“The proper work of the mind is the exercise of choice, preparation, purpose, and assent. What then can pollute and clog the mind’s proper functioning? Nothing but its own corrupt decisions.” —EPICTETUS
As we acknowledge that measuring continuing change poses a difficult task, it is well proven that we can sense change streams in infinite ways. Without a doubt, the world is changing forever.
Moreover, though a door for knowledge and self-development has opened wider than ever, contemporary societies seem too busy racing after insignificant things. This is called a neglect syndrome. Neglect syndrome happens when past experiences, wisdom, and norms are in a weak posture compared to a noisy future.
Thus, a strong current of change in lifestyles, norms, and institutions is underway, which requires better preparation. As Alvin Toffler, in his disturbing book titled “Future Shock,” explains, contemporary change breeds odd personalities, odd norms, and odd attitudes much more complex than the existing human experience.
So, what has been put to the test is humanity’s capacity to get organized and systematized. Consider the United Nations system and its momentous fatigue, for instance. Whatever the arguments concerning the significant impact of such a global governance system, it is unquestionable that its role as a global watchdog has been fading in recent times. This means that humanity’s commitment to getting organized in an effective manner has faded.
What we can conclude as a historic success is that the UN system came into play 85 years ago. As an international organization, it was the direct result of the bloody Second World War. The UN system was constructed purely on the foundations of power politics, with a lion’s share of the successful blocs and minimal socio-cultural and political considerations regarding multidimensional representations.
In general terms, the UN system represents humanity’s greatest hope in its aspiration for effective international governance. In fact, this system plays a critical role in limiting humanitarian crises and in creating a standardized approach for assessing such crises.
On the other hand, however, the UN system has proven over time to be not the ultimate, but rather the least effective governance alternative, as long as war, famine, chaos, insecurity, and maladministration dominate the world. Time has exposed that the UN system’s recurring incapacity, partiality, and disinterest lead the world nowhere. In addressing the decay of international systems, it is more important to be imaginative than to be right. When considering the causes of this decay, we need not beat around the bush.
As Epictetus puts it, it is nothing but the mind’s corrupt decisions that bear the responsibility. So, if you are today’s youth, you have much responsibility to stand. The astonishing expansion in the scale and scope of change, along with all wars, plagues, earthquakes, and devastating famines, cannot be understated. It is this convergence of pressures that propels better organizational skills.
The most important ingredient to adapt to the contemporary acceleration of change is wisdom of formulating much better organizational pursuits. An organized youth faces fading global morals and supports social cohesion; an organized youth fights grave socio-economic adversity and fosters prosperity; an organized youth grasps the dangers of global warming and promotes sustainability, etc.
Subsequently, Eritrea’s Youth Association is principled and practices “let the youth in Eritrea get enlightened, organized, and equipped.” Since the day it was founded, NUEYS has championed the cause of its ideals and demonstrated a sense of mission towards those ideals. Coupled with persistent national commitments, those mottos motivate surviving Eritrea in the face of time and its ill-weighted misfortunes. For decades, Eritrea’s youth have dedicated their physical and intellectual resources in the face of major tests: war and peace, development endeavors, technological achievements, and art. The kinetic motive is their strategic vision towards enlightening, organizing, and training pursuits.
Yet, time and society are changing. Therefore, this article advocates for maintaining the aforementioned achievements and coping with a fast-changing world—better preparedness, better learning, and a much better commitment to getting organized. This is how we can stand against future shock and the mind’s corrupt decisions.
Written by Amanuel Zekarias