SpunOut.ie Blog
We need to decide what kind of country we want
SpunOut.ie says 'time to take control.'
Ireland has the 3rd largest per capita population of young people in Europe. Over 35% of our population is under 25. We are highly educated, skilled and well travelled. In many ways we have fuelled the progress of the past decade, helping the country rise beyond our difficult and turbulent history, into becoming a vibrant and dynamic nation that is more diverse, open and confident.
We’ve achieved things our grandparents only dreamed of and in the same period are now facing a crash landing into a harsh reality.
1 in 3 young people are now out of work, the third highest rate in the EU, whilst many of us in employment are living in anxious and temporary conditions, where firms and financers see us as disposable or replaceable statistics.
With almost 500,000 people relying on a strained social welfare system, we’ve landed a vast pool of ideas, talents, skills and energy on to a human scrap heap whilst ironically funding it through the scare tax contributions of those of us lucky enough to have the basic life necessity called a job.
Surrounding all of this we are witnessing the traditional pillars of power, authority and decision making come tumbling down. The church, state, politics, the unions, industry and banking are all scrambling to put out the raging fires they themselves helped create.
This is much more than an economic recession. It is a period of social transformation where all skeletons are out of the closet and we have to face up to hard facts.
The evidence is presented to us daily. Crumbling schools, under-funded colleges, a never ending crisis in the health system - all fundamental measures of a decent society. We have ongoing political scandals, growing tensions about mismanaged immigration and our climate change fight is being fought by building incinerators, cutting bus services and building more roads.
People are struggling on many fronts. Relationships are under pressure, money is tight and anxiety and depression are common place. There is no doubt that frustration and anger is rising and we may yet see a return to the protest movements of the ‘80s, only this time fed by a more larger and more organised younger generation who don’t have all the same emigration options.
You only have to read the headlines to know there’s no easy way out of this one. Certainly a model of development that sees people hand over their power and purse strings to charming men in suits every few years isn’t going to cut it.
We need to go back to basics to understand and solve these problems. We need to decide what kind of country we the people want. We need a national discussion and debate where every man, woman and child participates in a meaningful way. Each of us has gifts, skills and talents to offer and whilst young people represent a powerful and energetic force for change, we need all ages to play their part.
It is time to redefine ourselves beyond being a nation of pharmaceutical and software exporters or drunken gombeen men. It is time to nurture a new consciousness that unites us, gives us true pride and belief in ourselves and each other, a consciousness that challenges discredited authority and inspires new systems and structures that are community based and people led. That way we all take responsibility for where we are and where we’re going.
As the old ways coming falling down, bringing chaos and confusion for many, space is being created for new ways to emerge.
We are entering the core of this transformation and it’s time to re-imagine what is possible for the country, for job creation, healthcare, environment and ourselves. We have the technology and the tools, the people and the energy.
The only thing stopping us is ourselves.
