Practical reflections and suggestions of an experienced educator on the occasion of the International Youth Day (August 12).
“In a changing world, young people find themselves in a situation of fluidity and uncertainly, vulnerability and social unease, devoid of personal identity and experiencing exclusion. In such situations, every young person needs a person of reference—a significant other—in their lives. They look for one who can be close to them, credible, consistent and honest and able to enable, express empathy, offer support and encouragement, without being too judgmental.” (Saroj Mullick SDB, “The New Approach to Youth,” in Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, February 2018, page 105)
During this time of social-economic upheaval, when the young are under tremendous turmoil, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, has promulgated following four timely and valuable Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) to be accomplished by the Society of Jesus in their respective Jesuit Provinces under Province Apostolic Planning:
- Leading people to God;
- Walking with the poor;
- Accompanying the youth;
- Taking care of our common home.
Youth is an important part of the Church. Information technology has influenced the youth positively and negatively. Parents, teachers and guardians have a pivotal role to play in accompanying the youth in the changing times. Such accompaniment can be spelt out in the following ten guidelines.
What We Need to Do
- Talent Development: A Jesuit school selected a rural tribal boy who walked ten kilometres daily to school for a one-hundred-meter sprint. He outclassed his compatriots in all the events, and bagged a gold medal. He maintained his speed and stamina till his college studies. Later, the Border Security Force recruited him to serve the country. In our schools and parishes, we have no dearth of talented boys and girls. We have only to be innovative to spot their latent talents in academics and extracurricular activities by giving them opportunities and promoting them in the early stages of youth.
2. Extra-curricular Activities: At the opening ceremony of the MP Province Assembly, the school band of Xavier English medium school, Pathalgaon, Chhattisgarh, performed a mesmerizing march past. What attracted the audience most was the astounding confidence of the students. It was still incredible to observe a village tribal girl, daughter of a cook, leading the whole band-group with absolute confidence. Besides having a proper syllabus, a schools needs to empower students in all the fields through extracurricular activities.
Alexander Ekka SJ
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