OPINION: A brighter future for our youth: A Bahá’í Perspective
"National Youth Day, we celebrated on 16 June, was a reminder that it is within the power of the young people to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming decades."
Our youth are full of energy and enthusiasm. They are flexible and can easily change their ways to adapt to changing times. Our youth yearn for a world without war and they have the potential to channel their energy, capacities and talents towards building peaceful societies and the advancement of civilization.
National Youth Day, which we celebrated on 16 June, was a reminder that it is within the power of young people to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming decades.
We need to have confidence that our children and youth have great potential and capacities and to help them develop and enhance those capacities.
Bahá’u’lláh, the religious figure, compared human beings to a mine containing many hidden jewels, waiting to be discovered.
He says: “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom”.
Education should, therefore, enhance the innate capacities of our youth, rather than considering them as empty vessels that need to be filled with information and instructions. It should aim at discovery and perfection of their God given talents and capacities and to enable them to serve the best interests of humanity.
If our vision is to create societies in which people of different backgrounds and classes can live in unity and peace and enjoy mutual prosperity, then we must consider what kinds of educational processes can support such a vision.
For this to become a reality, the educational programmes and activities we provide for our children and youth should be free of all forms of prejudice whether religious, national, racial, cultural, gender based, of class or creed or ethnic background. Such programmes and activities should nurture in our children and youth an appreciation for the richness of the world’s diverse cultural, religious and social systems and encourage unity in diversity.
If education is to contribute to both individual growth and to the transformation of society, it should aim at cultivating mutual tolerance, love, brotherhood, compassion, understanding, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for different ethical values.
Encouraging youth to independently search for truth will lead them to personal conviction, rather than merely imitating others, and will help free themselves from prejudices and preconceptions. Importantly, they will also be empowered to take charge of their own spiritual, social and intellectual development.
In a world where youth are increasingly left without moral guidance, where the distinction between right and wrong is being lost, spiritual education, in addition to intellectual education, can guide them to acquire an upright character, and to contribute towards the construction of progressive and peaceful societies.
For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083-794-0819
Website: www.bahai.org
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