Youths will build future, says woman observer

By ROBERTLYN KIG
YOUNG people are the architects of the future and must be given the opportunity to work towards that future, a woman commentator has said.
Arianne Kassman was among a group of people discussing challenges facing young people as part of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth youth programme held at University of Papua New Guinea new lecture theatre.
She spoke on the topics of employment and opportunity, and peace and security.
“When an opportunity is given to go study overseas or out of the country, make it your responsibility to get the knowledge and experience to come and give back to our people,” Kassman said.
“Don’t see opportunities as events that you are just attending, rather look at them as chances to do more, to be more and to actually make a change for this country because that’s what we desperately need.”
Young people should be seen as assets to any country’s development regardless of their socio-economic status or background.
They should be empowered and provided opportunities to realise their full potential to be able to meaningfully contribute back to their societies, Kassman said.
With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) set to be hosted in Samoa on Oct 21, the Commonwealth Day celebrations not only look to spotlight the theme of CHOGM but to highlight the opportunity it presents for young people across PNG and the Pacific.
The reason to commemorate the annual commonwealth day was to engage and inform young people through meaningful discussion as the Pacific builds momentum to host CHOGM this year.
The discussion was aimed at facilitating knowledge sharing with young people in the areas of development, democracy, climate change and youth engagement.
Other members of the group who shared their background stories and perspectives with the students were Winnie Kiap, Fredah Joses and Dr Bradley Yombon-Copio.