Future Builders

Guyana’s greatest resource is its people. The country’s long-term progress depends on sustained investment in its human capital and a deliberate commitment to improving the standard of living for all citizens. This requires increased socio-economic investments in projects that enhance livelihoods, expand opportunities, and enable individuals and families to create and accumulate wealth over the next decade and beyond.
To achieve these objectives, the Government must develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to address the social challenges that undermine life expectancy, public health, productivity, happiness, and public safety. Such a strategy should prioritise education, healthcare, employment, social protection, and community development while fostering collaboration across the public and private sectors.
Equally important is meaningful engagement with key stakeholders at the local, regional, and international levels to cultivate a new culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity among young people. By encouraging the development of creative industries, emerging technologies, and other knowledge-based sectors, Guyana can empower its youth to become active contributors to the country’s economic transformation.
Young people must also be inspired to recognise their role in shaping the future. They should be encouraged to establish clear goals, uphold high standards, and pursue innovative ideas that respond to an evolving global landscape. By investing in their talents and equipping them with the skills and opportunities to succeed, Guyana can build a more prosperous, resilient, and inclusive society for generations to come.
In short, young people must also be indoctrinated in the art of philosophy and the science of ethics and acceptable conduct so that they can easily appreciate the notions of equity, social justice, and fairness. They must be properly schooled by their superiors – who are leaders in our society today, including their parents, teachers, and community elders – to stand against all forms of non-discrimination, racism, and gender victimisation.
As of late, there has been a stark increase in the levels of youth crime in our society, and from all indications, this is likely to continue until our society unites to solve the problem.
Too often, teenage offenders are written off at a young age, regardless of hard circumstances or minor offences. In spite of progress in developing opportunities for young people over the past 51 years, we hope more focus will be placed on preventing youth crime, as it has the potential to affect our country’s trajectory.
Even in the Guyana of old, when it was acknowledged that a stronger support system fostered respect for self and others at school, in the home, and at church, there were a few who strayed into deviant behaviours.
Exposure to violence and sexual deviance poses a huge threat to young people’s lives and moral make-up. It is widely acknowledged that the tree should be bent while young. If poor training is not arrested in its tracks at a tender age, it can spiral out of control and result in serious crimes that affect the whole country. And we, as a society, can no longer afford to turn a blind eye, harping on the fact that “something must be done”, but not being willing to do the work, help mentor a young person, or press the political class to enact crucial policies to change the tide.
Over the years, studies have shown that when mentors are actively engaged in a child’s life, one can see a reduction, but not complete elimination, of delinquent behaviours, less drug and alcohol usage, and improved academic performances by children.
With more mentoring and positive, wholesome interactions in Guyana between young peers and adults, we are certain that the tide can be turned in favour of having fewer violent, deviant, at-risk youths.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more we can instil positive behaviours and thinking into our youths, the greater results we will have in producing not only functional, law-abiding citizens but also tapping into the skills and talents they have to further our country’s growth.