Yesterday the Prince's Trust published a new report stating that young people 'feel they have nothing to live for' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25559089
I do believe we all need to think creatively as to how we can reignite young people's passion, how we inspire them to want to change the world and the communities they live in. How can we come up with projects that will engage their enterprise and create opportunities that give them a sense of worth, hope and aspirations?
Wouldn't it be good if Rotary could develop a scheme that gave opportunities to young people finding it difficult to find employment or a role in life? The new Vocational Training Teams perhaps could be adapted to build a Youth Empowerment Scheme, that asked young people to apply to do humanitarian work possibly for six months or a year. A scheme that would be offered to young people perhaps who have served on a Prince's Trust Team experience and need to develop the skills they have learnt. Or it might be another similar Youth Experience, I saw a great programme developed by a Rotary Club called YES - Youth Empowerment Summit, not for the ones who are already empowered, but for those who need a greater encouragement.
YES! Promo 2014 from Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise on Vimeo.
It's time to stop talking and to take some action. As Rotary, can we not create Social Enterprises, Life Experiences, Community Development Projects, that create opportunities to get our young people dreaming and involved in building better futures for themselves and others.
This needs us all to think outside the box, so can we take ACTION?
Tim: VTT indeed has potential here. While we have all lamented the TRF-funded demise of GSE, we could start looking at VTT from a new perspective. Let's not wait for this to be initiated top-down, but start trying it now at the ground-level. How can we collaborate on a service to our younger members and communities? Emily
ReplyDeleteI agree, Group Study Exchanges were a very good programme, if Vocational Training Teams are to work and be programmes that deliver required outcomes it is important we are innovative with them as well as ensuring they meet need. It would be if our two Clubs could cooperate to develop a scheme that helped give young people back aspiration and hope. I welcome your ideas.
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