee7sume.pdf https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/08/young-people-hold-the-key-to-creating-a-better-future/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-4446.12820
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Decisions made may not reflect the needs and interests of young people. This could lead to policies and initiatives that could be more effective and relevant for the youth demographic, wasting resources and potentially causing harm.
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Young people may feel alienated or disempowered, contributing to social unrest, apathy, or a lack of trust in institutions.
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The development of essential skills among young people may need to be improved. Participating in decision-making processes can help young people develop skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. A lack of participation could mean missed opportunities for this kind of personal development.
-
The democratic process could be undermined. For a democracy to be truly representative, it must include the voices of all segments of society, including young people. A lack of youth participation could mean a less diverse and inclusive political landscape.
-
Future generations of leaders may need more preparation. Participating in decision-making processes can provide young people with valuable insight into how decisions are made, how to negotiate, and how to advocate for change. If young people are excluded from these processes, they may be less prepared to take on leadership roles in the future.
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There could be a need for more innovative ideas and perspectives. Young people often bring fresh perspectives and creative ideas to the table. By excluding them from decision-making, there's a risk of missing out on these insights.