Youth involvement in wealth creation:a key to 2020 vision

I was recently arguing with my undergraduate students about the correlation between the capitalism and socialism. We were investigating whether individual country system may pursue one of the above to the detriment of the other. The famous classical economists including Adam Smith and Keynes argued contradictorily about the pursuit of self-interest on behalf of collective or community interests. Viewed in macroeconomic perspectives, capitalism motivates people to work hard to gather their personal assets for the individual wealth. Nonetheless, the socialists (mostly the Marxists) argue that the income should be equally redistributed (examples: the programs of Medicaid and Medicare in the USA, CDF in Rwanda). This is not bad as long as it does not encourage laziness. The reason why I mentioned the above economists is to relate their theories to the contemporary world. The socio-economic change does not happen in vacuum. We cannot dream to reach 2020 Vision simply because we drafted it and believe it is being implemented in utopia. My argument here is that few people become rich at later age by working hard. It entails that the parents should involve children in hardworking and strategic planning at their early age. Teaching the youth not to waste time on entertainments and sports is one of the reliable ways to prepare their bright future and not to be poor. Why rich youth and poor youth? Some people including I have been wondering about the effects of curses – if they exist – on the individual lives. A friend of mine told me that some people undergo the fate because neither had they wanted it nor did they not work hard. However, I am still proponent for the hardworking to do away with the so-called fates and curses. On religious viewpoints, curses and fate are real but in economic logic, they are mere assumptions. Reading the above subtitle, one may recall the funny book entitled “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” to which I am not making the reference now because its teachings on real estates, bonds and other financial markets investments cannot easily work for the ordinary Rwandan youth. Well, the role of youth in the undertakings leading to sustainable development is considered passive by some arguers. Youth can be entrepreneurs no matter their socio-economic backgrounds. Nevertheless, my argument here is that they have to acquire relevant knowledge from their models. The ever-first models are parents, family relatives, friends and superstars. I disagree with the youth to lean on being inspired by the ephemeral pop stars, sports stars and so on. For the ordinary youth, it is better not to hang the eyes on the often-expressed wishes to be like Jordan, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, etc… Such wishes are not awful but youth should look at where they drive them. I deem it relevant to also mention that youth should not aim to spend much than they earn. This bad habit is observed among both young boys and girls who are not bread-earners but wish to spend much money on useless items. As a young person who wants to become rich, this is your time to start exploring and drafting your profession and of course look into the horizons the opportunities to embark on it. Saying this, I am your fellow youth in my mid-twenties but I am very sure I have made my way. This is because I do not like the lazy youth who say that the opportunities are limited or simply unavailable. Assuredly, the youth who do not observe the above and wait for the time to show the ways to earn a living will always bathe or sink in a never-ending poverty. Worse enough it would affect the next generations. Parents beware of the inheritance you give to your children The American saying states that, “The like attract like”. This infers that if as a parent you want your child to be rich – no matter you lived a relatively unpleasant life – this is the right time to teach your children the skills leading to richness. Mr. Boniface Rucagu in his popular slogans used to utter “Duharanire Ubukire” literally translated “make richness our major purpose”. I think he is right. You can prepare your child to become rich by sending him to the best schools. Just look for schools with the best teaching-learning standards. Disengage your child from joining hands with the children with no good manners. You may have not been lucky to acquire wealth and even the fundamental skills but you can give a chance to your child to be able to navigate this century with ease. Inspiring children to become rich is a never-ending process. There is no shortcut to achieve it. However, the diversity of all the applicable ways should be guided by the information technology. Facilitate your children to acquire information systems skills. Make it a primary focus as well as they need to eat. ICT is the benchmark to ensure that they will excel while gathering the wealth from various parts of the world. Never give the worse inheritance. Remember nobody in particular – let alone your relatives and the government – is responsible for the survival of your children. If you hesitate about this, ask me for more enlightenment. “Poverty is a disease and shame”: American thinking Back to school, my postgraduate professor used to tell us that relying on someone to settle the bill in a restaurant causes shame. The Americans learn at the early age that poverty is a disease. They are discouraged to become poor. The children and youth are taught hardworking and risk-taking. In the inquiry program aired on the Voice of America on Mondays, this was also discussed some two months ago. The cultures differ. Do not expect an American to invite you in a restaurant and foot your bill. He simply sacrificed your time to socialize with you but you are responsible for whatever you consume. I am not really saying that the poor people are sick as long as poverty is relative in terms of income level. However, as the Americans think from toddler age, let us also change our attitudes. Aim to be rich. On this track, we shall replace the phrases of Thomas Paine, the great political philosopher of the American Revolution with “Rwanda the beautiful, Rwanda the free, Rwanda the rich, Rwanda the proud of her transformation of her poor people into rich people” – On way to 2020 Vision, I think this sounds imperative by actively involving the youth. e-mail: juvenelson@gmail.com