“The youth is the hope for our future”, my favorite line which was once

uttered by my country’s national hero who liberated the country from colonialism,

Dr. Jose Rizal.

Indeed, no one can ever underestimate the power of the youth to mold the future.

In a civilized nation, the voice of the younger people matters. The youth is given

equal opportunity to be heard, to decide, and to engage in political actions. In my

country, we recognized the youth’s participation in politics. We have “Sangguniang

Kabataan” elections, were the youth has the right to vote and be voted upon an

electoral position. The youth is a fundamental ingredient in a formula of a collective

decision-making by virtue of the gift of democracy our country has offered.

I cannot deny the ability of the younger generation to foster improvements and

become a catalyst of change.

“The youth is the hope of our future.”

It is neither an overstatement nor an understatement, lest one of the truest

statement known to man. In fact, history may tell us the basis of the above quoted

declaration. From Galileo Galilie’s interest in medicine which urged him to enroll in

a medical school at the age of 17, and being able to publish a book at the age of 22,

Pascal’s work on calculating devices and prototypes at the age of 16 which become

the basis of our windows-based computers today, to the youngest Nobel Prize

laureate at age of 17 in the person of Malala Yousafzai. The world of science has

been embarked by grown-ups generally, however these jobs is no longer for adults

only. Subramanyan Chandrasekhar aged 19 when he begin his theoretical studies

of the physical processes of importance to the structure and evolution of the stars.

He won the Nobel Prize for such study.

The power of the youth to change the world cannot be contained. It just

proved that youth is really the hope of our future. Academic triumph and scientific

success is not only obtainable by adults, nor confined to the elders. The ability to

achieve things is available to everybody regardless of age so long as he/she is

determined enough to do so. Otherwise stated, the ability of the youth to do great

things is neither diminished nor altered by the mere fact of being in tender age,

what is true is that the youth can do great things!

Remarkable individual during their youth

I. Youth in Human Rights

In fight for illiteracy and human rights, one remarkable young individual stood

up against an odds so great that her life was at stake. Malala Yousafzai at the age

of 15 was shot in the head by a Taliban by being outspoken of girl’s right of

education in Pakistan. She survived the attack and continued her advocacies being

a human rights activist. This incident merely reiterates the youth’s influence in the

society. Her tender age did not hinder her to speak out for the right of education.

Her influence is resounding and echoes in the very heart of its people and to the

whole world. She became a treat to Taliban’s opposition group.

II. Youth in times of war

 It has been held that peace does not necessarily exist in the absence of war. For

a traditional definition would suggest that peace exist in the cessation of war and

violence. However, in today’s context, peace accepts broader definition. There can

be no peace when there is poverty, corruption, political brawls, poor social justice

system and poor leadership. Although it embraces a broad definition and seemingly

great responsibility, a youth can attain such objective.

Worthy to note the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela who in the age of

26 co-founded the African National Congress Youth League. Mandela actively

involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s. For 20 years, he directed a

campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the South African government

and its racist policies.

III. Youth in Diplomacy

Diplomatic relationships is the key factor in considering the state’s foreign

affairs, more so such is a primordial consideration on peace talks and drafting

international treaties. The art of diplomacy is seamed from education and

mastered by experience. It is therefore crucial that youth of today must be

knowledgeable on the basic concepts of peace and security being future diplomats.

One of the greatest diplomats in the world is Cornelio Sommaruga who entered the

Swiss diplomatic corps at the age of 25. He became senior representative to United

Nations Conference on Trade and Development, General Agreement on Tariffs and

Trade (GATT) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE),

where he further developed his diplomatic and negotiating skills.

IV. Youth as Patriots

The Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards for about 300 years. Until one

brave patriot stood up against the abusive, arrogant and despotic tyrants which

leads to Filipinos ultimate freedom.

The Philippines under the Spanish regime is a deplorable state. Its people does not

enjoy civil liberties and constitutional guarantees for having none. The country is

governed not by Filipinos, but by a foreign nationals who disregards the welfare of

its people. Because of this, Jose Rizal opened his eyes to the glaring violations and

degradation of human dignity by rampant physical abuses and violence imputed to

his country man, and abuse of political power. Jose Rizal loved his country dearly
that at the age of 26, he wrote a book entitled “NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical novel

exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy. It was printed in Berlin

and Paris to expose Spanish’s colonization. A second book entitled El

FILIBUSTERISMO was a revolutionary tirade to expose the abuses the Filipinos

suffered under the Spanish regime. Jose Rizal fearlessly combat the abuse of power

and influence by using his pen and intellect. This led Filipinos awakening of the

current state of the country. The Philippine revolution began, led by the

liberationist movement whose primary aim is to seek independence from Spanish

colonization. This influence the people. Because of this revolution, Jose Rizal was

executed by a firing squad. Rizal’s work has a far-reaching implications that 2 years

after his death a peace treaty was signed and after 4 years from his death, the

Philippine finally proclaim independence.

The power of youth to be a catalyst of change is not an impossibility. History

is the living proof of such fact. Scientist, leaders, diplomats, peace builders, human

rights activists, and advocates, some of them started their work at the very young

age. Youth possessing a young body and mind if used properly can be of a great

contribution to the society. The society needs the young people who will contribute
a fresh idea and theoretical values for the betterment of our community and even

in the world. Thus, it has been a responsibility of every family as the basic institution

and the community the proper rearing and nurturing of children. This implies that

youth is never a barricade to the attainment and realization of our goals. The

collective efforts of the youth today is a relief in the future. So long as the youth

will continue to take their part, to do their share, we can have a better world. For

youth is truly the hope of our future.