Kathmandu, July 14

Youth leaders and experts today stressed on participation of ‘educated and capable youths’ in the country’s politics.

Speaking at an interaction on ‘National Youth Policy-2015 and Youth Vision-2025’ organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports today, Madhab Dhungel, vice-chairperson of National Youth Council, said, “Youths should participate in politics to right the wrongs.” He said political parties should also encourage participation of youths in politics.

“Political parties should adopt the policy of giving party membership to youths,” Dhungel, who is former president of CPN-UML aligned student union All Nepal National Free Students Union said, adding, “Political parties should adopt policies to attract youths into politics.” He further suggested to the political parties to field at 60 per cent youths in the upcoming elections.

“We should end the culture of giving the same politician the opportunity hold ministerial portfolios time and again. Leaders should be barred from holding ministerial posts more than twice,” he said. He also stressed on promoting youth volunteerism.

Stating that thousands of youths aged between 16 and 35 years committed suicide in the past few years, he said, “The country needs to systematise technical and general education.”

Tej Raj Panday, joint-secretary, MoYS, said the ministry had formulated National Youth Policy and Youth Vision to address issues of the youths.

Mahendra Paudyal, under secretary at MoYS, said the national youth policy aims to meet the national objectives to mainstream youths through their effective participation in various affairs of the state.

Gyan Raj Subedi, under secretary, MoYS, said, “Quality and vocational education; employment, entrepreneurship and skill development; health and social security; mobilisation, participation and leadership development; and sports and entertainment are the five pillars of youth vision.”

The government’s policy and programme focuses on compulsory and free education up to Grade XII as well as employment, social security, leadership development, sports and entertainment.

Citizens between the ages of 16 and 40 years are identified as youth and they comprise 42 per cent of the total population of the country as per the latest census.