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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 January 2000 Issue No. 465
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Ready to lead
By Salama Ahmed Salama
Can the new generation, which will take charge of the country in the new century and address its inherited problems, be trusted with its security? How, for that matter, does this generation think? The generation of potential leaders, born in the '80s and just entering adulthood, seems very different in terms of interests, perspectives and dreams from the teachers, decision-makers and intellectuals who are at the helm today.
When the Ministry of Youth was established under Atef Ebeid, and eminent university professor Aliyeddin Hilal was appointed to head it, I imagined he would take prompt action to conduct a survey of 20-somethings, understand their views and problems, explore their awareness of their social conditions and gain some perspective on their aspirations for the future. I thought young people's opinions would help develop a realistic strategy that caters to the needs of a new era and a world different from that we knew -- a world the young generation will lead.
The prevailing idea about young people in their twenties is that they are unable to shoulder responsibility. Spoiled rotten by private lessons and doting parents, young people, especially those born into wealthy families, are used to getting things without effort: summer holidays at exclusive resorts, designer clothes, leisure, discos, and possibly drugs. A place at university, a lucrative private-sector job and, later, a suitable marriage in a luxurious apartment are all guaranteed. Apart from the easy life, the new generation is said to be focused on itself and unaware of the political, social or religious problems surrounding it.
On the other hand, the children of low-income families, after stretching the family budget to breaking point for years, graduate to face a labour market that has no place for them. They must look for a job, a plane ticket and a country that will take them in. Their hopes and aspirations crushed before they are formed, young people throw themselves into religion with zeal, searching for salvation or a short-cut to the top.
In either case, young people have few opportunities to participate in political and social life. If they do have the chance to do so, their opinions are rejected by the older generation. Any attempts to take responsibility for their lives and to make choices in school, university or even the club, are suspected, mocked or simply rejected by the older generation. The most they can hope for is to participate in or watch sports. This is the widest margin the state is willing to tolerate. Otherwise, no one wants to hear their views on social or global issues. The young generation is left no freedom to think, take decisions or plan its future.
No one can deny the role of the state in providing youth with economic housing and create new jobs, but this is not enough. There is still a chasm between a generation that has never been asked for its views and the political, social and economic reality largely controlled by a generation that will be dead in a few years.
This is the real problem with the state's youth policies, which speak on behalf of a group decision-makers do not know at all. Does the state's ignorance mean that there are no young people in Egypt involved with public issues and searching for solutions? The answer could come as a surprise to many, and deserves further discussion.
