2011 Scholarship Entry #67: Punit Virk

Today's generation of youth is immersed entirely in the vast advancements of technology. With the availability of gaming systems such as the XBOX 360, Play Station 3, and the growing popularity of social networks, such as Facebook and MySpace, young people are spending increasingly large amounts of time attached to the computer screen. As a result, it's less likely they'll be found reading the newspaper, flipping the channel to CBC or even having the slightest clue of major world events. As result one of the biggest challenges facing my generation is the increasing use of video games, social media, and other technological devices as a distraction from youth involvement in government, and global issues. It's imperative that youth maintain involvement in our dynamic and growing world. If we're attached to our TV screen with gaming devices surrounding us, then how do we ensure the voice of our generation is clearly heard? Youngsters should be encouraged to travel, getting out of their comfort zones and getting to know the world, in the process taking the initial steps in changing it.

My keen interest in government and passion for science has led me to pursue my interests at the University of Alberta, with a major in Biological Sciences and minor in Political Science. By taking Political Science, I hope to use the knowledge I'll gain on government, policy, and international affairs, to better understand how youth can become more involved in society and government. I hope to use my experiences and education to better assist my generation in overcoming apathy and indifference; as such I am participating as a Youth Action Facilitator for the 2011 Global Youth Assembly, where I assist students implement their creative solutions and ideas into action.

I want to see change, and to see change I will without question help bring it, and initiative a movement of youth involvement! To engage youth in worldly problems and spark motivation and interest in issues of paramount importance, I myself and several of my friends have started a youth initiative, titled 'MUNEY'- Model United Nations for Edmonton Youth. We are currently working at constructing a United Nation simulation using current issues, to engage city children in world affairs by developing unique solutions to our world's problems through debate, position papers, and role play. In our program we will be providing students across the city with access to resources and the tools they need to become Global Citizens, our main objective out of this initiative is to get today's youth to become act members of society. As our program expands we hope to involve junior high students, and students in rural parts of Alberta, the more students we get involved, the stronger the message, and the greater the difference we can make in our world! Together, with the right resources and education, we the next generation of voters, taxpayers, and professionals can stand above adversity and take action in our world.