TO paraphrase Colin Powell’s rhetorical questions: “Where else does a child learn how to behave; learn the experiences … totems and traditions of the past; look for proper examples except from responsible, caring, loving adults in his or her life?” Recently I have been observing the number of events organised to attract young people in particular, and I wondered if these were also geared for their active participation leading to community development.  With this thought in mind I enquired from some of my friends and associates whether they knew of the 4-H clubs which were once organised in this country.  Somewhat to my surprise only a very few could recall knowing or even hearing of 4-H clubs.  I thereupon ventured online to refresh my memory of this volunteer-oriented social enterprise which was established with youth in mind.  However, I therefore wish to make it quite clear at the outset that most of what follows was garnered from my online research.

To put things into proper perspective, it is important that we get an idea of the 4-H concept which is captured in the pledge which says: I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service and, my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.  Thus it was that during the late 19th century, when the rural adult population in farming communities resisted the development of innovative techniques at public universities in the USA that researchers determined that through youth programmes young people would be the conduit through which new thinking and new ideas would be generated and their experiences and successes  shared with adults.  Rural youth programmes thus became  innovative vehicles to introduce new agricultural technology to communities and incubated the 4-H idea where community clubs were formed to provide practical, hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom aimed at a community-relevant education with youth learning leadership skills while exploring ways to give back to their communities.

I am sure that the Director of Youth in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is well aware of the 4-H model of youth development.  However, it would not be asking too much for more emphasis to be placed on volunteerism; youth-adult partnerships; and the nurturing of positive experiences gained from a diversity of backgrounds.  Therefore, in much the same way that youths have been instrumental in having new technologies accepted, we in Guyana could move to introduce revolutionary concepts.  This to my mind is one way of moving past rhetoric if we are really serious about empowering young people.  In other words, we would have developed a nation of highly motivated future adults who see themselves as the agents of change.

Editor, when we look at issues such as climate change, AIDS, public safety and security etc. we sometimes see an adult population which appears asleep at the wheel with no regard to where it is going.  There seems to be a marked lack of appreciation for the type of legacy in terms of the world they will leave behind.  In our current scenario our efforts could also benefit immensely from corporate and foundation partnerships with youth initiatives.  It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that we create and – with the participation of our young people- sustain the kind of environment which allows our youth to become responsible citizens leading healthy and productive lives for the benefit of our nation as a whole.