There needs to be concerted effort to encourage youth involvement in the political process, as the current political landscape seems to be unattractive to young people. This is according to leading politicians, who have dished out solutions that they perceive to be necessary to ensure that the country’s future leaders are enthused to lead.
Robert Persaud, former chairman of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party, told Guyana Times International: “The wider society must be more receptive, as well as those involved in political leadership in all parties must cultivate a positive and modern political culture which attracts youth rather than cause a cynical view of politics.” He also acknowledged that concerted efforts are needed to guarantee long-term interest by youth in the political process.
“The future belongs to us, and being mere spectators in the political process is insufficient,” Persaud said in a direct message to young people.
Robert Persaud, former chairman of the PYO
“Further, with opportunities afforded by new technologies, including the deployment of social networking platforms in the political realm, (it) should lead to more interest. Examples of how the technology attracted youth were the last U.S. presidential elections and current political changes in the Arab world,” the agriculture minister further stated.
He said that young people’s involvement in politics has always been a cornerstone of the PPP’s political and developmental outlook.
According to him, the PPPC was the first to form a youth arm, from which many of the leaders of the past and present have emerged.
“The PPP can boast of delivering to Guyana its youngest, longest-serving and most transformational executive president,” Persaud, a government minister, declared.
“If we look at the Cabinet today, it has the largest ever composition of young people in recent history.” Presidential hopeful Ralph Ramkarran, of the PPPC, said that the solution to this critical issue is to create an environment of opportunity where young people are encouraged to get involved. “What youth are interested in is their future, and youth are interested in extra curricula activities,” he acknowledged. But aside from using this, the plan is to also take advantage of early childhood education, which he cited as critical in shaping a child’s mind.
This is a view supported by the Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnarine. “I think we have to work very hard to transform the political environment,” he expressed. He believes that the work of politicians of today should be to ensure that young people no longer see politics as “ugly”. The youngest presidential candidate hopeful, from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), James Bond, believes that the disinterest is fuelled by the non-inclusion of youths in issues related to them.
“On matters of crime, education and health, there should be consultations held with young people to design policies and programs to reduce the dropout rates and high illiteracy, joblessness, the spate of criminal enterprise (and), the abuse of alcohol and other substances.” According to statistics coming out of the Guyana Elections Commission, the percentage of first-time voters will be significantly high, and this could influence the outcome of an election and advancement of a country should youth firstly turn up to vote, then ultimately stand up to responsibility.
Youth are considered those between the ages of 13 and 35.
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