“Shut up, you are too young to talk about such issues,” was the usual reply if any of our children and youth dared to express an opinion on something. Parents at home and teachers at school dismiss any inquiries by telling their children they are too young to understand.
It is this kind of policy that continues to keep our children and youth in the dark even when they want to discuss subjects that directly affect their life. They are too often denied the opportunity to discuss or express an opinion about their own problems and concerns.
It is because of this that girls, and sometimes boys, are forced into marriage against their will, enrolled in certain schools and colleges against their will and forced to accept all manner of other situations.
Saudi Arabia’s main problems today have to do with its youth, who make up the bulk of its population, be it their college education, employment or extremism.
Why then are our youth so conspicuously missing from any plans for the future of the country, and almost completely absent from any discussions of their problems? The answer is that their problems are usually left for their seniors to solve.
Our youth have almost no representation in public life. Can anyone think of one senior government official who is in his 30s? Were there any participants at any of the previous National Dialogue Forums between 18 and 30? The answer is no.
My generation was born when the early years of the oil boom years were coming to an end. Planners did not take our concerns and needs and those of the next generations after us into consideration. Those were times of rapid changes and transformations both domestically and internationally and we still continue to be influenced by them.
It is time others listened to the voice of the young. In a few months we will have the fourth round of National Dialogue, which this time focuses on youth issues. Let us hope the forum, titled “Youth Issues, Facts and Aspirations,” will address in depth the real problems facing our youth and not just superficial issues.
Let young people prepare and organize the forum. If there is going to be any presence of older people, let them come as observers. Their advice and expertise will still be useful.
