New Year Message 2011

Rounding up 2010, I must admit that this has been one of the most productive year for me. I am en route to completing my Master's in Diplomatic Studies, my novel is complete and currently under review for publication, and politically speaking - the UK has seen a great change to having the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party join forces in a Coalition Government to run the country. The country is in a bit of mess though. Students' are rioting on the streets due to an increase of annual tuition fees risen from £3000 to £9000, many household benefits have been cut to force people back to work - specifically those under 25 who already have a family, and as of 4th January 2011, our VAT (value added tax) is rising to a staggering 20%. London is not going to be an easy place to live next year, especially if looking for a job will cause some difficulty. But looking on the bright side, Britain seems secure with its relationship with other countries and with all these public financial increase, let's hope that the national debt actually decreases as the government has promised us.

What has 2010 taught us? That war benefits no-one. If Tony Blair's Labour Party did not send Britain to war with Iraq, our social benefits and educational system would not have been suffering as much as it is now. The Coalition Government have to deal with a lot of financial slack which makes them quite unpopular, but someone has to clean up the mess and I think it is better that two parties of polar opposite views have put their differences aside to do the job. Diplomatic secrets revealed by WikiLeaks has taught the world that social media is ever more powerful than traditional media, and that the individual has more freedom of speech and transparency than ever. But I would like to stress a hint of warning. Rupert Murdoch plans to buy the rest of BSkyB TV, and if this happens then he will have control of more than half of the UK national newspapers and television, which endangers our media democracy and freedom of speech, and we can't let corporations and certain individuals turn industries into monopolies of power.

On another note, the world is hanging by a thread with its commitment towards reducing the carbon footprint of industrial nations, the effects it has on climate change, and the promise for all nations to reduce the proliferation of nuclear weapons. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work done by ItsOneHumanity in presenting global youth voices in regards to climate change at COP16 Cancun in Mexico this year, as well as The Art Effect team in Seattle which empowers and mobilises youth leaders to create social through education, artistic expression ad community engagement. I am proud of my many friends who are taking initiatives to lead the next generation in important political issues that are limiting the life of the future.

2011 will be another incredibly busy year but I am positive that leaders of the youth world, alongside with members of embassies and world leaders, will look into the best interest of its citizens over national interest, and will prioritise its funds towards better human security. This statement is extremely idealistic, but without having hope, one will never be motivated enough to do the best they can.

I want to leave you with a video from our Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (leader of the Liberal Democrats), and I want to wish you all a happy and prosperous start of the New Year. (above)