Nation»
Experts decry exploitation
- Call for steps to control brain drain
KATHMANDU, AUG 12 -
As the country was celebrating the tenth International Youth Day with much fanfare, 900 youths were leaving the country in search of study and employment opportunities, according to Nepal Tourism Board statistics of 2009.
Speaking at different functions to mark the Day, experts and officials said political parties’ “exploitation” of youths to achieve their political goals has led to increasing flight of youths to greener pastures abroad.
Speaking at a function organised by RILEC, Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana, secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said national level participation of youths has largely been confined to protests and demonstrations so far.
“Active participation of youths in innovative and creative actions is necessary to build up the nation”, he said. “It is the responsibility of the state to create a youth-friendly milieu.” Although the government had formulated the National Youth Policy last year to ensure youths’ rights, it has failed to yield the desired fruits due to lack of implementation.
“Forming laws are of no use until we create ample employment opportunities for youths in the country itself,” said Rana.
Poshan KC, general secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) stressed the need for generating employment opportunities to channelise the youth in a productive manner.
Experts also said existing definition of youth as persons belonging to 15-40 age group should be redefined. According to this definition, the country’s youth population crosses ten millions, said Kabindra Burlakoti, one of the UN advisory panelists.
“The age group needs to be redefined,” he said, adding, “Individuals of 15-25 age group should be categorised as youths.”
Journalist Prateek Pradhan said youths need to learn their responsibilities to the nation before they ask for their rights. “Proper civic sense needs to be developed,” he said. “Most of the times youths are found violating civic principles like traffic rules and regulations.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations in Nepal launched International Year of Youth in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Addressing the programme, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the UN initiatives to mark the year of youth would pave the way for the formulation of policies and plans to cater to the youth’s needs.
“The government is working to prepare a youth-friendly budget to respond to the problems of the youth,” said Nepal.
Robert Piper, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, expressed concern over the use of Nepali youths to create political violence in the country. “In schools and campuses youths are being used as the ‘shock-troops’ of political conflict, too often leading to violent confrontation. Nepal must urgently create more jobs and opportunities for its youth at home,” said Piper.
At the function, 1974 AD, a musical band, performed a song dedicating to the youths whereas youths from Disabled Human Rights Committee presented a stage drama focusing on youths’ problems.
Similarly, Climate Himalaya along with ICIMOD and Asia Pacific Mountain Network organised an interaction on ‘Youth Engagement on Climate Change: Nepalese Perspective’.
Speaking at the programme, Ganesh Shah, former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology said, despite being a poor country vulnerable to climate change impacts, there is ample opportunity for green economy in the country.
Posted on: 2010-08-13 07:39
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