Port Moresby: “Young people must be able to use initiative to sustain themselves rather than wait for those in authority.” This was the message relayed by the students of Limana Vocational Training Centre on their Chat Room program on Wednesday 8th September, 2021.
Beginning with an explanation on what Taking Initiative meant, grade 9 student Rose Kome said it was the ability one possessed to be proactive in life; doing things without being told to; to act rather than to react. This meant being resourceful towards situations around you, contributing positively to them.
John Fagu, currently in grade 9, stressed on the values and benefits of taking initiative. He said it started at home on an individual level and parents were the first teachers to teach and instill this life skill in their children as they grew up.
“Initiative starts at home with the smaller things, only are you able to handle bigger things outside your home. It also affects you psychologically as when you do things without being told, people praise you and that gives you joy and satisfaction raising your self-esteem to continue to do what you do”, he explained.
Tasion Antonio, gave examples of what Youth Initiatives were and highlighted the stand against petty crimes and uncleanliness of the markets and bus stops by the young people of the Gordons suburb, stating that this was what we as young people needed to do.
“There are a lot of things happening in our communities and as young people are rising up we shouldn’t wait for those in authority to address these issues. We should be the ones to take ownership of our societies and bring about change and the rest will follow. That is what is meant by Youth Initiatives”, he stressed.
Initiative is important in leadership as it encourages the leader to do more for his people, Tasion added.
Whilst quoting American educator Stephen Covey, “Taking Initiative is a form of Self-Empowerment”, Nicklyde Soilo said this was applicable in the PNG context where we have a lot of unemployed youth roaming the streets. He argued that self-empowerment enables us to respond and act upon our own authority for others and for ourselves and encouraged young people to develop the skill.
Grade 10 student Davina Ilumpui stressed that taking initiative would make a person self-reliant and independent and encouraged young people to come out of their comfort zones and face the world head on as no one would make life better for them except themselves.
She made a further call to those in authority to support young people who were going out of their way to do something good for themselves and their communities as well as well as to those who had the power to provide more opportunities for young people who would like to engage in self-driven positive activities so they would use as a platform to start.
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