Paul McFarlane is the Jamaican youth delegate at this Year’s UNESCO Youth Forum. “I’m a full time medical student and part time marketing manager of an NGO called Junior Achievement.” He says, while introducing himself.
Paul expects the 7th
UNESCO youth forum to be very phenomenon. “When I spoke with the Jamaican youth
delegate of the 6th forum, she explained to me how much she was able
to incorporate what she learnt into her work in youth development. And being in
dialogue with other youth delegates in the online youth forum UNESCO set up
before the main forum, it was helpful in getting me energized to participate in
the discussion.” He says.
Adding that the key
issues being discussed- youth in political and public
life; countering youth exclusion, vulnerability and violence; and breaking
through employment barriers- are
relevant to realities in Jamaica. “It is very important we as Jamaicans explore
additional ways that we can use to solve problems that exist in our country.”
Like some of the delegates,
if not all, Paul is very optimistic that his expectations will be met during
the forum. “I hope to take back a lot to my country and contribute a lot to the
forum.” He says.
“I’m interested in
youth being involved in political life- people say youths are the future but I believe
youth are part of population now. It is important for them to be active in
political life now and get involved in decisions that affect the lives of
everybody.”
Paul says that young
people cannot drive change if they are relegated to the background and not
included in decision-making process. “They should be part of the process
because decisions that are made for 50 years old affect 15 years old. Therefore
youth should be involved with the process.” He says.
According to him, in Jamaica
young people are active to some extent. But they are limited to being members on
committees and boards but not from the perspective of actively being involved
in the legislative process. There is a need for more work to be done. “There is
much more to be done in terms of developing legislative framework for youth
development.”
Despite the challenges
facing an average Jamaican youth and youth all over the world, Paul says change
is possible. But youth must not wait for it; they have to be actively involved
in the process. In his words, “Don’t wait for things to be done for you. Do it
yourself. If you wait for things to be done for you by people we regard as the “authorities”
it is either not going to be done in the time it should be done or in the way
that is best suiting for youth development and wider development of country at
large. Don’t wait for government, teachers or banks to grant you loan to start
your business, you have to start creating that force of change yourself by
using creative means, by being innovative and by taking charge.”
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