Young Peoples’ Role in Asian Civil...
文章摘要
“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.” (Bahá’u’lláh)In Myanmar, like most parts of the world, most parents are not fully aware of the changes and potential in the teenagers and often treat them as a child, and more often than not, they are labeled as being rebellious. Indeed, we often live through this critical age without realizing the importance of this age and end up not having prepared enough for ourselves. Parents as well as society often do the same with the teenager by not including them in the consultation or discussion in important matters, which might hinder the development of their potential and consciousness.However, there has been some budding efforts to do something about the situation mentioned above. This paper is an attempt to share some of the concepts and practices of Spiritual Empowerment Program for Junior Youth (JY) in Myanmar as part of the world-wide Baha’i communities’ efforts for community building. In this case, Junior Youth (JY) are aged between 12 -15 and they are no longer regarded as children, but they are not to be treated as youths either. The age group of JY is characterized as the spring time of life with the full power and potential, as mentioned in the Baha’i writings.In our view, the preparation a person made as youth is the most important part of their life, and regardless of the outcome that they may attain in this regard, those very results will be carried forward for the rest of their life. While developing moral and personal qualities and skills such as acquiring knowledge, honesty, patience, perseverance, courage and so on, they are at the same time also trying to complete their education, to find good work, to participate in their own family life, to develop their community and so on. By the time children reach the age of JY, they would have attained certain level of maturity of their mind and body, and started to explore their environments, including seeing the reality of their families, neighbors and community with perspective which are different from that of children, attaining new realization of many higher concepts and life. Very often, it is the parents and peoples around them who are not fully aware of the condition related to JY, the kinds of changes they are going through, and invariably treat them as children, and demand that they do no more than focus on their study or limit them to some easy and simple matters which make them feel less important and in most parents’ eyes, trying to be rebellious. As a result, some might pass this important phase of their lives without having made enough preparation for the rest of their lives.In order not to ignore the potential and importance of JY, and help them to use the power that is inherent in the JY, the Baha’i inspired program named Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program is trying to serve this purpose. The program is designed in such a way that some youth above 15 years old are trained as “Animator,” who can work with JY for their spiritual empowerment. Those who like to serve as an animator will need to complete other training which would enable them to understand human nature and how to release the power of junior youth. The main purpose is to empower the JY and help them to focus more of their potential and capabilities on supporting community building.Although this is a Junior Youth Empowerment Program, the main protagonists in this process include the individuals, institutions and the community itself. Three practical cases of JY Empowerment Program in Myanmar will be shared in this paper.The above statement from the Baha’i writings implies that the purpose of life for every human being is to be the protagonist in the building of civilization - not merely being a part of the building of that civilization but more so shouldering its advancement. This newfound civilization should be nurtured in the sense that it should rejoice, celebrate and embrace the vast diversity of our human race. Thus, it is proposed that the steps in which Baha’i communities around the world are taking towards community building, are the building blocks of such an all embracing civilization.The Universal House of Justice[1], the elected governing body of the global Baha’i community, referred in their recent message of 18 January 2019 to the efforts undertaken by humanity to get closer to universal peace since the past century; singling out the emergence of new opportunity for consensus that has emerged and the spirit of collaboration, that has propelled the progress found in expression of the mandates given to certain international institutions charged with administering justice.
Abstract
This paper is an attempt to share some of the concepts and practices of Spiritual Empowerment Program for Junior Youth (JY) in Myanmar as part of the world-wide Baha’i communities’ efforts for community building. In this case, Junior Youth (JY) are aged between 12-15 and they are no longer regarded as children, but they are not to be treated as youths either. The age group of JY is characterized as the spring time of life with the full power and potential, as mentioned in the Baha’i writings.
作者简介
Zar Chi Phyoe Wint:Secretary-General, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Union of Myanmar, Myanmar