The United Nations defines ‘Youth’ any person between the age of 15 years and 24 years for statistical purpose. Youth play a vital role in the development of societies. The are a positive force for development when given the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive. There are approximately 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16% of the global population. By 2030, the number of youth is projected to grow by 7% to nearly 1.3 billion. We know all other age groups, the kids, teenagers, middle aged and the senior citizens rely on the youth and expect a lot from them. This makes the youth to be an important age group in both today’s society and the future society than other age groups. Therefore, due to the high dependence on youth in the society, we the youth have a role to play because the future of our families, communities and the country lies in our hands. The level of moral development, civilization and consolidation of authority and potency depends on the morality of its youth. It can be said that nations survive till their ethics live. The role of the youth is simply to renew, refresh and maintain. Youth have a role to renew and refresh the current status of our society including leadership, innovations, skills etc. They are expected to advance the current technology, education, politics, peace of the country. On the other hand, youths have also to maintain the culture of our culture, all good values in the societies, development projects, etc. Youth can play an important role in the development of the society. This is the important segment of the society and youth can play a vital role in the development of the country. Today, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. By 2030—the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that make up the 2030 Agenda—the number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 per cent, to nearly 1.3 billion. According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects the population stood at 1,407,563,842. India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35. As the country with the largest youth cohort, its 254 million youth (15-24 years) can be a source of innovation, new thinking and lasting solutions. Unfortunately there is lack of opportunities, professional training institutes, awareness for youth in the country.
Educated youth is unemployed, they are unable to participate in the country’s development because we do not have sufficient resources to support all needy. There are not sufficient training institute in the country where in majority student can get professional training for their careers. Youth is now becoming a depressed segment of society, there are degrees but no jobs, there are universities but no professional education, there are schools in many countries but different education systems between elite and poor, there is a government but not a proper policy as to how they can solve these issues. Government should realize the situation and take quick measures to save the future of the nation. Otherwise situation may make the youth choose more destructive paths that will be detrimental to society of a country. Youth is considered to be the backbone of any nation and the level of moral development, civilization and consolidation of authority and potency depends on the morality of its youth. It can be said that nations survive till their ethics lives. It can be said that morality makes a perfect man and perfect society consequently. If any nation is deprived of its moral code of conduct than ultimately that nation loses honor in the eyes of God and then loses respect and honor among people. It happens because its youth loses moral character and is deprived of decent and honorable traits. So the youth must make its character fair and moral in order to make a moral society for the future. Almighty has praised such people who avoid themselves from immoral things. Youth has a very important role to play for society. For that we need to know why youth are so special. It is so because they are young, full of energy and educated with rationality as their ultimate belief.
Now we mention in brief role of youth in society as (a) Reproduce: reproduction here does not mean increasing the population but it means that they full fill the position left by the elder. Like son takes up the position of father in a company. (b) Protection: Youth are expected to protect their culture and tradition while at the same time makes it better and embrace changes in the society. For instance it is youth only who becomes a part of political movement for a major change in a country. They becomes a part of armed forces too, to safeguard the freedom of people and so on (c) Growth: The growth of a country in all the spheres like Social, political and economic spheres mostly depends on youth only. They with a fresh energy can perform better and ensure the growth of society. There are many other roles of youth in the society. They are like the leading character of a movie. Youth also need to take care of old ones who are now going to be dependent. Infact, every society is made up of people of different classes, values and ages, and everyone has to play an important, essential and crucial role in the society of today and of future. And it is the duty of every member of society to participate in strengthening the society. And every society is as well made up of different classes of people participating in building and maintaining it.
“Every year on August 12, we celebrate International Youth Day to highlight different issues affecting young people. This day raises awareness about barriers to inter-generational solidarity, especially ageism and other cultural and legal problems. These issues harm society overall, so we must take steps to prevent them. The first International Youth Day took place on August 12, 2000, after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted it in 1999. The main goal of this day is to bring attention to the various issues young people face.”
