6
Present
Needs, Concerns and Problems of Students
by Elizabeth S. Tapia
There is an ongoing
trend towards commercialism, materialism and individualism which destroys the
rich cultural heritage in most Asian cultures and societies.1
The
The
voices of these two young women leaders echo the pain, problems and concerns of
university students in Asia-Pacific regions.
Today's youth and students face tremendous difficulties and challenges.
I want to share my observations and reflections on the contemporary needs,
problems and concerns of university students in Asia-Pacific societies,
particularly from the
As I write this
article. President Clinton has sent thousands of US Troops to
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and men working in the Gulf region,
including my sister, Ana, who is working in
The students in Asia-Pacific regions and elsewhere know very
well how wars, political repression, poverty, patriarchy, racism and
neo-colonialism adversely affect their lives and thwart their future. Many
students have to quit school because of the high price of books, tuition,
commuting, food and other basic needs in large cities like
To understand the needs, problems and concerns of students
and youth is to be confronted by the socio-economic, political structures that
affect people's lives and livelihood. By understanding their needs and concerns
at present, churches and concerned groups can begin to take their cause more
seriously than before, and come up with strategic actions that will change the
situations.
Although the Asia-Pacific region is viewed as exotic, it is
a vast, complex and volatile area. It has many sub-regions and cultures which
we cannot fully explore in this article.
In
colonial
experience and debilitating structures of domination;
poverty of
the many and opulence of the few;
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increasing marginalization of sections of
our national communities;
the inferior
and oppressed status of Asian women; and
growing international
militarism and repressive regimes in Asia.4
Capitalism,
neo-colonialism, feudalism continue to dominate many Asian countries. People are divided through an interlinking
web of racism, sexism, classism, casteism and militarism. Millions are poor,
unemployed, exploited, starving and dying. Those who work for justice, peace
and care of the environment suffer harassment, torture and death. Malnutrition
is rampant and hundreds of mothers die while giving birth. Children are often
forced to become adults soon by becoming wage earners of the family. Young
girls and boys are sold for prostitution. Fathers or mothers are forced to
migrate for work abroad, leaving their children behind. People work very hard,
yet they earn very little. Civil war in the
In an Asian women's consultation, women themselves analyzed
the causes of their present condition as follows:
We are alarmed by the increasing poverty and oppression
engulfing
Prof. Reynaldo Ty of the University of the
The
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The
imposition of a monopolitical system or one type of political system, which is being
assimilated in the region, is Western liberalism sometimes referred to as
democracy.
There are
specific aspects of the region: the increased role of people's organizations,
the labour movement, the peasant movement. I would also include the women's
movement and the youth movement.
The
Many
countries of the region, e.g.
Thus the general situation in
Hunger of
the stomach and hunger of the mind and spirit. Education for what? to
domesticate or to liberate?
Logic of
domination or lesson of mutuality and partnership?
Continually
increasing foreign debt means limited educational and career opportunities for
students.
Poor health
means unrealized human potential.
Poverty
means never finishing school. Poverty means being pushed to commit crimes and
use illegal drugs. Poverty means being forced to sell your body and your labour
and impoverishment of the soul. Poverty means going to school with an empty
stomach and worn out shoes.
Lack of
genuine freedom of speech. "Culture of silence"
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The
Christian youth express the need to be involved in the decision-making processes,
in all aspects of the life of the church and society.
Students in
Asia-Pacific regions need to build and to sustain solidarity with each other
and with the existing non-governmental organizations to become more effective
and strong. They also need the support
and encouragement of adults in their pursuit of peace and justice.
They need to
witness how the Church actively participates in the struggle of the oppressed
and the poor; they long to have role models who use power and resources with accountability,
mutuality and creativity.
Students and
youth long to
live in a discrimination-free society, nuclear-free
zones, they want to bathe in unpolluted rivers, not to be poisoned by the toxic
fish, and not to be harrassed or tortured because of their political and
religious beliefs. They say No to militarism, neo-colonialism, greed and
apathy.
Based on my observations in the
social and
political issues such as: human rights violations, domestic and sexual
violence, absence of peace and stability in the region, redefining power
and national security,
racism or casteism, regionalism, sexism and religious
fundamentalism;
the high cost
of college/university education;
a crowded,
unsafe, substandard housing or dormitories;
peoples'
movement and building solidarity network;
human
rights, women's rights, indigenous people's rights;
spread of AIDS,
discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS;
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breakdown
of families due to migration, civil war, etc.;
pollution
and exploitation of the environment;
the impact
of labour migration and mass tourism on the family especially children and
women;
the lack of
role models for genuine, democratic and non-hierarchical leadership in church
and in society;
educational
systems in schools and universities - do the schools become tools of domestication
or are they producers of agents for change and liberation?
pedagogical
process: are the students subjects of history and learning? Are they trained to
become critical thinkers or passive learners? Is the educational process
participatory, gender-fair, and empowering?
growing
number of school dropouts joining the labour force and being exploited by the
transnational companies;
students,
both in school and out-of-school, who succumb to the use of illegal drugs and
would eventually be involved in crimes;
cultural
alienation;
love, sex
and marriage; and
seeking
spiritual and moral guidance.
I regard the Youth of Asia as visioners and dreamers in the
midst of problems and complex concerns.
They are courageous and committed.
In a recent conference, the Christian youth of
This is our vision:
a society where all people, regardless of natural or human barriers, live in
harmony together and with all creation ...a social system that respects the
ecosystem. This is our vision: a society that...
promotes
common ownership of resources and equitable distribution of social wealth to
all people;
promotes
sustainable development based on social ecology;
is
gender-sensitive, promoting collective decision-making, providing accessible
social services to all;
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is just, upholding human rights and
environmental protection, recognizing the role of youth, women and. indigenous people
in community building, abolishing militarism in all its forms, destroying
structures that are oppressive in nature.
Furthermore, the
Christian youth of Asia point out that the realisation of such society calls
for societal transformation of the present structures, adopting an ideology
that advocates the liberation of humanity and a theology contextualized to the
people's struggles.7
With such vision, I believe women and men in
campuses, local churches and the ecumenical movement must act together "to
build and to plant" communities that yield fruits of justice, peace,
prosperity and harmony.
Dr. Elizabeth S.
Tapia teaches at the Union Theological Seminary in the