By Daw Khaing Khaing Shwe (Public Policy, NUS)

 

AS the French proverb goes, “Rome was not built in a single day”, a saying that dates back to the 12th century, Rome could not have been constructed over­night. In the same way, great accomplishments are never achieved instantly; they require patience, persistence, and sus­tained effort over time.

 

Rebuilding a nation is far more complex than even our personal routines. Consider something as simple as chang­ing our bedsheets every two or three weeks. Do we always manage to do it as planned? Personally, I frequently fail, and for many reasons, the task is delayed.

 

Similarly, constructing a country composed of numer­ous ethnic groups cannot be completed quickly. It is a monu­mental endeavour that demands time, careful planning, and the ongoing participation of many generations.

 

Rebuilding a nation is not a task that any single individual can shoulder alone, much like changing one’s bedsheets or doing the laundry. In the work of nation-building, responsibil­ity does not rest solely on the shoulders of leaders – it belongs to every citizen. Each person must cultivate the willingness to contribute actively, see them­selves as an agent of change, and understand clearly the role they can play. For young people in particular, taking initiative and embracing responsibility forms a vital force capable of shaping the nation’s future.

 

A nation’s development does not rest solely on natural resources or political power. True development is grounded in stability, justice, and equality for all. These are the bedrock of any country. Yet, the mere presence of these foundations does not automatically lead to national development. For the machinery of a state built upon these foundations to function effectively, the active partici­pation of every citizen across all sectors is indispensable for a country’s development. Each individual must endeavour to contribute to the nation in ac­cordance with their own talents and capacities. Moreover, it is essential to respect the law and to fulfil one’s civic duties con­scientiously.

 

Youths & Civic Duties

“Civic duty” refers to the responsibilities and obligations that a citizen must undertake for the benefit of society and the nation. For example, obligations such as respecting and obey­ing the law or paying taxes are mandatory and must be fulfilled. At the same time, actions like voting, engaging in volunteer work, and honouring the rights and opinions of others are vol­untary responsibilities – carried out willingly, guided by personal choice and commitment.

 

Every citizen carries a re­sponsibility for the development of their nation. Among them, young people deserve particular emphasis, for they are the ones who will shoulder the most cru­cial roles in shaping the coun­try’s future.

 

First and foremost, young people are the driving force who will shape the nation’s future with their full energy and intellectual capacity. It is therefore especially important for them to fulfil their civic du­ties. In addition, they should actively exercise their rights to education and healthcare and strive to develop their full po­tential, becoming capable and well-qualified individuals. The attitudes, behavior and mindset of today’s youth will ultimately determine the image of the na­tion tomorrow.

 

Secondly, young people pos­sess the ability to engage mean­ingfully in social and community work. In Myanmar, for instance, when natural disasters such as floods, fires, or earthquakes strike, youth often step forward as volunteers to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Their active involvement in such endeavours stands as a powerful example of fulfilling one’s civic duties.

 

Thirdly, young people serve as guardians of the public values and properties. Across towns and villages in Myanmar, youth groups come together to car­ry out activities such as street cleaning and environmental conservation. These collective efforts demonstrate their sense of responsibility to create public values.

 

Furthermore, it is essen­tial for young people to become law-abiding and responsible citizens. By adhering to school rules, obeying traffic regula­tions, and learning from a young age not to damage public prop­erty, they contribute positively to society as a whole. We have learnt an important lesson: while it may take great effort and time to build something, it can be destroyed very easily, highlighting the value of respon­sibility and care in preserving what has been created.

 

In summary, young people are the lifeblood of the nation and the architects of its future, making it vital for them to ac­tively embrace and fulfil their civic duties. When the sense of responsibility of each young individual combines into a col­lective force, we can be confi­dent that the nation’s future will shine ever brighter.

 

The future of a nation lies in the hands of its youth. There­fore, if every young person un­derstands their responsibilities and participates with wisdom, discernment, and the ability to distinguish right from wrong, they can gradually help build a stable, strong, and just nation. By listening to sound advice, showing respect, and collec­tively upholding fundamental values, young people can fos­ter unity within the country. In this way, the intelligence and harmony of the youth become crucial factors in advancing and strengthening the nation.

