Y-Files
September 29, 2007 06:44 AM
Adrian Cheung - Youth writer
York Region students hear about leadership, integrity and character on a regular basis. But as Ontario heads toward the Oct. 10 election, they want to see their representatives put those character traits into action.
When asked the most important traits a political leader should have, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School student Haziq Qasim, 17, responded without hesitation: “Honesty, credibility and accountability. You need to at least know that they are trying (to make a difference).”
Youth want to feel their leader’s energy, compassion and perhaps a glimpse into a more human side.
“They make good points but none of the leaders truly connect with me,” Daran Somasundaram said. “I only end up seeing their ideologies.”
Politicians have been given a bad rap.
When a student in a politics class at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School raised the opinion, “Most of the people who enter politics genuinely want to help”, she was greeted with a round of snickers and chuckles.
When asked if they trust candidates in October’s election, Mr. Somansundaram and Mr. Qasim were quick to respond with a resounding “No”, adding goals are often put forth before a viable action plan has even been set in place and simply too many promises have been broken far too often.
But student Dean Saroop offered a different perspective, suggesting (Politicians) are well meaning, but then have to go back on their word when they realize what it means to be in office.”
Candidates of each party are going to have to stand strong by their values and deliver on promises to win at the polls Oct. 10.
But persuasion (and ultimately, actions) of a different breed are needed to earn youth’s trust.
Adrian Cheung is a student at Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School in Markham and a member of the York Region Media Group’s y-team.