Youth: Future Leaders of the Land by Azhedhie

The youth of our generation holds the key for the greater development of our nation. While they are still young adults, the youth should be taught to be responsible citizens, as they will become our future leaders. They must be well trained – in their values, attitudes, and aspirations – to think ahead, for the common good.

The development of leadership potential is a slow and gradual process that must begin from early childhood. Our own perception of self-worth is heavily influenced by the expectations of our parents. Similarly, the actuations of our parents determine the kind of individuals we, children, will become. Our potential as leaders rests on the model set up by our parents, the older members of the community, and society at large. If parents are idealistic, if they believe in the supremacy of a higher being, in honesty, transparency, equality, justice, freedom and democracy, it is likely that their children will adopt those same values that are necessary for young people to become good leaders.

The question that continues to resonate is whether the young generation has the necessary experiences to take on the challenges of life. But this question need not be bothersome if the youth is given the training, opportunity and responsibilities to prepare them not only for future leadership but for them to be responsible members of the family first, before they become responsible members of the community and society. As I’ve said earlier, the home is where children are taught values that are prerequisites of good leadership.

It is important that the youth is given the opportunity to think and make decisions for themselves. Spoon-feeding them or dictating to them what needs to be done, or the answers to perplexing questions, will not help. But allowing them to think and express their opinions on certain issues, make for intelligent and thinking adult individuals.

The training involves having young people participate in decision-making processes – in the classroom, in the village or barangay associations, in church meetings. In such settings, they are exposed to different ideas, different people, different philosophies and religious beliefs, and they are able to evaluate, analyze, and decide for themselves what they want to do with their own lives. Most important, they learn to be accepting of people’s ideas and idiosyncrasies – something that is essential in exercising just leadership.

When young people are taught all that has been said here while they are young, they evolve into responsible members of society, negating the saying, “Youth is wasted in the young,” but affirming the belief that the youth are the future leaders of the land.


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Azhedhie - Is a likeable young man. He is friendly, conscientious and diligent. At home he cleans his room and makes his bed by himself, and cooks his food when he comes home at night. He always sleep all morning. He budgets his time in doing daily activities including hangout parties after school.