Community Voices:
Future Voices
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Community Voices: Future Voices |
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Children around the world are getting involved in the issues that affect them and their future well-being. David Pine, the Executive Director of the Foundation for the Future of Youth says, "kids these days are concerned about several issues from the health of the planet to economic issues but they are especially concerned about their welfare and what will become of their future." The foundation's main goal is to help young people develop their own vision for the future and ways to realize it. For example, the foundation is currently working on a project to help kids run cybercafés in developing countries by supplying them with equipment and training. "These children see no limits to what they can do," says Pine. "These kids are committed. When you look at the big picture you see how slow things are changing but when you get down to the community level where the children are involved, you really get to see major developments." Children are not only concerned about things at the neighbourhood level but they are also voicing their concerns at community and national levels. The community in Anoka, Minnesota has gone one step further by involving their children in community development. Children have been part of project design for a number of issues, from water quality to crime and economic concerns. They have also formed their own committees that are part of the main community council and their participation is not only encouraged but also appreciated by the local people. UNICEF and other organizations are encouraging similar projects where children can play a valuable and lasting role in their community's development. A book published by UNICEF called Children's Participation focuses on different theories on how children can participate and learn to be better citizens by contributing their ideas and skills in different areas. Children are also taking on the challenge of political issues. Look at Craig Kielburger, who at the age of 12 with a group of his classmates founded the Toronto-based organization, Free the Children, to highlight the injustices faced by children around the world. Now with chapters in several countries and thousands of members between the ages of 8 and 16, this organization raises money to help abused and exploited children worldwide and carries the message that children should have a voice in decision-making. And the efforts of organizations like Free the Children are beginning to be seen. For example, in the Philippines, 44 children took their concerns about environmental degradation to the Supreme Court. Dr. Albert Bartlett of the University of Colorado reported that the court's decision held that minors have the "standing to represent their own and future generations under the doctrine of intergenerational equity." This decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences even in other countries. [children working for a better future]
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