EDITOR, The Tribune.

As a young Bahamian presently living abroad, I read with great interest your newspaper’s article entitled, “Bahamas Losing 2/3 of ‘Best and Brightest’” dated June 16, 2014. The recently released IDB report “Is there a Caribbean Sclerosis?” noted that 61 per cent of tertiary-educated Bahamians live and work in developed countries.

I am sure that this information is not news for many Bahamians, but the report should foster a much-needed dialogue about the role youths play in society.

I am certain that there are many young Bahamians who intend to return home in the near future, but the great question that looms over many of our decision-making is “What is there for us back home?”

We see our parents struggling to make ends meet in this economy and we see our friends with few opportunities to create a meaningful career.

We have a government that seems more concerned about making outlandish statements and defending the indefensible than providing sound leadership.

Then we have an official Opposition that is either unwilling or incapable of offering alternatives to solving the problems that they helped to create.

Shadow Finance Minister Peter Turnquest is reported saying that the FNM is “not obligated to put forth an alternative” to the VAT Bill which will arguably, transform the modern Bahamas.

With leaders like these, it is a no-brainer as to why so many of us are eager to take advantages of opportunities in other countries. Things must change.

However, unlike others who are quick to condemn our beloved nation to hell in a hand basket, I still believe that our best years are ahead of us if we seriously empower the youth.

Firstly, I encourage Minister of Youth Daniel Johnson to work tirelessly to ensure that the National Youth Policy Bill is enacted. We have every right to have a seat at the table of this country.

Secondly, senior political and civic leaders should make way for young leaders to bring new ideas. But do not leave us. We need your seasoned advice and encouragement to help us in our quest to be a better Bahamas.

As a young nation, we should heed the words of the Greek proverb that says, “A society grows great when old men (and women) plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”.

This is just an appeal from a young Bahamian that wants to make positive contributions to the only country he will ever call home.

KYLE M DORSETT

June 18, 2014.