Empowering The Next Generation

Democracy is a universally recognized ideal and is one of the core values and doctrine of the United Nations (UN). Democracy fosters an environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights. Democracy over the years has taken on multiple manifestations. The meaning and expectation of democracy in the United States of America differs from the concept of democracy in China or Cuba. Undoubtedly, there can be no separation of democracy and human rights as both are intricately linked. It is critical that our young people are exposed to the principles of democracy both in theory and in practical steps as is done in Jamaica with the Youth Parliament. The National Youth Parliament is a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Houses of Parliament. The calls for the re-introduction of Civics to the national curriculum apparently have been answered as a number of educational institutions are offering the subject for the 2023/2024 academic year. Civic education facilities a strong sense of citizenship and allows for citizens' participation in governance. The skills associated with civic education ties in perfectly with The International Day of Democracy which is observed annually on September 15. This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world. The United Nations (UN) declares that The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We must be mindful that there are governments that run counter to democracy. The Youth As Custodians of Democracy. Young people are very much interested in democracy and governance. The responsibility to inform and equip the youth with the necessary skills is ours to acknowledge. One of the issues that we must address as adults is rooted in how we steer the youth in accessing relevant information in a world filled with alternative facts. The National Youth Parliament of Jamaica (NYPJ) was started in November 2003 as a non-partisan initiative aimed at providing youth from across Jamaica with a forum to express their views, network and debate issues of concern in the House of Representatives. The Parliament has traditionally been hosted as part of the slate of activities for National Youth Month celebrations in Jamaica. The NYPJ is structured to provide an opportunity for youth to deepen their understanding of parliamentary democracy, while developing skills in research, policy formulation and analysis, advocacy, public speaking and communication. According to the United Nations (UN), a well-educated and engaged electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial. Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come. The UN adds, the effects of the climate crisis on the physical environment are today impossible to ignore, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is a challenge to democracy: growing food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and extreme weather events are driving conflict and weighing on the minds of voters. Young people around the world have shown that they are extremely concerned about the climate crisis; in recent years hundreds of thousands of school age children, frustrated by the pace of negotiations to cut fossil fuel emissions, have taken part in large-scale marches, strikes, and protests. Calls for climate justice have also been a feature of these demonstrations: young people realize that they are likely to suffer the consequences of an increasingly unstable climate, caused by the activities of earlier generations. Right-Wing Populism. All across the globe there is a retreat of democracies and a resurgence of right-wing populism especially in Europe. The appeal of the right-wing ideology is rooted in the opposition to what is viewed as the ‘establishment’. Since the Great Recession, right-wing populist movements such as the National Rally (formerly the National Front) in France, the League in Italy, the Party for Freedom and the Forum for Democracy in the Netherlands and the UK Independence Party began to grow in popularity due to a large extent to their opposition to immigration from the Middle East and Africa. It is very obvious that more youth participation is needed in the global democratic movement to counter such threats. Unfortunately, many youths have no knowledge of the workings of the legislative function of Parliament. Jamaica is at a crossroads regarding the reform of its Constitution. As Jamaica continues on the path to becoming a Republic it is vital that the Constitutional Reform Committee engages the youth. Given that the 2023/2024 academic year is on in earnest now is the ideal time to engage the youth in the democratic process. Safeguarding Democracy. Democracy must be protected so too our institutions that safeguard our democratic principles. The world saw what happened in the United States of America in 2021. On the afternoon of January 6, a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters descended on the U.S. Capitol, in an attempt to interfere with the certification of electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election that Trump lost to Joe Biden. The rioters assaulted the Capitol police force and ransacked the complex, destroying property and sending members of Congress and their staff into hiding in offices and bunkers. Mr Trump, who was still president at the time, addressed a large crowd of supporters at a "Save America" rally near the White House. He urged them to march "peacefully" to the Capitol, but also made unsubstantiated claims of massive voter fraud and told them to "fight like hell". Some media outlets reported that the crowd numbered between 2,000 and 2,500 people. It contained members of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Many of the rioters carried weapons. Hundreds of people forced their way into the building through windows and doors, overwhelming the Capitol police. Vice President Mike Pence had to be rushed away and US lawmakers hid as rioters swarmed through the building, shouting death threats and forcing their way onto the floor of the Senate. The United States of America is often considered the bastion of democracy and yet this happened. It is very obvious that more youth participation is needed in the global democratic movement. Unfortunately, many youths have no knowledge of the workings of the legislative function of Parliament. Jamaica is at a crossroads regarding the reform of its Constitution. As Jamaica continues on the path to becoming a Republic it is vital that the Constitutional Reform Committee engages the youth. Given that the 2023/2024 academic year is on in earnest now is the ideal time to engage the youth in the democratic process. As the international community observes International Day of Democracy let us call on our governments to strengthen democratic institutions and root out all forms of corruption. Additionally, let us also encourage governments; especially those in the Caribbean to make accommodations for the youth to have a voice in national discourse surrounding democracy and democratic principles. We can all serve as guardians of democracy especially in societies with a high tolerance for corruption. Democracy works better when everyone has a voice. Happy International Day of Democracy. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalDemocracyDay