The Editor, Sir:

Children live what they learn, and if the lessons they are taught by the present electorate are geared towards isolating themselves from the political process, which constitutes a fundamental part of our democracy, then they would have neglected one of their greatest constitutional rights, the right to vote.

Teaching our children that they can make a difference, even if they're too young to vote is a good way to spark their interest in local and national governments and the issues that drive them.

Children must be taught to be civic-minded, how their political representatives are paid, what the representative's responsibilities are and how they affected communities. They should be encouraged to volunteer for grassroots charities, write letters to politicians, social participation and they need to understand the importance of these. Schools must teach civic education, political parties must present the issues that speak to youths, community youth clubs must exert greater attention to community affairs.

By not voting young people miss out on having a say on issues such as education, abortion, and the economy. Politics must be brought to a level where children can see how it affects them directly, so that they can take steps to address them by the right to vote.

I am, etc.,

RICARDO WILKS

ricardowilks@hotmail.com

Youth Advocate