The youths and young ones are part of this society, but their role is more important than others. They are integral and essential part of a society and a society is incomplete without young blood. Therefore it is said: “Today’s youths are the force, hope and leaders of tomorrow”, because they are the future of society, country and community. Young people are the driving force of change and can encourage governments and authorities to declare their priorities. Young people have important responsibilities towards their society. It is important to learn from the past and to live with a hope for a better future, a future that is appropriate for our children and future generations. In major religions of world we observe God often used young people to do great things. In Islam, following are the fundamental responsibilities of the youth:
(a) Knowledge of the basic fundamentals of the teachings of Islam and Allah’s guidance through the right sources. It remains a crystal fact that man is lost and blind if not for the divine guidance of the Creator. One must realize that building the society towards the right direction is a means to attaining paradise and a positive contribution to the world.
(b) True Values, Morals: After the basic knowledge, it becomes imperative that the youths take it a responsibility upon themselves to display and put in practice what they have learnt. The future generation has a duty to be honest, genuine, of good values and to work day and night for the betterment of the society and the country.
(c) Sound Education: The world we are today requires a very sound and well modeled education to be abreast of happenings or be able to make positive impact in it. It is necessary that one must build his educational carrier upon a very strong sound religious knowledge. This is one of the best ways, if not the only, that can guarantee a balance in educational and worldly achievements, good morals, honesty and true dedication in one’s endeavours.
(d) Good Home: This is a great pillar to the building of a better society. Youths should get married to spouses who are not just beautiful damsels, but God fearing and righteous. Marriage should be encouraged for the youths and supported as much as possible morally, psychologically and financially. This will prevent the lots of immoralities we witness in our societies.
(e) Financial Stabilitye: The youths are to be taught how to get financially stable as early as possible. This will give them the self confidence to happily shoulder responsibilities. (f) Support of the Elders and needy: It must be made clear to the youth that they are the golden eyes of the society. They have the physical strength and courage, the time and little responsibilities, the health and less boredom. All these are characteristics they should be able to utilize effectively in supporting their parents, elders and other needy ones. In our modern society, there are very important challenges being faced by the youth, which the elderly generation may not have a good understanding of their impacts and importance in the life of the growing youths. These are challenges no more restricted to any one ethnic or religious group, but affect young people generally. Most discussions on youth have focussed on issues such as drug abuse, crime, violence, sexuality and poverty. This are well spelt out problems already being tackled by the societies, in a view of making the youths realize their responsibilities towards such challenges as a way to building a better collective society. In addition to the just mentioned are issues like: An Identity Crisis: Who am I, Lack of self confidence and low self esteem: I am worthless, A sense of hopelessness: Where am I going, Confusion and ambiguity concerning moral issues: What is right and wrong, The negative impact of the electronic media: Entertainment, Competitiveness in education: the uneven playing field: Excellence by whom? Not Me. History behind Observation of International Youth Day: The United Nations General Assembly, in 1965, started making efforts to make positive impact on the lives of youths worldwide. Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples was sanctioned and there was an increase in the amount of time and resources devoted towards empowering the youth. The same was done by recognizing up-and-coming leaders and offering them resources to meet the needs of the world. Again in 1999, a recommendation was made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth to observe International Youth Day. On December 17, 1999 the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution and the first International Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000. Since then, the IYD is observed every year with great enthusiasm all around the world. Every year August 12 is celebrated as International Youth Day with the aim to draw worldwide focus towards various issues surrounding the youths of our world. Awareness is raised on certain barriers pertaining to inter-generational solidarity, notably ageism and other cultural and legal issues. These issues have damaging effects on society as a whole and steps must be taken to prevent them. The first International Youth Day was observed on 12 August, 2000 after its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1999. The main purpose of organizing this day is to draw worldwide focus towards various issues surrounding the youths.
(The author is Professor & Head (Agri. Econ & Statistics, FOA at S K University Of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Kashmir SKUAST-K, Srinagar, J&K. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Bilal A Bhat
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