Complacent youth ignorant of hard realities
- Source: Global Times
- [23:02 November 22 2009]
- Comments
However, they don't know about deeper issues, such as development models, politics, and the challenges other countries face, because those aren't sexy issues in the media.
Meanwhile, as a generation that has enjoyed the benefits of China's rapid economic growth and material wealth, the Chinese youth are being taught to seek personal success. But they seldom have the chance to know the realities of their own countries, such as issues like rural poverty.
The closest they can get to rural China is probably an autumn fruit-picking trip. I am not here to criticize the “ignorant youth,” as I was once ignorant and naïve myself, and possibly continue to be so.
What I am trying to do here is to look at these two cases, and try to figure out what our society can do for our younger generation. In the US, for example, there are organizations such as the Peace Corps, which brings young people from all over the US to different parts of the world to do good and broaden their understanding.
Meanwhile, in many other countries, there are also many community-based possibilities for young people to be volunteers, not just for the Olympics or the World Expo, but for causes, such as urban crime, poverty, illiteracy and so on. We need all of these for young people in China.
As China is rising, its roles and visions are certainly going to be reflected more and more strongly on every crucial issue.
It is only when the young become more matured and well-grounded that a country can have a bright future. It is time for us to act for the young . This would be much more useful than just preaching the “China Model.”
Tian Wei is the host of “Dialogue” on CCTV's English Channel, and the main anchor of CCTV's special coverage of important domestic and international events. Previously, Tian worked in Washington D.C. as a correspondent, and covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her blog is http://blog.cctv.com/html/09/960109.html. Reach her at tianwei.gt@gmail.com
