Youth and the political process

Since commencement of the 21st century, political leaders have been encouraging young people to play an integral role in the development of their communities and countries by getting actively involved in the decision-making processes of their societies.
They have, time and time again, posited that “young people are tomorrow’s leaders” as they underscored the importance of equipping youths with the requisite skills, knowledge and resources that are necessary to make a positive impact on the world.
This has resulted in some experienced and genuine politicians lobbying within the Executive and Legislative branches of their respective Governments for larger investments to be channelled towards education as a sector, and towards youth development. There has also been a dedicated campaign on the part of some modern-minded politicians aimed at fighting for youths to be included as a serious and permanent partner in the democratic structure and decision-making inner group of Governments and leading national policy-making bodies around the world.
At the same time, these politicians realise that, despite their best efforts, they are unable to cope with the wave of social change that has gripped their countries and disrupted the traditional political status quo. They understand that, as politicians, they must enlist the support and bright new ideas of younger people if they are to remain in control and protect the legacies that they have fought hard throughout their careers to achieve.
It is at this point that the situation becomes interesting and dangerous. While some older politicians have no difficulty with passing the baton to younger minds to continue the political struggle for the creation of more developed and economically sound countries, others either procrastinate or quietly refuse.
The first group embarks on a process of training and educating youths by delegating major tasks related to governance and political activism to folks who are considered political novices. It is these novices who, with the right guidance from party elders, embark on bold and revolutionary policies that not only radically and positively change their own political institutions, but change the prevailing national political culture and country.
The second group has a history of enlisting youths as distant observers of the governance process. The involvement of youth is limited, and they are reminded, even when they have worked hard, that they must remain loyal and be thankful for any reward they receive, especially if it is a Government posting or elevation in party rank. These youths are kept like ornaments on shelves in a backroom, and are oiled and placed in front of the windows only when an election is imminent. And the problem is that these very young people are being used to fool and convince their peers that a better life is ahead of them if they exercise their franchise to keep their elders in and other younger and sometimes promising candidates out.
The final group consists of politicians who do not govern in the interest of the country, but for a particular constituency. While they hide behind the guise of patriotism, they are, in fact, the biggest threat to the unification of the society they strive to govern. To them, youths are collateral damage and ‘strange fruits’ that they can exert influence over.
They promise change and youth empowerment and leadership, but reward only those in line with their mantra. Youths must wait until all the elders have served. They lock youths out, and attempt to speak and make decisions for them.
In Guyana, youths have grown weary of the aforementioned types of politicians. The elections of 2011 and 2015 have left many youths from the three major political parties feeling bitter, dissatisfied, hurt, betrayed and used. Many of the issues that drove youths to cross political lines and support elder candidates for the posts of President and Prime Minister are still unresolved, as unemployment soars and youth violence remains constant.
Apart from completion of the National Youth Policy, young people are not treated with the respect they deserve. If they are seriously the leaders of tomorrow, then the present crop of today’s politicians needs to give way so that they can directly impact tomorrow’s policies.
As a former American leader, Rachel Jackson, said: “Our youth are not failing the system; the system is failing our youth. Ironically, the very youth who are being treated the worst are the young people who are going to lead us out of this nightmare.”
Also, statements attributed to a youth from the Bronx in the US are full of food for thought for Guyanese leaders. He said, “If you had a problem in the Black community, and you brought in a group of White people to discuss how to solve it, almost nobody would take that panel seriously. In fact, there’d probably be a public outcry. It would be the same for the women’s issues or gay issues.
“But every day, in local arenas all the way to the White House, adults sit around and decide what problems youth have, and what youth need, without ever consulting us.”
Therefore, as 2020 approaches, if young people are not allowed to speak for themselves, then they will speak via their ballots.