Blake, left, and TuftonDamion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
THERE IS an increasing number of young persons between ages 15 and 24, whose activities cannot be accounted for by the education system, church, community/government organisations, youth groups, the workforce or any other body, according to Ohene Blake, executive director of the National Centre for Youth Development.
At the same time, he said a significant number of persons in the same age group have been participating very little in established formal organisations.
"The figures tell us that there is a large number of persons who exist on the fringe of our society," said Mr. Blake.
He was one of nine participants at a Gleaner Editors' Forum on Friday at the company's North Street offices in downtown Kingston.
According to him between 120,000 and 150,000 youths were among the group unaccounted for by society, making it extremely difficult to impart to them important values which would help in the re-development of the country.
SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT
"When you have such a phenomenon you reap the sort of social maladjustment that we have now, for example sexual behaviour and their (some youths') appetitite for risk... and in particular, their involvement in violent behaviour," he noted.
Mr. Blake said while the majority of 'non-contributors' to development were from the poorer communities, a significant number have also emerged from the upper echelons of society.
But according to Dr. Chistopher Tufton, president of Generation 2000 (G2K), the young professional arm of the Jamaica Labour Party, the failure of the current generation to provide proper leadership has contributed to young people's disinterest in national development.
"It is one thing to send a message to young persons by drafting them into a training facility when on the other side of the coin they hear of corruption in very high places," he said, pointing the need for transparency, accountability and effective political representation.
POLITICIANS
Arnoldo Brown, of the People's National Party Youth Organisa-tion (PNPYO), agreed: "If young persons looking on recognise that politicians are of integrity, that they are consistent, that there is equity, fairness and fair play it will encourage them to be a part of the process," he said.
Meanwhile, Andrew O'Kola president of the PNPYO, said while his organisation was responsible for advocating on behalf of the youths, previous consultations with youth groups were on the basis of political interest.
However, he said, there was now a refocus to garner information that would help to guide national policies and programmes to benefit the youth.
