Young people have enormous power to shape better world, Migiro tells students
I absolutely love the section from the text by Paul Kivel entitled "Alliance: What do young people need from us?" This list of twelve items really speaks to the ways that we (as adults) can be trusted allies with the youth in our lives. Whether it be our own children, our children's friends, young people we work with in a counseling setting, family members, or even youth we don't know personally, as adults, we hold more power and influence than we can imagine. Kivel's idea of shifting our emphasis from raising self-esteem to increasing power is profound. Speaking to this idea is an article on the UN News Centre website written about a speech that Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General, gave at the University of Missouri. It is my opinion that through her remarks she provides excellent examples to what Kivel speaks about in his list of ways that we can be trusted allies of today's youth. She demonstrates her role as an ally as she speaks the truth regarding power, promotes true history, discusses openly the mistakes that adults have made, invites youth to partner with adults in forging positive changes for the future, trusts them to be powerful, and celebrates their successes.
Here is the link to the article: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40284&Cr=youth&Cr1=
I thought this speech provided a positive and powerful message to today's youth. I'd love your thoughts...
I really enjoyed reading this article, and I think it ties in perfectly with the readings. I especially liked how she discussed the activism that young people are participating in, such as in Africa. It's refreshing to have this participation acknowledged, especially to have age recognition. What Ms. Migiro speaks to is entirely relevant and influential to us as future social workers because it encourages us to recognize differences and strengths.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed reading this article. I really don't pay attention to how much power young people have in this world. Our future depends on them as well as vice versa. One day we are going to need the people who are under us to make political, financial, and social decisions for us. It's hard for us, as adults, to share the power that we have with young people because of the unknown adultism that exist. How do we come to an agreement and share our power with young people? Or is that not even necessary?
ReplyDeleteHI Julie, testing comments
ReplyDelete