It is a fact of life that youths are successors and the ones that shape the fate of the country. They have unshakable role in parrying the social challenges of the country. They have an untapped potential to troubleshoot social problems besetting a nation.
Youths are capable to do any duty that benefits the country. They as well are capable to contribute their own feedbacks for the betterment of the socio-economic endeavors of the country.
Youngsters are capable to ensure peace, stability and the prosperity of the country.
Youths can do anything for the tranquility of the globe in various aspects to effect paradigm shift of the country for the common good of the people of the country. Youths are peace-makers, catalysts and role models. They could also be taken as exemplary for the future of Ethiopia.
In this regard, International Youth Fellowship seems to proceed forward to address skewed mentalities of Ethiopian youths. The Fellowship’s programs are trying to change the mentality and attitudinal outlook of youths for the turning point of the social problems of the country.
As youths are standard-bearers of children, positive and undeniable influences are expected from youths to paradigm shifts of socio-economic and political reform in the country.
In this regard, The Ethiopian Herald has just approached Dr. Cho Sung Hwa the chairman of International Youth Fellowship in Ethiopia. He is also in charge of mind education in Ethiopia and committee of International Mind Education Institute.
And also he is principal of Mahanaim International high school and Principal Lincoln high school. Cho Sung Hwa, a board member of Mind-set education, is in charge of Mind-set education in Ethiopia at national level. He discusses with The Ethiopian Herald to discuss on the executive of International Youth Fellowship (IYF).
Herald: What sort of activities does the organization do for the empowerment of Ethiopia’s youths?
Cho: We are currently giving mind-set education in universities and high schools in Ethiopia. We have also done several lectures on Plasma TV, to reach students in different states.
We also have experience in giving volunteer training to 1,000 Mekelle University students who served during the 9th All Africa University Games that was held in Mekelle. We want to make all these trainings official by building a center here.
Herald: Does the organization have a program of people-to-people connectivity of world society? If so, could you brief us about that?
Cho: Yes, we are connected with young people from around 100 countries across the globe. Our organization holds World Culture Camp every year in Korea. Nearly 3,000 students and youth leaders participate in it.
The camp focuses on training youths to have strong hearts through leadership training and to inspire the youth and provide opportunities to develop a challenging spirit, self-discipline, and critical thinking.
The camp is not only held in Korea but in various countries in Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia with the support of the local governments. In 2015, International Youth Fellowship World Culture Camp was held in 25 countries.
We also have a volunteer program called GNC where around 300 students are sent to various countries for a year- long volunteer service.
Herald: Is there any task in mobilizing the youth of Africa in keeping tranquility and in ensuring economic empowerment program?
Cho: Our biggest task in mobilizing the youth is training them to develop a right mind-set that can change their way of thinking.
Like I said earlier, we dispatch 400-600 volunteers to 84 countries every year.
College students spend a year with the local people, learning the mottos of International Youth Fellowship: Challenge, Change and Cohesion. They also act as civilian diplomats, introducing the background of economic development of Korea.
Herald: What do you think about the solutions for the alleviation of poverty and prosperity here in the country regarding youth involvement?
Cho: For alleviation of poverty, there has to be change and reform of young people’s consciousness. Youths need to change their minds through mind-set education because youths are the pillars and hopes of the nation.
Therefore, unless the consciousness’s of youths change, the society cannot change as well. That is how development begins.
Herald: Tell us about the role of the organization on the youth campaigning on climate change and social welfare program?
Cho: When we sponsored the 9th All Africa University games in Mekelle, the first campaign we did with university students was cleaning campaign with a motto, “It’s my Ethiopia.”
The university students went all around the city picking up trashes and cleaning the road. We wanted to instill in their mind that climate changes from small effort and it is their role to do it. Like the motto of the campaign, It’s MY Ethiopia. Ethiopia should be mine to clean it.
Herald: Do you think the organization is doing its level best towards the capacity building of youths and other group segment of Ethiopia?
Cho: International Youth Fellowship focuses on Mind-set education. Ethiopia has all the capability to grow economically. Ethiopia has good land, minerals and great population. Meaning, it is in a best condition to grow. But if the youth don’t have the right mind-set, the challenge will prevent the country from growing.
This is when the International Youth Fellowship comes in. It changes the mind-set. Not only that, we also teach various skills through our academy program. We are trying our best for the growth of Ethiopia. Like I said, every change begins from the mind.
Herald: What envisions the organization have to prosper economically and to change for the better the mindset of Ethiopian youths?
Cho: Economic changes do not come first but the mind-set. If the mind changes, economic growth is automatic. For your life to be experience a change for good you need to grow economically but I believe it is the role of the nation first to make a move.
Herald: Are there any activities of the organization done in the program of socioeconomic as well as political independence of the Africa youths?
Cho: More than political independence, International Youth Fellowship is always neutral. We teach the youth that power does not come first but the responsibility.
You have to be a responsible person before you practice your power. Moreover, we teach the youth to serve others before oneself and we teach them self-control. Economic growth should come with self-control.
Herald: Is there any particularly platform adjusting to exchange ideas, human capital, technology transfer and knowledge among the world youth?
Cho: Yes, we have a volunteer service program that aims to guide young people as they transition from collegiate settings to the real world, where their choices have greater potential to ignite change and positively affect those around them. We also hold Leaders’ Conference where University leaders gather together to brainstorm on the problems in Africa and find a resolution. They select a certain country in Africa and hold a short-term project. It becomes their greatest experience to transcend the world.
Herald: Does the organization engage on women empowerment and encourage the women to be competitive on the political power here in this country?
Cho: I espouse women’s and children’s rights, women’s social participation and women’s various political competitions. I see Ethiopia is encouraging woman to participate in various fields which is really good example to other countries as well.
Herald: At last, you are welcome to convey your message?
Cho: Ethiopia has all the best conditions to develop. I hope all the people will unite as a nation and if the mind-set of the youth can change, I believe Ethiopia will be the best country in Africa. Therefore, International Youth Fellowship is preparing to provide mind education nationwide for consciousness and mind-set reform of young people and citizens.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 26 January 2020
BY MEHARI BEYENE
