Youth leaders encouraged to be active role models

The Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero at the official launch of the National Preparatory Committee of Namibia World Festival of Youth and Students this week, reprimanded the youth, especially those in leadership positions of being dormant.

The World Festival of Youth and Students is an international event, organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), jointly with the International Union of Students since 1947 and will be held in Sochi from 14 to 22 October.

As the keynote speaker she said that the youth must be in the forefront of what is happening in the country and their voice must be heard.

“There are bills that are being tabled in Parliament but we do not get input from the youth, what are you views, I am really disappointed with you,” she reiterated.

The deputy minister then encouraged the youth to attend the Festival and come back and make a difference in the country.

Mr Alexey Saltykov, Russia’s Deputy Head of Mission in Namibia ssaid that the World Festival of Youth and Students will be the largest event in the field of international youth cooperation and will bring together more than 20 000 of young people from 150 counties around the world.

“This is a platform for dialogue, global form of communication, through discussions, cultural programs, sports, through free communication to find ways to confront the challenges that the younger generation is facing today,” he added.

He said that the festival will unite the community of young leaders in various fields from representative of NGO’s, youth who achieved success in science, arts, sports, pedagogy, IT politics, and best representatives of the student community, compatriots and foreigners who are interested in the Russian culture.