The Malta Independent online
24 March 2010
Features
The term ‘youth’ is generally associated with the young, energetic, creative, ambitious future leaders of our society. Youth have a certain flair that, when combined with their positive initiatives, would make a positive contribution for our society. Often, ideas coming from youth conflict with those of adults; but if a compromise between these ideas is found, then the synergetic effect would result in a better society.
One could find various definitions of the term ‘youth’. While acknowledging the fact that according to the Civil Code (Article 157), “a minor is a person of either sex who has not yet attained the age of 18 years”, according to the National Youth Policy (2004) “youth… means a person between the ages of 14 to 30”. Notwithstanding this wide age range, the National Youth Policy of Malta also recognises that there are various phases within youth.
The wider perspective
The youth landscape is rapidly changing its perspective and dimension with the rapid changes taking place within a globalised world, especially if one considers the impact that electronic communications and a climate change have on youth and their experience of the world around them.
The scenario is changing fast. As young people share ideas, values, music and symbols through mass media technology, a global youth culture has emerged. Many young people are organising and networking themselves in both formal and informal ways.
Meanwhile UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) stated that more than half of the world’s youth live in poverty. Often, these youths lack access to technology and information. These youth experience social inequality, poor schools, gender discrimination, unemployment and inadequate health systems.
The role of mass media and youth culture
As globalisation reaches communities across the world, the identities of young people in both developed and developing countries are increasingly shaped by – and expressed through – popular culture. Culture could be communicated in many forms: Traditional to emerging media, music, dance, storytelling, television, radio, books, fashion, art, computer games and web blogs, among others.
Mass media could be powerful tools to socialise young people with different aspirations, values and attitudes. Nowadays various professionals are continuously alert to media messages and increasingly cultivate the power of entertainment in order to promote health messages. Through various media, people would be invited to reflect about consequences of different behaviours, make decisions, and act wisely. Youth from various countries relate with each other and this has a ripple effect in so much as this would influence the values and culture of those exposed to these messages. In this globalised world different people express different views since they have different ideas and beliefs based on their living habitat and culture. Through this “virtual interaction”, our society in general would begin changing its ideas and traditional norms that have been passed on from one generation to another.
We are facing a reality that social and cultural change cannot be stopped and we should be wise enough to capitalise over such change. Globalisation affected the way how we communicate and the means of communication. We are facing an emerging type of media such as internet sites including social networks, new technological devices and so much more. We should seek ways how to use these communication devices in order to disseminate our message.
The local situation: Our contribution
Often we tend to associate youth with negative things; however this impression is misleading. Many young people participate in voluntary organisations and social groups, or dedicate their free time for a just cause. We see a lot of youth participating in various voluntary activities and this proves that they can appreciate others, take initiatives and contrary to popular belief, have values.
Agenzija Sedqa within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services works with youth in various settings, such as the community, Secondary schools, Post-secondary schools and workplaces. During the present academic year, the Agency also participated in a roundtable conference at the University of Malta where the discussion with the University students focused on the effects of drugs and their ripple effects on society in general. The approach Sedqa adopts in its prevention work is that it encourages positive re-enforcement with the youth we work with.
The Agency conducts various interventions with youth groups and other social groups including social, sports, religious groups and also with local councils.
Such interventions also include formal meetings with parents in order to provide them with ways of how to deal with their youth and also to know the facts around topics related to addictive behaviours. Part of such prevention work is focused at the post-secondary institution of MCAST. This setting provides us with the opportunity of meeting with youth from all walks of life and with different views and opinions. Our role here is not only to prevent youth from abusing substances but primarily to promote healthy lifestyles. The fact that we accompany youth both in their educational and social environment is very much appreciated by the youth themselves. This provides the youth with the opportunity to have a reference person in their educational setting in case they would like to get more information or advice about substance abuse-related issues.
Agency Sedqa compiles information packs geared towards assisting young people making good choices. One of these packs will be in an interactive CD format, mainly including A to Z information about substance abuse and misuse classified in an alphabetical order, with young people as the target audience. This production is being supported by the Rotaract Club La Vallette, and is intended to gather in one resource the necessary information that young people might need to know about substance abuse and also to spread the message for a safer and healthier life. Sedqa believes that young people have the energy, ideas and aspirations they need to lead a healthier life. Thus its aim is to promote the positive aspects of youth while suggesting healthy lifestyles in order to cope with one’s life challenges.
Initiatives addressed to young people
Such interventions do not operate in a vacuum: Sedqa collaborates with other FSWS services, both within Sedqa and also with other services offered by its sister Agency, Appogg, on matters concerning youth, especially those at risk. Inter and intra agency networking is of utmost importance in order to reach a level of professionality and ensure that a holistic and efficient service / programme is delivered.
These cases include the recent collaboration between the two Agencies in order to facilitate a pre-adolescent group at the ACCESS Community Resource Centre in Birgu. Through such programme, a group of adolescents who are experiencing difficulties in their family environment, are being supported and guided to improve their skills in order to deal with their emotions and feelings. These adolescents are being given the chance to become aware of their inner self and have the opportunity to express themselves. Through informal education they have the opportunity to voice their concerns while observing, learning and practising newly-acquired social skills; they are given the chance to participate in various activities within their community and also outside it. This group is promoting healthier activities such as drama, sports and art while maintaining their formal education.
Other projects are regularly coordinated by the Appogg Cottonera Community Team, mostly in collaboration with entities operating within the community, such as ETC, local councils, parishes, St Margaret College, amongst others. The Appogg Youth Outreach service also extends its services to youth at risk, and engages these young people and links them to resources and/or services within the community, while working with them towards the development of their existing strengths.
Further interventions for young people by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services includes Teen Support Services, which targets young people at risk of substance abuse or who might have already started experimenting with substances.
Such an array of programmes and services, together with on-going collaboration with other entities working in the field, shows that the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, is committed towards young people both in improving their environment while also addressing issues that might prevent complex social difficulties from evolving to more complicated ones.
It is every society’s challenge to address pertinent issues related to young people within it. Strengthening and enhancing cooperation between all stake holders involved is of fundamental importance to obtain positive tangible results. Sedqa’s mission, both through its preventive and other interventions is to help this to be realised in our society. So our invite is for all community groups to get in contact with us if they would need some sessions or our services. They could phone us on 2388-5110, send us an email on sedqa@gov.mt, or message us through Facebook.
Article provided by Sedqa
Resources:
Aitchison, K. J., Meehan, K., & Murray, R. M. (1999). First episode psychosis. London: Martin Dunitz Limited.
Civil Code, Laws of Malta.
Linn, M.W., Sandifer, R., & Stein, S. (1995) Effects of unemployment on mental and physical health. American Public Health Association. USA.
Marshy, M. (1999). Social and Psychological Effects of Overcrowding Housing. International Development Research Centre
National Youth Policy, (2004). Malta.
UNFPA. (2007). Supporting Adolescents and Youth. United Nations.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=103541
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