The youth of a nation are the backbone and the most powerful force within the nation. They are the hope of the future and can shape the destiny of a country. History shows that countries subjected to alien rule have without exception sought the help of youth in times of crisis. The youth have also been instrumental in the change of governments, whenever need for such a change has been felt.
They have always been in the forefront in the building of political, social and economic orders of a society. They play a positive role for the cause of a nation and national integration. Youth is not only the vital source of state but also a change agent. They are the evolver of social, economic, political and cultural transformation and the driving force for change.
The youths play a vital role in the constructive process of building social cohesion, economic prosperity and political stability in a nation in an inclusive and democratic way. The involvement of youths in the nation building process is a must as they play one of the most important roles. Hence, youths are ultimately the social actors of change and process.
Today‘s generation faces greater challenges in national building due to the force and pressure of internal politics and external conflicts. The youth act as a catalyst in an already vibrant country aspiring to find its rightful place in the world politics and play a more effective role of a true leader.
Yet, can contribute all these if they are lucky enough to live in a stable manner in their own country. Otherwise, especially in the past they used to face many problems at home and are forced to leave their countries of origin.
Young people migrate for a plethora of reasons. The decision to migrate is often related to important life transitions, such as obtaining higher education, finding and starting work, or getting married. With some 71 million youth unemployed globally in 2016 the search for work continues to be significant driver of youth migration in both developed and developing countries.
Many youths also choose or are forced to migrate to escape poverty, violence, conflict, or are displaced due the effects of war or climate change. As such, youth are heavily represented in migration for humanitarian reasons, including as refugees, asylum-seekers and as unaccompanied minors.
As a result, the good potential of the youth and their economic and social value would be exploited by the country of the destination while their country of origin suffers their absence. Fortunately, governments these days can pave the way for youth to contribute what they can to their nation. Ethiopia has also established an agency to make the best use of its diaspora population. Recently also the agency has held the first-of-its-kind online discussion with the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency and FDRE missions to discuss the current situation in the country. The discussion focused the contribution of youth in the diaspora.
Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was the guest of honor at the forum, said Ethiopia is undergoing all-encompassing change. He said Ethiopia is moving forward despite the challenges ahead, adding that the challenges are further strengthening the unity of the people. He said the increase in the number of challengers requires Ethiopia to coordinate all its efforts, adding that this generation is at a time when its fathers are making history.
He said free and inclusive elections, which will play an important role in the country’s history, and the second round of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be held in this regard. He urged the missions and all concerned parties to work together to ensure that the difficult times are successfully overcome.
Welcoming the participants, Director-General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, W/ro Selamwit Dawit, on her part thanked the Diaspora for mobilizing huge amounts of resources to support national projects and calls. In the field of public diplomacy, the Diaspora has been staging large-scale protests, Twitter campaigns and propaganda campaigns against those who seek to tarnish Ethiopia’s image and exert undue pressure on them, he said. She also called on all stakeholders to contribute their share to strengthen public diplomacy and other related activities with the participation of the Diaspora.
Honorable Ambassadors, who were presented as panelists at the forum, also spoke about the activities being carried out by the missions they are coordinating to prevent undue pressure on Ethiopia. The ambassadors also said that they should use their close proximity and social ties with the young diaspora to explain the truth of Ethiopia and make more Ethiopian friends in each country and work closely with the media, adding that the missions they lead are ready to provide the necessary support. He said it is possible to achieve results and change difficult situations through cooperation and reading.
The Diaspora youths, for their part, expressed their support for the ongoing public diplomacy in their area, saying they need to strengthen their organizations and work out in the future, focus on nation building and work with knowledge and rationality, not emotionally, and are ready to do whatever Ethiopia wants from them. At the end of the forum, the Director General commended the youths for their initiative to work together in the affairs of their country.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald June 15/2021
