Today’s youth are often characterized as being aware, assertive and aggressive. These characteristics come in handy when you and other young people take on your different roles in society.
Among your roles in society are the following: with regard to your family, you are either son or daughter, brother or sister; in school, you are a student; and in relation to society, a young citizen.
In all your roles, you are expected to perform certain duties. As an older brother or sister, for example, you have to look after your younger siblings; as a student, you have to help your classmates who have some difficulty in your lessons; and as a young citizen, you have to participate in community activities.
You may not be aware of it, but by performing your various roles, you help uphold, promote and broaden other people’s awareness of human rights. When you see to it that your little sister drinks her milk, you uphold her right to adequate food and to health.
When you grant your younger brothers’ request to accompany him to the play-ground, you uphold his right to play and leisure. By accompanying him to the playground, you are able to tell other people without having to utter a word that children do need to be given time to play.
When you do not open a letter addressed to your classmate, you uphold his or her right to privacy. When you let your classmate freely express his views regarding certain issues and give him the opportunity to defend in such views, you uphold his right to expression. By letting him do so, you also encourage him and your other classmates as well to uphold everyone’s right to express opinions.
When you take part in community activities such as setting up and maintaining a community library, you uphold other community members’ right to have access to information. When you participate in a cleanliness campaign, you uphold other peoples’ right to a clean and safe environment.
When you support the government’s anti-drug abuse campaign, you not only uphold the right of children to be protected from drugs, but also encourage the government to continue implementing the project and come up with other worthwhile projects.
You being aware, assertive and aggressive can help you bring about meaningful changes in society. Beware of human rights norms and practices, be assertive of your rights and inspire others to do the same, and be aggressive in promoting and upholding human rights.
When it seems like nobody ever notices the things you do, just keep on. Think of the possibilities if what you do at home, in school and in your community could somehow get noticed and be replicated in every home, school or community.
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