The first thing is to ask. Asking the question, listening to the answer and giving it value is wise. That’s why children ask why, and teens ask themselves how and when. They are both searching for answers, and they do well to question the first answer, the quick and beautiful but empty, perhaps because they know that some answers often discourage them from continuing to ask.
Before you act, suggest, promise, give or give up, you have to know. But I do not know that any of them asked them anything, and this leads to the fear that there will be more, as is the case until now, that is, answers to questions that no one asked, and this means more stagnation and stagnation. More despair.
Boys, teenagers and young people up to the age of 25 represent more than a third of Argentina’s total population, which is good news. In Argentina, there are more minors than retirees, which is good news too. It’s good news because it’s a sign that a country has a future, and it’s within reach. On the other hand, where the habitual people are the vast majority, and this is the reality of many countries and quite a few institutions, their days there are numbered.
Although they are the present and the future, and although they are the hope for long-awaited change, I do not remember them being asked what you want your world, your country, your environment, your city, your neighborhood, your school, your street, your yard, your house, your bed, and your stomach to be like. But I remember how they attacked them with beautiful music, with football matches, with blaring horns and raised flags, with teacher strikes, with pediatricians who did not exist, with the voice of someone speaking, screaming, shouting, and spitting for not listening.
The world knows many survey experiments, aimed especially at children and teenagers, to find out what they think about this or that, to find out what worries them, what improvements they want for the neighborhood, school, etc. That is, what they want politicians to do to them. If the answers are taken seriously, programs can be designed that benefit people on the points they complain about, rather than on the issues that concern politicians in power. They must keep in mind that the fact that they get a chair does not mean that they also get the wisdom and skills to do well what is required.
So you have to ask before you do. This goes beyond the political tone of the politician in power, and fulfills the politician’s basic obligation, which is to serve others. So the question is necessary. The results are surprising.
A few days ago, responses were released to the holistic consultation targeting boys and young people aged 10 to 25 from all over the world. Hence, the organizers are preparing for the Global Adolescent Forum 2023, which will be held on October 11 and 12, in person in Paris and online for everyone through this link, in Spanish: www.1point8b.org/es.
As of last month, they had collected just over a million responses, the vast majority of which came from low- and middle-income countries, including Argentina. It’s about freely answering this question: “To improve my well-being I want…”
The answers are then grouped into five topics: 1) Learning, competencies, education, skills and employability; 2) Safety and supportive environment; 3) Good health and good nutrition. 4) Communication, positive values and contribution to society; 5) Resilience (ability to adapt to adversity, shocks, tragedies, threats, etc.).
It is not surprising to note that nearly half of the responses refer to the first topic, which is education as a means of improving the present and looking forward to a better future. Thus we see that education is a priority for children and youth, and therefore, it should be a priority for politicians. Votes, ultimately, are a trust placed in the hands of the citizen, and he, as a politician, responds to that trust by doing what is necessary to do. In the case of children and adolescents, this is education and health, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
Argentine participation
While the voices of thousands of children and youth in India are demanding educational and health improvements through this macro survey, and many others in Africa are demanding much the same, there are very few voices in Latin America that have responded, although responses have been mixed. Accepted in all languages and from all countries.
Argentine participation was minimal, as if Argentine children and youth were interested in the present or the future. mistake. The most likely reason to justify the limited Argentine participation in this survey is that they did not find out, because no one told them anything. As if there is a will in power to keep them ignorant. Therefore, it seems clear that there was not (as was the case in other countries) the will to spread the initiative in youth circles throughout the country in order to gather the opinion of Argentine youth. This is negligence or incompetence, or more likely a will to not want to ask anything so as not to be forced to know, and then act accordingly.
I think there is still time to participate. And there will always be time to learn. Meanwhile, the World Adolescent Forum 2023 (www.1point8b.org/es) is finalizing its preparations. Among the powerful messages they addressed to children and young people, and therefore to the politicians who must bear responsibility for them, I highlight this one in particular: “Today, there are more young people in the world than ever before. However, many young people Today’s 1.8 billion people (ages 10 to 24) are not reaching their full potential because current policies and investments fail to meet their needs. “Youth for Change is a bold global movement that asks young people what they want for their health and well-being, and generates answers For decision makers to turn these answers into policies, investments and actions.”
More than a million responses, all from children and teenagers who demand serious and responsible answers because they see the present as dark and the near future even darker. The majority of responses come from young people between the ages of 16 and 20 years. In the Spanish version, all the answersIt can be viewed at this link. Answers can be filtered by topic, by country, by age or gender of the respondent. Know, of course, before you do.