• Opinion

Redefining Tomorrow: Cambodian Youth’s Quest for Social Good

• By Vong Porchhay
• February 23, 2024 9:50 AM

In today's world, young people's involvement is crucial for every country, irrespective of its size. As they are young, they tend to come up with innovative and brilliant ideas that are essential for the country's development. It is necessary to create a sustainable and peaceful future as the youth are the next generation who will play a pivotal role in making the world a better place. Since their actions can have a significant impact and can either make or break the country’s future, it is vital to ensure that they are on the right path.

First, youth need to have a proper education. Education plays a significant role in the development of both developed and developing countries. It provides them with valuable skills and recognition in society, which ultimately leads to higher income opportunities. In today's society, abilities, passion, and confidence are highly valued, and education helps individuals in developing these qualities. In Cambodia, education can open doors to international job opportunities for those who are quick-witted and able to seize them. This highlights the importance of knowledge and its potential to help young people achieve better outcomes in life. 



Undeniably, education plays a crucial role in shaping our personality and behaviour. It is the key to developing social morality, behaviour, and social etiquette. Whether through formal or informal means, education gives us the skills to think critically, communicate effectively and make ethical decisions. With higher education, individuals can learn the importance of treating others with respect, especially elders and being kind and helpful to those in need. By cultivating these values, we can make our society a better place to live in.

In addition to receiving a good education, young people must be aware of harmful acts and strive towards making their society a more peaceful and better place. With various crimes happening every day, youths need to exhibit good behaviour as crimes can seriously undermine peace and stability. Ensuring obedience and progress becomes quite challenging with so many issues going on at once. Furthermore, people cannot live in prosperity if they feel unsafe. In some countries today, schools and public places are no longer safe, and many parents are afraid to send their children to school. They once believed that schools were the safest place, but now they have lost their confidence. Therefore, we must prevent all types of crimes if we want to ensure a bright future.

Furthermore, youth also need to participate in environmental care actively and meaningfully, as their future is greatly dependent on a healthy environment. They can contribute by reducing their use of plastic, avoiding littering and burning trash, and working together to plant more trees instead of cutting them down. Environmental failure could have dire consequences for the future, as no country can prosper or live in peace when the world is suffering from the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat or severe flooding. Without trees and effective solutions to climate change, we could also face more issues related to drought. This would make farming much more difficult, ultimately affecting our food consumption patterns. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to the health of our environment.

To summarize, young people play a crucial role in shaping our country's future. To build a bright future for themselves, they must focus on three things: obtaining a quality education, avoiding negative influences and activities, and actively participating in protecting their environment. While it may seem daunting, we can create a better society through intentional efforts. It's time for us as young people and citizens to take action by working together and making a meaningful impact towards a sustainable future.

 

Vong Porchhay is a 19-year-old student at CamEd Business School. He finds writing fascinating and enjoyable.