 

Social Changes Emerging Among Today’s Youth

In today’s era, society has grown increasingly attentive to the actions, behaviours, and social attitudes of young people. Modern youth are more willing to question injustice, form in­dependent opinions, and resist practices they perceive as im­practical. At the same time, re­spect toward parents, teachers, elders, and traditional customs has noticeably declined.

 

This trend is particularly evident online and on social me­dia, where harsh language and blame are often used to gain more likes and views. Such be­haviours not only harm cultural values but also raise serious concerns regarding interper­sonal relationships and social cohesion.

 

An excessive focus on “likes, views, followers”, and similar online metrics has eroded young people’s real-life social skills. As interpersonal communication weakens, misunderstandings between individuals increase, giving rise to greater mistrust. When thoughts and feelings that should be shared within a community are withheld or ex­pressed inaccurately, conflicts become more likely to occur.

 

Furthermore, divisions between groups may emerge, diminishing the spirit of collab­oration. In any society, without mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation, social cohesion inevitably suffers.

 

In the age of globaliza­tion, constantly following the information delivered by the smartphones in our hands has led to a decline in interest in our traditional culture, litera­ture, and history. Young people increasingly adopt foreign cul­tural practices without reflec­tion, which poses a serious risk of eroding their own cultural identity.

 

Furthermore, a noticeable decline in responsibility and perseverance among young people has been observed in workplaces. When faced with difficulties, some tend to give up easily, showing less willingness to strive for long-term goals in their careers and education. A mindset that seeks quick results through shortcuts further exac­erbates this problem.

 

On the other hand, an in­creasing focus on self-interest and self-centeredness among young people has become a matter of serious concern. The mindset of “as long as it works out for me” has become more common, while the willingness to engage in socially beneficial activities or to consider the welfare of others has declined. Such changes in perspective can undermine social cohesion and trust within the community.

 

The role of each young per­son is vital in restoring the so­cial values of youth. Fame and likes on social media should not be treated as measures of self-worth; instead, young people should build their value through truly useful skills and abilities. The ability to persevere and work diligently towards goals that do not yield immediate suc­cess enhances personal and so­cial worth. Moreover, accepting differing opinions and engaging in respectful discussions can strengthen social cohesion and cultural values.

 

Education is a fundamental human right that must be made available to every child. Through learning, individuals develop the ability to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions throughout life. Edu­cated youth enjoy greater oppor­tunities in selecting careers and are better equipped to shape their own lives independently. Every child and young person should have the freedom to ac­cess education without restric­tion. Moreover, educated youth are more capable of understand­ing social issues and becoming responsible, engaged citizens. In this way, education benefits not only the individual but also fosters the development of so­ciety and secures the future of the nation as a whole.

 

Furthermore, under the current circumstances of un­stable social conditions, gener­ational limitations, political and economic pressures, and the lack of understanding from par­ents and elders are all factors that can negatively influence the behaviour and perspectives of young people.

 

Therefore, rather than criticizing young people, it is important to understand them, provide guidance, and create a positive environment. Doing so will help shape a better and stronger society in the future.

 

At the same time, parents, teachers, and elders should also seek to understand the diffi­culties faced by young people. By creating an environment where they can be listened to and guided, rather than judged or criticized youths’ sense of responsibility and respect can naturally flourish.

 

In conclusion, the evolving social values of today’s Myan­mar youth can be restored only through understanding, guid­ance, and trust. At the same time, young people themselves must learn to exercise their rights, accept their responsi­bilities, acknowledge and cor­rect their mistakes, consider the advice of elders, and actively participate in socially beneficial activities. When society recog­nizes that youth are a vital re­source for the future, and when young people understand their own value and demonstrate responsibility and mutual re­spect, a truly meaningful and socially cohesive community can emerge. In an environment where both elders and youth in­teract constructively, combining the wisdom of experience with the creativity of the younger generation, the progress and development of our nation can accelerate.