Why We Must Invest in Those Who Will Inherit the Earth

Invest in Southeast Asia's youth to strengthen governance and democracy

By Curtis S. Chin

MANILA – The way forward to strengthened governance and democracy in some of Southeast Asia's largest nations remains far from smooth. But there is hope that young people can lead the way ahead if we recognize and invest now in those who will inherit the earth.

That was my lede sentiment in a recent commentary piece I wrote appearing in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Yet, that belief in the importance of investing in a nation's young people to strengthen democratic systems applies as much in the world's oldest modern democracy in the United States, or its largest in India, as it does in Southeast Asia.

A review of the headlines and social media feeds could well make one lose heart. The Philippines is a case in point. Breaking news flashes and trending Tweets and Facebook posts from the Philippines magnify the many not insignificant challenges facing the country. 

The ongoing war on drugs, the battle against violent extremists in the southern region of Mindanao, the attacks on journalists, and the seemingly endemic corruption and enduring poverty that has eroded public confidence in Philippine government across presidential administrations are not for the faint of heart. Solving these problems requires not just the commitment and ingenuity of current politicians, but the engagement of the next generation of civic and political leaders. 

That’s true across a region where democracy often struggles – and true too even in the most modern and developed of democracies around the world.

Finding Reason for Optimism

Yet, in Manila recently, I also found reason for optimism. At year-end 2017, I traveled back to the Philippines, where I had been based for nearly four years as the U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank. This trip, I had the privilege of witnessing the incredible strides made by some young Filipino leaders firsthand when I joined a graduation ceremony for the International Republican Institute (IRI)’s Young Leaders for Good Governance Fellowship (YLGGF). 

Established in the United States in April 1983, the IRI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. The IRI does this in part by helping political parties to become more issue-based and responsive, assisting citizens to participate in government planning, and working to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process – including women and youth. Its vision is a world where all people are free to determine their own destiny.

The IRI's YLGGF initiative is a year-long program for local government leaders under the age of 40. Over the course of two days, I was struck by the enthusiasm and clear vision these young officials had for their cities, municipalities and country.

In one instance, a councilor from Illocos Sur, in the northwest of the Philippines, spoke at length about the need for young people to learn farming techniques from aging farmers in her municipality. Many farmers have contributed significantly to the local economy, but may well retire or pass away before sharing their skills with apprentices. In response to this challenge, this councilor created the “Farmbassadors” program to pair older farmers with unemployed youth to create jobs and foster a more inclusive community.

Disruption can come in many forms. These young leaders are not content to wait for solutions for their problems to be delivered from the top down. Instead, they are experimenting and innovating. And they are seeking to extend their participation in politics at the same time as their national government prepares to devolve more powers to the local level to enhance public services and better respond to citizens’ needs.

With a Filipino population of some 50 million under the age of 24, the nation’s decision makers simply cannot afford to neglect the employment, education and social needs of this enormous constituency. Poor economic opportunities, especially outside of “imperial Manila,” are contributing to feelings of disillusionment. This in turn may well feed into larger challenges to social cohesion including anti-social behavior, drug abuse, and even violent extremism.

An Investment Lesson for all Southeast Asia

And herein also lies a lesson for all Southeast Asia. Democracy is much more than about elections. An informed and engaged citizenry, and a strong and enduring system of checks and balances are also critical to a successful democratic system.

Effective and engaged leaders who invest in building resilience to economic and other challenges to democracy are crucial to a nation's future. For the Philippines, support for future leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), bilateral partners and the larger international community can also play a valuable role. One example of such support is the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative known as YSEALI – the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.

As a nation's generations of young people move into increasingly important positions of responsibility, political leaders at all levels must seize the opportunities presented by political, economic and social reforms to build a better country for all.

That approach – investing in youth to strengthen governance – is one that could well benefit all of the region’s governments, fully democratic or not. Identifying young Southeast Asian leaders can be the easy part. The shared, ongoing larger challenge is to invest in and support them. The result will be a stronger region for generations to come.

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Curtis S. Chin, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, is managing director of advisory firm RiverPeak Group, LLC. Follow him on Twitter at @CurtisSChin.