Invest in our Youth – Basil Springer Column (May7, 2023)
Dr. Basil Springer GCM
| “A component of stewardship, and getting serious about finances, is managing money wisely so that we can invest in the future of our children. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” – Proverbs 13:22 Investing in our youth is an investment in the future of our nations, it is analogous to how honey bees take care of their young for the well-being and success of their communities. It is about unlocking that human potential as we arrive on earth as spiritual beings attempting to master an earthly experience, which embodies development in the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, financial and business aspects. Our parents, our leaders and our peers all help to contribute to our development. A common element to foster this development is access to money and in this context the above biblical quotation is relevant. In the Caribbean, the role of mothers in nurturing the next generation cannot be overstated. As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, it is crucial to recognize the significant impact mothers have in shaping the future of our youth. They are the first teachers, the caregivers, and the guiding lights that instill values, provide support, and create a nurturing environment for our children. A positive and visionary leader can inspire and motivate the youth of a nation to achieve greatness. We are fortunate to witness such leadership in the current President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo. Her commitment to fostering national unity and uplifting the younger generation is commendable. By prioritizing the needs and aspirations of young people, the president has created an environment where their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed. Through education reforms, skills development initiatives, and opportunities for youth entrepreneurship, she has shown a strong commitment to investing in the future of Trinidad and Tobago. King Charles III has been crowned. On the eve of King Charles’s coronation, indigenous leaders from around the globe have called on the British monarch to apologize and make amends for what they call ‘genocide’. A joint letter published on Friday by 12 Indigenous advocacy groups in former British colonies demanded the new king “acknowledge the horrific impacts on and legacy of genocide and colonization of the Indigenous and enslaved peoples of Antigua and Barbuda, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines”. Address your responsibility for reparations. Service clubs play a crucial role in fostering a culture of giving and volunteerism among the youth. By engaging young people in community service activities from an early age, these clubs help instill values of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility. In the Rotary fraternity, the spirit of giving is encouraged from as early as five years old with the Early Act clubs and Interact clubs at secondary schools. Through various initiatives such as mentorship programs, environmental projects, and charitable fundraisers, young individuals learn the importance of giving back and making a difference in the lives of others. By investing in service clubs and expanding their reach, we can shape a generation that values community and actively contributes to its betterment. Startups are the lifeblood of any thriving economy. They are the drivers of innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Investing in startups not only fuels economic development but also nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth. Unfortunately, the early demise of startup operations is much too high. By providing support in the form of funding, mentorship, and business development resources, we can empower young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The government, private sector, and experienced professionals must collaborate to create an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, encourages partnerships, and guides startups towards sustainable growth. Let us seize these opportunities and create a brighter tomorrow for our youth and our Caribbean region as a whole. |
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Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is [email protected]. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com/basil-springer-column/ and on www.facebook.com/basilgf
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Youth is the one thing that never comes back, if we miss it we won’t have the opportunity to do it again, so this statement is correct.