Malawi VP Chilima says govt commits to developing young generation
May 13, 2016 Arnold Namanja- Mana 2 Comments
Malawi State Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima has reaffirmed government commitment to empowering the young generation by providing the necessary support in order to create opportunities for personal development.
Chilima joins the rest of the delegates in singing the Malawi national Anthem during the Rotary International District 9210 conference. Pic Arnold Namanja (MANA)
The Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima plants a tree at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge as symbol of a strong relationship between four countries making Rotary International District 9210. Pic Arnold Namanja (MANA)
A cross section of the delegates to the 9210 Rotary Club International conference underway in Mangochi. Pic Arnols Namanja (MANA
Chilima said government would remain committed to developing the next generation through the education sector by providing the necessary support for those in need to create opportunities to ensure personal development.
"It is our shared responsibility both as government and as Rotarians to listen to the young people, nurture them, respond to their needs and empower them with the requisite knowledge and skills to make our world a better place," said Chilima.
He observed that the Rotary Club has its presence almost everywhere through various means and programmes one of which focuses on the future generation, saying: "We need to place a strong focus on providing guidance and support to our younger generation."
The vice president was speaking on Thursday at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi when he opened a three day Rotary Club International District 9210 conference. District 9210 comprises clubs from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Chilima commended the Rotarians for complementing government in its national development programmes, noting that the popular FINCA, a micro — financing institution with presence across the country was established with support from Rotary Club to assist the poor in rural areas access funds for starting up small scale businesses.
"Over the years FINCA has played a pivotal role in empowering families through business loans — Rotary Club was also instrumental in eradicating polio 20 years ago.
"Not only that, the involvement of Rotarians in the health sector is clear for all to see since they have arranged for specialized operations at Kamuzu Central Hospital and they are also behind the establishment of Beit Cure in Blantyre," he pointed out.
Chilima also said government is grateful to Rotary Club for the numerous development initiatives including provision of potable water through the sinking of boreholes throughout the country.
He also said government is impressed with the project on ethics which the Rotary Club of Lilongwe has embarked on in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Malawi and the Anti Corruption Bureau which attempts to advance ethical standards in the country.
"I was personally impressed with the project because it will go a long way in restoring ethical standards in the civil service. Ethical standards and mindset change is of paramount importance to the government as it has been said more than once by President Peter Mutharika," he said.
"Mindset change is a vital ingredient in our journey to reforming the civil service. The President has always preached about patriotism, hard work and integrity," Chilima emphasised.
Rotary Club International Director, Michael Webb advised Rotary Club members to strive at attracting more young members while not alienating old members to keep institutional memory.
Webb who is also Rotary club International President personal representative encouraged Rotarians to embrace changes in customs and attitudes to reflect changes taking place across the world.
"Since 1943 adherence to ethical standards has been a yardstick for doing business in the Rotary family," he said. "We need to lead by example all the time whether in social or business circles."
Webb thanked government for supporting Rotary Club interventions especially in the health sector where a lot of vocational programmes have been implemented. He said recently a team of 22 medical specialists from India were in Malawi to carry out cataract operations.
District Governor 9210, Dean Lungu said the conference would serve as a platform for sharing highlights and honour the extra — ordinary efforts by Club members in their pursuit to improving the social and economic status of communities in their localities.
"In the past few years we have seen key fundamentals being brought back where growth and integrity has been achieved, this has been as a result of the support that government has given through its expertise," Lungu enthused.
Lungu, therefore, encouraged his fellow Rotarians to embrace challenges facing their respective countries as a springboard for coming up with innovations on how to serve communities more effectively and efficiently.
The theme of the conference which has attracted over 400 Rotarians and Rotaractors from Clubs in the four countries is: Be a gift to the World.
National Youth PolicySaulos Chilima
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Dr Tonde
Quota system is good don't listen to misguided people like Ujeni comment number 1 and his evil pastor Levi nyondo. They don't know what they are talking about
Ujeni
Get rid of the Quota System. It is a very oppressive mechanism for the young and bright . You can not develop/empower youth when one sector of the population feels marginalized by this tribalistic, retrogressive system that rewards the not so bright youths. Developing a bright young generation should be done on merit otherwise 10 years down the road we will be in the same position.
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