7/28/2019 Youth Engagement With Politics

1/3

Youth engagement with politics.

Youth. The most important part of our society. Why? Because we

create the future. Because we are the future. We are the change.

Thats why its vital for every single country to have active and

intellectual youth.

But what about politics? Is it really necessary for youth to be

involved in politics? Well, youre deciding it in the end. But before

you do that, you should think really hard. There is a thick line of what

teenagers think theyre ready to do and what they can actually do.

Young people lack one of the most important skill that a real

politician needs , experience. There are only two qualities that

adolescents can show against lack of experience : new ideas (that

are needed to change old rules) and immense energy(although

sometimes even these two can do nothing against experience).

Politicians, who have already been in this dirty game for decades,

simply dont have enough energy to do things their experience tellsthem to do. They mostly have reached their goals in life and dont

need new activities in politics, they just dont care anymore.

Many people, and in this case I mean adults, underestimate the

power of youth. The majority of parents try to prevent their children

from entering that dirty business. Some people think that we dont

have enough experience and e.t.c. However, lets look what history

says about it.

1) Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orlans", is

a folk heroine of France and Roman Catholic Saint. She lead France

from one victory to another against England, in the Hundred Years

War, until burned alive.

2)David The Builder, king of Georgia, who became a king when

he was 16. He succeeded in driving the Seljuk Turks out of the

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seljuk_Turkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seljuk_Turks

7/28/2019 Youth Engagement With Politics

2/3

country, winning the major Battle of Didgori in 1121. His reforms of

the army and administration enabled him to reunite the country and

bring most of the lands of the Caucasus under Georgias control.

On the other hand, history gives us different examples:

1)Edward II, king of England. He was crowned when he was 23.

Between the strong reigns of his father Edward I and son Edward III,

the reign of Edward II was considered by some to be disastrous for

England, marked by alleged incompetence, political squabbling andmilitary defeats. His father handled many successful military

campaigns, which resulted in pacifying some parts of Whales and

Scotlands lowlands. But Edward II wasnt able to keep his fathers

legacy. Moreover, he had the conflicts with the nobles till the end of

his reign, which, obviously, hasnt done anything good to the

country.

2)Louis XV of France. He had to become the king at the age of

five, because all of other heirs of throne had died. Although he was

nicknamed Louis le Bien-Aim ( Louis the Well-Beloved), his reign led

to the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789.The marquis dArgenson

writes that at the council table Louis opened his mouth, said little

and thought not at all.

Despite everything that was written above, its important to let

youth do its thing. It does matter to give them a chance. But while

working out something important, its vital for them to have

someone experienced and trustworthy by their side.

What about decisions which arent very important? What

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Didgorihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_IIIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_IIIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Didgori

7/28/2019 Youth Engagement With Politics

3/3

about youth taking part in different political activities? Will it

actually cause any harm? No.

Here is an example : Young Students Organization Graali in

Georgia. YSO Graali is the affiliate organization of the National-

Democratic Party. YSO Graali unites both young politicians and

independent Students. The core values of the Institution are to

empower the civil activity, implement the democratic values, and

support the national traditions. Both YSO Graali & Young National

Democrats are involved in the project Democracy Starts with youorganized by the Conrad Adenauer Foundation. Within the IRI

support the Institution runs the project Democracy Discussions.

The participants of the project are Students, NGO representatives, as

well as young politicians. The main object of the foreign policy of YSO

Graali is to support the youth to be involved in the Euro-integration

process of Georgia. Graali offers many interesting activities for youth

to deepen their knowledge of current political and social situation in

the country. It gives us an opportunity to take part in finding the

solutions to existing problems in our country.

Activities offered by such organizations as Graali are the ones

which are very useful and encourage people from the young age to

understand that they are responsible for their country and they can

change it. This is exactly what we need.

In conclusion, Id like to say that no matter the age, if idea is

right, it should be accepted and giving youth a moment to feel and

act adult is one of those rare, important and right decisions made by

adults.