Youths need spaces to air their feelings and emotions

by Imran Bacchus

As the world observed International Peace Day on September 21, 2024 under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” it is important that we recognize the critical role young people play in promoting peace. Young people are often at the forefront of changing cultures and norms, and face the impacts of the poor decisions and actions of the older people around them. Hence, it is vital that we generate conversations on peace and peace-building among them so that we can have safer and more sound communities and environments.

Peace is what enables development and is critical in providing opportunities to young people. Efforts to preserve peace are absolutely vital in bringing prosperity and hope for the future. – Kim Yuna

Many youths today are raised in homes and communities where they are exposed to conflicts and violence that infringe on their minds and infiltrate their thinking and actions. Thus, it is crucial that we take the time to recollect and reconsider our behaviours and decisions that can negatively affect a generation that is innocent and yet to have their lives roll out before them.

We need to place more emphasis on our education system to keep our youths informed about changing dynamics, respecting different cultures, beliefs, religions, and sexual orientations; and how to act or respond to difficult circumstances. For too long, our young people have witnessed immense fighting among nations and within various segments of society, leading to the emergence of racial and political tensions.

Besides, young people are powerful influencers; they are witty and smart and can leverage their thoughts and ideas onto their peers easily. It is their influence that makes them powerful agents in advancing peace, as they are brisk and have access to a network of peers and technology that is within their span of power and control.

Accordingly, we need to not only consider peace as the absence of war or violence but also perceive it as actively creating institutions, structures, and systems that can monitor and promote peace, and drive peace-building initiatives. Hence, young people and leaders should be engaged in peacebuilding strategies and schemes since they are the ones for whom the future is being shaped. Moreover, peace is a fundamental human right that is being taken away from multitudes of children and youths across the globe. Therefore, we need to encourage more young people to be active changemakers and to use their voices to speak out against cruelty, injustice, and inhumane actions. The International Day of Peace provides us with a moment to reminisce on our traits and how we can be better and do better.

There is an urgent call for young people to be educated comprehensively on the subject of peace so that they can understand its complexities, see their responsibilities, and identify where they can contribute to a stable world. As Maria Montessori once affirmed, “Education is the best weapon for peace.” In the past, peace has always been presented and viewed as a vague theme for discussion, but it is a key component of the everyday life of every individual on the planet. Thus, in order to cultivate a culture of peace, parents must be willing and open to discussions with their children about conflicts that surround them; teachers must emphasize mechanisms of emotional intelligence in the school system, and religious institutions must not segregate themselves from matters of moral and societal ramifications.

In addition, it cannot be stressed enough how much we need to create spaces for youths to air their feelings and emotions. The formulation of policies and the enactment of various strategies and plans to promote peace among the wider young population is urgent, considering the rise and demonstration of violence across the world, especially our continental neighbours. Young people should be seen as allies of peace, and government and other stakeholder groups should work alongside them to develop solutions that can address social challenges at the root level and better meet their needs.

Further, when we equip young people with the right knowledge and skills, we can be assured that we will have better-abled individuals who can make sound decisions and act responsibly in a crisis. Thus, peace should be a critical subject in our schools either through religious conversations or groups or positive talk sessions. There is too much  lewd music and content that exist which are contaminating the minds of our young ones. Therefore, it is a reminder to all parents, social workers, and guardians to have honest and direct dialogues with youths and children under their care. At the same time, it should be underscored that teachers and religious institutions play a critical role in our societies and should be appreciated for being a beacon of guidance to many youths who are struggling and for working with youths in adverse situations.

Let’s have more discourse on peace!

Imran Bacchus is the Guyana Country Representative to CYPAN and President of the Guyana National Youth Council. He is passionate about and interested in youth empowerment and  gender-based violence. He enjoys writing poetry and has a love for politics, economic development and growth. He hopes to one day become a diplomat or to work in the political field.