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The last hope of the clueless are the young people of today. Many elderly expect young people to correct what the older generation apparently screwed up, in respect to climate change, social justice, international relations and more. The UN and UNICEF will guide young people, give them space and listen to them in national consultations and international meetings.
Someone said that inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell has happened. We sang Let's Give Peace a Chance. We had socialist leanings. We were hippies. We occupied vacant houses. We had our battles with the police, protested against nuclear energy and wore the Palestinian keffiyeh. And if we didn't, we admired those who did. We were anti-establishment, challenged gender roles, old traditions and demanded international solidarity. Many of our ideas were good, others would - in hindsight - require some calibration.We were the Youth of Yesterday.
Did it work? Has there been change? Yes, it has, although not everywhere. Peace is still not in sight. But by and large, things have changed for the better. For fifty years, youth movements have brought about more change than the entire UN and the development industry combined. Many societies have become more tolerant, more inclusive and more aware of the challenges of the future. With some notable exceptions, there is more respect between generations, across cultures and nations.
How did we do it? It's hard to say. But the last thing we needed was some old geezer from the government or the UN telling us what to protest for and against. Or being invited to their meetings.
It is the prerogative of the youth to challenge the status quo, not to doctor it. It is irrational to hope that youth will - on our terms(!) - correct and fix what we have messed up. We cannot and should not try to instrumentalize the energy of the youth – many unsavoury regimes have already tried this, thankfully without much success. There is no need for UN officials to curry favour with a handful of privileged young people.
We are the Youth of Yesterday. Let’s have some youthful thoughts.
Detlef Palm is the Founder, Secretary General, Managing Director, CEO and President of the Palmtrees for Peace Foundation, which promotes sustainable peace and global justice (for really everyone!).
As David Bowie aptly put it: "These children that you spit on, as they try to change their world, are immune to your consultations, they are quite aware what they're goin' through" (Changes)
ReplyDeleteIt is always a joy and a lesson to be read a column from your pen. We are momentarily drowning in coverage of the UN General Assembly by and/or about current or former high ranking UN officials. Many are old friends for whom I have the highest regard and affection. But I cannot help but think along the line of Detlef. With some notable exceptions, the GA and its side events are preaching to the already converted by people in their majority in their late thirties upwards. WHO (the band, not the organization) used to express the hope that we would die before we got old. Now those of them still alive are performing well into their 80s. That’s kind of sad - they have nothing new to say but there are plenty of others and younger to lift their torch. Where do young people today fight for their agendas with their hopes and dreams. I am afraid it is not in New York and the UN. I hope I am wrong.
ReplyDeleteThat is one giant joint
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