PRESIDENT David Granger in his address at the last Youth Leadership Programme graduation committed his administration’s intent to re-establish the Youth Corps on the 1st January 2018, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of its launch. None can deny that such a focus is overdue given that the future of our young demographic, if not addressed in a forceful and concerted manner, is perilous.

Where the possibility of employment and economic opportunities seem dim, the education system perceived to be contributing to failure, the family structures going through its own challenges, instant gratification and anti-social conduct are being glamourised; there is a social crisis on our hands. A country ought to be concerned when a generation, who will have to shoulder the responsibility for safeguarding and building the future, seems rudderless in an environment that has not provided them enough productive outlet.

The crisis in the youth community can no longer go unnoticed, nor will a hodgepodge or piecemeal approach in seeking to fix it, suffice. Approximately two-thirds of this society is 40 years and younger, which means that Guyana not only has a healthy human capital pool at the most productive period of their lives, but is under-utilising such talents which carry dire consequences for development, inclusive of self and nation.

The hope demonstrated two plus years ago by the young in getting involved to shape the political destiny of the country speaks to a group that no longer wants to be invisible, but being a major player in moulding their destiny. Thus the pronouncement by President Granger must be seen as a response to the growing, visible activism to not be on the side lines of affecting their affairs and the course of the nation’s direction.

The Youth Corps (1968) was the precursor to the Guyana National Service (1975-2000) which suffered the injuries of having its objectives misrepresented. As the concept for the Youth Corps unfolds, it requires the involvement of stakeholders to ensure avoidance of the pitfalls of the past, and ensure the programme meets the acceptable desire of the young community. Staying engaged on this idea is a responsibility of every citizen, more so the older among us, who have a responsibility to create the enabling environment for younger generations to bloom and grow.

A 21st century youth corps needs to imbue in our society a greater sense of nationalism, since this awareness is important to harnessing the potential of the nation and the possibilities for the people. Where globalisation is much more than economic trade and transfer of money, avoiding pitfalls of crime, including money laundering and terrorism, it is also a potent machinery to positively learn from and share with others in building a more humane and inclusive society.

The threats humanity face as in instances of wars, hunger, poverty, climate change, and natural disasters, are matters the young will have to pay attention to in order to protect mankind and the environment. Nationalism is intertwined with internationalism, and what happens in other societies can too have a bearing in the domestic environment. Given this reality it helps when the young are cognisant of the landscape, domestic and foreign, and seek to influence the shaping of both to redound to their betterment.

Opportunities for learning need not only be readily accessible but also affordable because in this growing complex world ignorance is not a choice. To respond to challenges and make the best of decisions, such are facilitated with careful understanding of the issues and the implications the decisions are likely to have. These are not skills and abilities that are developed overnight, they have to be nurtured and the earlier done the better it is for the people and country.

The benefits of a youth corps can see more people being put into productive activities, which can enhance various sectors in the economy, even as it creates new ones. With government’s aim of pursuing economic development in a sustainable manner, focusing on the protection of the environment can propel the transformation needed in tackling climate change.

Finally, a youth corps should seek to harness the diverse skills, talents, and abilities of the people. To make the most of this the technical expertise of educators, agriculturalists, sociologists, psychologists, engineers and so forth are needed from the embryonic stage to ensure delivery based on the desire of the society and more particularly the demographic it targets. The ultimate objective for the formation of this institution must be to unleash the creative potential of the young and channel their energies toward productive endeavours for the good of self, country and the world.