Sunday, January 09, 2005
Let a hundred flowers bloom - Mao on youth, and a suspicious parallel spotted.
At first it seems a refreshing change in emphasis for our government's policies, almost like a You Finally Noticed Me In That Corner You Really (Really) Want To Hear What I Think revelation. Then conversations wit a friend active in aussie youth politics revealed that this is hardly something new. Ruling political parties have always noted the potential in the future of their nations, democratic or not. Try replacing time- and situation- specific words in the below quotes, voila! do you not see Mcys lurking suspiciously somewhere in there?
In view of my recent participation in various college major-unrelated youth activities that tinker wit policy-making national issues, mom has unrelentlessly cautioned me against any (potential) interest in joining the local opposition whenever I try bringing up any contentious topic. When does intellectual banter and stimulating discussion cross the fine line to dissident opinions that mainstream propaganda has so tirelessly labelled oppositionist?
The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you. The world belongs to you. China's future belongs to you.
The new Government headed by PM Lee Hsien Loong has sent a clear signal that it wants greater participation from the youths in shaping Singapore's future. He has called on younger Singaporeans to "step forward to make a difference to yourselves, to your fellow citizens and to Singapore" to shape our future together. (Source)
The young people are the most active and vital force in society. They are the most eager to learn and the least conservative in their thinking. This is especially so in the era of socialism. We hope that the local Party organizations in various places will help and work with the Youth League organizations and go into the question of bringing into full play the energy of our youth in particular. The Party organizations should not treat them in the same way as everybody else and ignore their special characteristics. Of course, the young people should learn from the old and other adults, and should strive as much as possible to engage in all sorts of useful activities with their agreement.
The renamed Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will play a more active role in formulating programmes and working with other ministries to tap the energy, passion and idealism of these young Singaporeans. (Source)
Apart from continuing to act in co-ordination with the Party in its central task, the Youth League should do its own work to suit the special characteristics of youth. New China must care for her youth and show concern for the growth of the younger generation. Young people have to study and work, but they are at the age of physical growth. Therefore, full attention must be paid both to their work and study and to their recreation, sport and rest.
MCYS will evaluate the needs, opportunities and resources in the youth sector. The contributions from our young people will help shape the framework for youth in Singapore, and will form the basis for the future programmes of the MCYS, National Youth Council and the various youth organisations in Singapore. (Source)
Our concern should extend to non-Party cadres as well as to Party cadres. There are many capable people outside the Party whom we must not ignore. The duty of every Communist is to rid himself of aloofness and arrogance and to work well with non-Party cadres, give them sincere help, have a warm, comradely attitude towards them and enlist their initiative in the great cause of resisting Japan and reconstructing the nation.
The trust, respect and commitment of the younger generation would come from a greater sense of shared ownership in nation building. This would be achieved through more consultation and consensus building, and allowing greater involvement and participation in policy formulation. (Source)
At first it seems a refreshing change in emphasis for our government's policies, almost like a You Finally Noticed Me In That Corner You Really (Really) Want To Hear What I Think revelation. Then conversations wit a friend active in aussie youth politics revealed that this is hardly something new. Ruling political parties have always noted the potential in the future of their nations, democratic or not. Try replacing time- and situation- specific words in the below quotes, voila! do you not see Mcys lurking suspiciously somewhere in there?
In view of my recent participation in various college major-unrelated youth activities that tinker wit policy-making national issues, mom has unrelentlessly cautioned me against any (potential) interest in joining the local opposition whenever I try bringing up any contentious topic. When does intellectual banter and stimulating discussion cross the fine line to dissident opinions that mainstream propaganda has so tirelessly labelled oppositionist?
The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you. The world belongs to you. China's future belongs to you.
Talk at a meeting with Chinese students and trainees in Moscow (November 17, 1957).
The new Government headed by PM Lee Hsien Loong has sent a clear signal that it wants greater participation from the youths in shaping Singapore's future. He has called on younger Singaporeans to "step forward to make a difference to yourselves, to your fellow citizens and to Singapore" to shape our future together. (Source)
The young people are the most active and vital force in society. They are the most eager to learn and the least conservative in their thinking. This is especially so in the era of socialism. We hope that the local Party organizations in various places will help and work with the Youth League organizations and go into the question of bringing into full play the energy of our youth in particular. The Party organizations should not treat them in the same way as everybody else and ignore their special characteristics. Of course, the young people should learn from the old and other adults, and should strive as much as possible to engage in all sorts of useful activities with their agreement.
Introductory note to "A Youth Shock Brigade of the No. 9 Agricultural Producers' Co-operative in Hsinping Township, Chungshan County" (1955), The Socialist Upsurge in China's Countryside, Chinese ed., Vol. III.
The renamed Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will play a more active role in formulating programmes and working with other ministries to tap the energy, passion and idealism of these young Singaporeans. (Source)
Apart from continuing to act in co-ordination with the Party in its central task, the Youth League should do its own work to suit the special characteristics of youth. New China must care for her youth and show concern for the growth of the younger generation. Young people have to study and work, but they are at the age of physical growth. Therefore, full attention must be paid both to their work and study and to their recreation, sport and rest.
Talk at the reception for the Presidium of the Second National Congress of the Youth League (June 30, 1953).
MCYS will evaluate the needs, opportunities and resources in the youth sector. The contributions from our young people will help shape the framework for youth in Singapore, and will form the basis for the future programmes of the MCYS, National Youth Council and the various youth organisations in Singapore. (Source)
Our concern should extend to non-Party cadres as well as to Party cadres. There are many capable people outside the Party whom we must not ignore. The duty of every Communist is to rid himself of aloofness and arrogance and to work well with non-Party cadres, give them sincere help, have a warm, comradely attitude towards them and enlist their initiative in the great cause of resisting Japan and reconstructing the nation.
"The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War" (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 202.
The trust, respect and commitment of the younger generation would come from a greater sense of shared ownership in nation building. This would be achieved through more consultation and consensus building, and allowing greater involvement and participation in policy formulation. (Source)
