We promise ourselves that we will listen, work together and find solutions, President Paul Kagame told the Commonwealth youth on June 25, 2015.
He was speaking at the 7th Commonwealth Intergenerational Dialogue that took place on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali.
The dialogue brought together heads of government from different regions, as well as five youth from each region. They shared their experiences and suggested solutions to various problems youth face.
President Kagame stated that while it is clear that youth have mastered the challenges facing the world, he also highlighted the needs to address these challenges.
“It is clear that the whole world, particularly young people face problems of climate change, unemployment, access to skills, to finance, to technologies, all these are things we have to pay attention to together,” he noted.
Working together is the first thing as members of the Commonwealth, the young, the old, he said, “There are not going to be always just problems for the youth, then problems for the old, there are those that are cut across and we share, that’s why it is important that we work together.”
Kagame said: “What we can say as leaders is to commit ourselves that we shall listen, we shall work together, we shall find solutions together…commitment is the most important thing and we can move along together.”
He highlighted that as 70 percent of Rwanda’s population are youth; “we have an idea of what these challenges are but we are more than happy to work with everyone in other countries of the Commonwealth, the young and the old.”
Kim Allen, Chair of Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), conveyed recommendation from the youth delegates to the leaders, “partnership is key to young people…and they are willing to work together with you.”
“Number two is resources and finance, Commonwealth Youth Council lacks the resources. We are here on a voluntary basis, the roles that are given here are all volunteering, you can see our commitment towards working with you but without financial support and resources, we can’t do this.”
Famida Faiza, Asia regional Youth Council representative, said that putting young people in the same place beside the chair where key policymakers are sited is what ‘taking charge of our future’ looks like.
“However, when I go back home I want to tell the young people of Asia that we were not just given a seat, we were given priority. And this can be ensured by your continued commitment towards young people,” she added.
Kendell Vincent, a representative of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council, asked leaders for continued work to ensure digital transmission and access for young people in rural areas as well as the minority.
Namir Chowdhurry is a representative of Europe and Canada Youth Council. He noted that green and blue jobs are at the heart and soul of the transition to the future work.
“But the problem is that we are preparing our young people and children for that. We are really keen to work on holistic education to solve that issue to build an idea of what a curriculum should look like in the modern day.”
Sagufta Salma Janif was the Pacific regional Youth Council representative and highlighted the solutions that young people desire.
“We want easy access to climate finance such as green bonds, blue bonds, and sustainable carbon trading practices so we can build resilient infrastructure so small business can continue their operations, creating employment for young people instead of rebuilding again and again.”
She also demanded universal healthcare, especially for preventable diseases such as cervical cancer, and that all children have access to vaccines.
“We are looking forward to these times ahead of so many challenges but even more opportunities,” Kagame said.
akagina@newtimesrwanda.com
Source: rnewtimes
