Gangs will destroy your life

"Gangs may fill the need for identity and discipline, but in the process they can destroy entire neighbourhoods," said Elphege Joseph, executive director, RBTT, Roytec, in an address during the 2005/2006 launch of RBTT Young Leaders programme at Crowne Plaza in Port-of-Spain.

In a veiled reference to the proliferation of gangs, Joseph said it was becoming increasingly clear that many of the trends taking place were proving to be harmful to the education of today’s youth.

The theme of this year’s RBTT initiative is, "Shaping the future: Cherishing life, embracing family values, respecting one another."

Anna-Maria Kurbanali, senior manager, group communications, said that in trying to come up with this year’s theme, the bank was aware and concerned about the disturbing events unfolding today, events, she added, that threatened the very existence of the country’s young people and their future. "We need more affirmative action now," she told the students.

While young people today are well informed about what leads to happiness, Joseph said shortcuts were often taken to save energy, settling for small and momentary pleasures or engaging in activities that led to dead ends, or sour into addictions.

Noting that growth came from activities that required skill, concentration and involvement, Joseph also felt the greatest benefit came from doing the "right things" — arts, sports, music or a good project.

She told guests that RBTT continued to invest in its Young Leaders programme because it believed that healthy youth development invigorated economic development. She noted that this was necessary for sustainable economic growth and for the well-being of families and communities.

She said without emphasis on social capital, a country’s wealth and the sustainability of its communities become threatened.

In her address, Maria Dingwell, principal at Moruga Composite School, said today’s environment was cause for concern, noting that there was a sense of loss, hopelessness, hurt and disappointment.

"We seem to be waging a war against ourselves with no direction or purpose," she lamented, suggesting that what society needed was for young people to come up with solutions rather than regurgitate them.