Preparing youth is a priority
Youth represent a tremendous human force; they are the drivers of progress, and through their efforts, development goals are achieved. For youth to fulfill this role, we must focus on their proper upbringing, one that instills values, principles, and ethics. We must also ensure their academic and cultural development through an exceptional educational system that enhances their capabilities and equips them with the experiences and skills necessary to realize their ambitions and contribute to the building of their nations.
Education is considered a fundamental right for youth everywhere, as it is the cornerstone of their empowerment. Through education, they acquire knowledge and technologies and are able to keep pace with the rapid scientific and technological changes. This necessitates the development of specialized programs and studies that incorporate practical application and experience — a fusion of learning, work, knowledge, and expertise. This is especially important given the rapid technological transformations and the economic and social changes they face, which require preparing and equipping them in a way that aligns with the demands of the labor market. This can only be achieved by developing high-quality educational systems that connect the required disciplines and skills with the various sectors of employment.
Nevertheless, there are 244 million children and youth out of school worldwide, with the majority concentrated in low-income countries. This is one of the challenges faced by some nations that are unable to provide education for all, in addition to the resulting loss of potential and energy among these young people.
Unlike previous generations, today’s youth face different challenges across all aspects of life. Moreover, some of them do not have access to the psychological support they desperately need to help them cope with the interconnected local and global pressures.
The most prominent of these challenges include lack of access to education and essential skills, limited job opportunities, excessive use of social media, cyberbullying, feelings of loneliness and psychological disorders, weakened family and social relationships, and increasing competition within educational systems along with family expectations for their children to achieve top grades. All of this creates psychological pressure on young people, affecting the development of their personalities and their ability to cope with life’s demands.
This requires serious efforts and innovative, long-term policies to safeguard these young people by providing a safer family environment. It also necessitates raising the awareness of parents and schoolteachers, especially those involved in the upbringing of youth and who influence the shaping of their personalities. Therefore, it is essential to develop comprehensive preventive and remedial strategies that encompass education, awareness, legislation, and effective youth programs.
To maximize the impact of youth and empower them to build a more inclusive and sustainable world in the future, efforts must be unified across the public and private sectors, as well as civil society. This includes involving youth in issues that concern them, giving them the opportunity to participate in decision-making related to their educational, professional, and living futures, and providing continuous support to those who are outstanding and talented. This is essential to investing in their capabilities and creative energies. It is also vital to continue raising awareness—both among youth and those who work with them—to ensure their proper preparation, sound upbringing, and preservation as a promising human force capable of leading the progress of their countries and communities.
Therefore, it is essential to develop educational, social, and economic policies that can provide swift and innovative solutions, aimed at preserving the capabilities of youth, protecting their potential and skills, and utilizing them in building sustainable development.
Fatima bint Mubarak
