Open Letter to all Youth Members

Dear Youth Member,

I HAVE A DREAM….

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace.
You may say I’m a dreamer,
But I’m not the only one.
I hope someday you’ll join us,
And the world will be as one.
-John Lennon

As I sit by the riverside, this calm and peaceful morning, I ponder over these words of John Lennon a great singer and a better Dreamer. ‘Peace today is a dead man’s cup of tea.’ Ironic as it may sound the statement does resonate today's hidden truth. I believe that if people around the world recognize the need for a non violent existence on the basis of co-operation and comprehensive youth contribution, this Dream could become a Reality in the near future.

As a youth in today’s modern materialistic world, I realize that sadly members of the Global Youth Community are afflicted with the 'Who Cares?' attitude. ‘Who cares about Peace, Politics or Governance?

My point here: Are we doing our bit? If not, do we have a moral stand to question an authority that we neither supported nor rejected? Can we state cynically at the behest of some propaganda that the country's political, economic and social status is in doldrums even though we are uncertain of the facts? It is easy to criticize, rally and shout slogans, but equally difficult to practice what we preach!

It is interesting to note what Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former Under Secretary General to the United Nations and currently a leading Member of Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, wrote on a plausible remedy on the Apathy of the Youth towards Politics and Human Rights.

He wrote,

“The only answer is to get involved! Young people must know they should not be indifferent to politics because it determines their opportunities in so many ways. We all get the political leaders we deserve, so if we stay apathetic we allow others to decide for us who makes the policies that shape our futures...”

Responsibility springs from the willingness to be an active participant in the system. The Sydney Peace Foundation, for example, started the ‘Youth Peace Initiative’ to bring about like- minded young individuals together to promote peace with Justice and Non- violence as its pillars.

An ecumenical non- violent and rational approach towards Life, The Government and one’s Environment are prerogatives in establishing a Just society. Just as how Peace cannot be an offshoot of War, Criticism cannot be an offspring of ignorance. Advocating the aforesaid values during the formative years of an individual will make him/her aware about the impending issues that we encounter. Take Sebastian Marot the founder of Friends International & Ann Cotton who received significant response from youngsters around the world to contribute to society in their own little way. These organizations aim at ‘making the World a Better Place to live in.’

As a member of the youth community, I believe that although a chance to create a phenomenal change on a global level overnight is svelte, we can and we must endeavor to fulfill this mammoth task. But the quintessential question is, ‘HOW?’

When I contemplate on this issue, I realize that primary problems faced globally include economic instability, social injustice, racism, gender bias political surreptitiousness and most importantly, Terrorism. As a member of a young and inexperienced whole, we may lack the maturity and the resources that a politician or diplomat is gifted with, but we are gifted with the opulence of one asset, ‘Will power’. Skillful use of this asset can bring about a major change in restoring World Peace.

To begin with, we need to find a permanent quick fix solution for the immediate problems at hand like poverty, unemployment, untouchability and gender bias. To uproot these four issues a group of individuals can start campaigning against them. We can achieve maximum support by using Education as a tool. For example, if two youth members have studied Economics, they must link themselves with associations or non- profit organizations especially for the development in rural areas that would need assistance in Finances. Similar attempts can be made in other fields like Agriculture, science etc.

In order to do away with unemployment, an efficient solution could be Training programs for the unskilled laborers given by experts in the field. The government could make provisions for these experts to work with the under- privileged. Community Service will foster the eradication of poverty. If we must solve these problems, we must create awareness by publicizing the ill effects of these major social concerns through responsible free media. Media support in the form of shows like The Citizen Journalist show on CNN- IBN is commendable.

Another issue that may not be prevalent everywhere but nonetheless exists is untouchability and racism. In this case members of the Global community who have had personal experiences with racism or untouchability and have succeeded in overcoming them must accompany the Youth Groups as a source of inspiration for those still suffering. Social service camps can be organized. Gender bias can be eradicated by placing men and women on equal footing in educational institutes and workplaces. Co-educational schools and colleges must be promoted to encourage a harmonious society. Volunteering at organisations like Teach For India, CRY and a lot more that work for the benefit of the rural and underprivelged urban populace.

As a young adult and an aspiring diplomat, my Dream is to make a difference by serving the poverty- stricken and victims of violence by serving the World’s Largest Organisation dedicated to the nobel mission of maintaining Peace, ‘The United Nations.’ With the help of fellow diplomats as promoters of Peace I would like to strive towards the process of reconciliation among disparate nations of the world by evicting barriers of insidiousness and deception by becoming an efficient interlocutor to instil world peace. Sustained efforts by all nations as a united global front will see the Death of Terrorism. I firmly disapprove of the dogma that the UN is merely a paper organization working only for a few Influential powers. For me, the UN is a paradigm of Universal Harmony. Although the UN has had its stumbling blocks, its ingenuity in contriving various measures through International Charters for Peace and Human Rights is commendable.

As a member of a vulnerable and yet paradoxically strong community, I urge you to re- think your stance towards the country and the government in the words of Robert Fulghum,

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.”

I've made my choice... The question remains... Have you?