IT GOES without saying that education is a fundamental part of youth development but what remains distorted is what is meant by ‘education’ and how it must be utilised to advance youth development.

Today, International Youth Day is being observed under the theme: “Youth Building Peace.” The genesis of this observance is to raise awareness on the circumstances of youth in individual countries and then across the globe. It also aims to empower youth to stand up for themselves.

Wholesome peace, in Guyana, will perhaps be achieved when poverty is eradicated and racial differences no longer divide citizens. But in light of youth day, how will this happen? I think it’s fair to say that education is a fair option towards achieving this.

You see, education and youth development are inextricably linked. Education isn’t only the academic side of things; it is also about learning culture and values and becoming empowered. It is a tool for social mobility; it is touted as the key to a better life for those living in poverty.

And just as education is touted as a tool for social mobility in a stratified society, the popular saying is that education dispels ignorance. Ignorance in culture and ignorance in national affairs are widespread and education is that tool that can adequately combat this. And youth are well-positioned to capitalise on education to fight poverty and to use it to combat ignorance.

This week there will be the fourth annual Youth Parliament, where 72 young persons will be given the opportunity to debate on topical matters and share their views on issues concerning youth. These youth will be drawn from every region in Guyana which will allow information sharing across regions, and perhaps dispelling misconceptions which the youth can clarify back in their communities.

As shared, the motions to be debated on the first day of the Parliament are centred upon efforts to combat climate change, non-communicable diseases, restructuring the education sector and youth representation in governance. While on the second day, university students will debate climate change, media and the press, alternative sentencing in keeping with the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act and oil and gas.

And having youth take the wealth of information they would’ve garnered from the experience is not a far-fetched idea. In fact, previous young parliamentarians have been tapped to render their services at the Youth Parliament and former parliamentarians have even gone on to establish mini youth parliaments in their communities.

Then, yesterday there was the Come Alive Network Incorporated (CANI)’s ‘Just Youth It’ conference- an annual conference which is a culmination of hundreds of youth all piping to have their voices heard and effect change in their communities and in the wider Guyana.

CANI’s conference is another testament to the positive impact youth can make once educated. Here, they are empowered and refilled with the drive to continue doing the great things they are all doing.

What caught my attention was that this year, as CANI is in its fifth year, the conference was extended to include ‘breakout’ sessions where youth were given opportunities to benefit from a myriad of informative presentations from entrepreneurship to animation to volunteerism.

Effectively, what this does is expose youth to areas where they may venture into and educate them on ways they can effect change in their communities. It allows youth to become empowered- socially and economically. And these were just short sessions held one day. Imagine the ripple effect that will be created should this be continued.

I will concede that there are so many programmes in Guyana that are geared towards developing youth but youth development in Guyana is not consistent and that is great a hindrance to development. And much of youth development is focused on bolstering academics, which is great but not the facet of education that adds to development.

You see, I will say again that youth are well positioned to effect change in any society. The development of a nation rests on developing its people who will in turn harness the other resources. Youth are a key demographic and a good long-term investment for any society, but in order to use them, they must be developed. Education is the key to youth development.