Embracing the young for a better tomorrow

Their comments came on the Universal Children’s Day on Thursday.
The study by non-profit organisation namely the Khon Thai Foundation and market research company GfK Thailand found, among many key points, that family, friends and teachers were key influences on youth values.
Under the study, 4,000 people aged 15 to 24 in 21 provinces were surveyed in a bid to better understand their lifestyle, attitudes, behaviour and needs. Read the full results at www.khonthaifoundation.org.
Khon Thai Foundation chairman Vichien Pongsathorn told a seminar yesterday that the foundation's annual study was a mechanism to reflect Thais’ opinions in order to better respond to social issues.
Vichien said many youth organisations were interested in designing youth activities based on the survey results. He said the foundation would also create activities with its allies to promote the young’s participation in society.
Although the study pointed out that 97 per cent of respondents thought they were too young to drive change or solve social problems, he believed youths could learn to do that via creative activities and with the support of family and society.
Citing the finding that three out of four youngsters bonded with family and gave importance to gratitude, he said society could place hope of the youths.
Such an attitude was echoed among academic and social development advocates who attended the seminar. They said children had the potential to do creative and constructive things for themselves and society.
They urged society and parents to give youths opportunities and acceptance, as this would narrow the gap between the older and younger generations.
Attending organisations included the Thai Health Promotion Foundation; the Siam Commercial Foundation; the Social Venture Network; the Foundation for a Clean and Transparent Thailand; and the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand.