E-Paper
UN’s International Year of Youth is on
The year aims to promote peace, respect for human rights
Delhi University's south campus played host to a launch event of the United Nation's International Year of Youth (IYY), being marked from August 12, 2010 to August 11, 2011.
At the DU event attended by students from the faculties of management studies, business economics and finance and control, Rajiv Chandran, national information officer, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan, urged students to think about how they can bring change. In a stirring speech, he said, "As a nation, we have to be strategic. We have to mark our goals and go after them. A changing globe demands a strategic response. We have to learn to be strategic. Unfortunately, Indians are after "the third fridge…farmhouse, the fourth wife, but where's the cutting edge?"
He added, "The International Year of Youth is a critical moment to introspect, raise questions. I urge each of you to think about what you can do to make a difference."
Earlier, representatives of the different faculties spoke about the need for budding managers to "contribute". Speaker Gagan Sharma, president of the MFC class, said, "As managers, we should provide ways … Can we feed the hungry? Can we come up with micro-insurance schemes? … Can we make wealth for society as well as make welfare for society?"
The UN wants youth and youth-focused organisations to start and participate in events marking the year, which its General Assembly proclaimed by adopting a resolution in 2009.
The UN has suggested a number of activities, such as talking to your neighbours to know their culture and religion, and meeting decision-makers. Organisers can post their events on the official calendar of the IYY. They can also use the official logo by requesting the UN. More details on social.un.org/youthyear.
