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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 4. 1966.

Letters — Operation 21 reply

Letters

Operation 21 reply

Sir—A teach-in on the "Economics and Politics of World Hunger"—to be sponsored by Operation 21 in the Victoria University common rooms on Anzac Day—will answer most of the questions posed in last issue's Salient editorial.

But the criticism of the aims and effectiveness of the New Zealand youth against hunger campaign needs to be replied to now.

Your leader writer "H.B.R." was "distinctly unimpressed" with what he called the "main statement of its (Operation 21) aims" —a brochure titled "Youth Against Hunger."

This brochure, by no means the main statement of aims, was designed and published late last year for distribution early in February this year, to give young people a basic outline of Operation 21—its background, its purpose, its broad programme ideas, and its possible achievements.

That is all the brochure attempted to achieve—it was a stimulant, to give basic information on the problem of world hunger and its extent, and to outline some of the ways New Zealand youth, as part of the world-wide youth mobilisation appeal, could assist in planning and organising a programme.

The world-wide youth movement was initiated to give young people their say in the problems of the world—to involve them in a programme first to educate and inform themselves and other young New Zealanders, and to follow up with action projects to help people of developing countries to help themselves.

If a clearly-defined, strictly-organised programme of overseas aid was organised for young people to participate in, would it encourage any thought on behalf of the participants? Would they really involve themselves by taking a few shillings out of their pockets to "help the hungry?"

The need in the world today demands much more from today's youth, who will inherit tomorrow's world—whatever sort of mess it's in. It's our task to start building a better world now.

Youth's initiative, enthusiasm, energy and time have been called for by Operation 21—and through-out the country youth have responded.

Operation 21 has been wholly organised and planned by young people, representatives of all main youth organisations in New Zealand—Christian youth movements, service and uniform groups, specialised clubs, and students' groups.

The NZUSA has been represented on the National Working Committee since its beginning last November, and university student representatives have been actively involved on local committees and groups throughout the country.

The task of representatives on all committees, but particularly the national one, was to make the organisers aware of the peculiarities of their particular organisation—its needs in way of further information, project suggestions, and ideas for a programme.

Most organisations have made sure their members were aware of Operation 21—and were given ideas as to how they, as an organisation, or as individuals, could take part in the programme.

Your leader writer could not "imagine a proposal less likely to inspire university students to action." Should we apologise when we say it has inspired university students to action—hundreds of them, in fact, from Auckland to Dunedin.

In the Wellington area, Victoria students are members of the local committees—they have been particularly aware of the students' needs in planning the Teach-in for Anzac Day.

The editorial quoted parts of the brochure—but not other parts, which answered, at least in part, some of the questions posed by "H.B.R."

One part in particular was the quotation from the Young World Assembly of the Freedom From Hunger Campaign last year in Rome, from where the Young World Mobilisation Appeal was launched:

"This suffering (of hunger) can and must be stopped. When all of us, whether we live with it, or far away in the rich well-fed countries", make up our minds to end this hunger, we can do it.

"Our generation has the power and knowledge that no previous, generation has ever had. With these we must create a world in which the human spirit is set free from hunger and want forever."

Yes, because people are hungry we must help them, Why? Because we can help. We are in a position to help.

The manifesto, signed by New Zealand representative at the Assembly, Mr. Barrie Devenport, National President of Operation 21, appealed to rich countries to "share their wealth."

It further said: "If you are educated in special knowledge and skills do not accept the old priorities. Know that science and technology, that can send men into space, need only to be released into the poor lands to work even greater miracles. See that your skills are used to help the needy.

"If you are a young parent, resolve to end the suffering of children. Know, too, how to plan the size of your family, so that the progress of all is not compromised.

"Above all, we must show our willingness to work for world development and demand that we be given the opportunity to do so. Mankind is one family in which each of us has the duty to help the other."

Operation 21 is not only acting as a channel for overseas aid from New Zealand youth, but is providing a platform and a voice for young people to make themselves heard.

Operation 21 is examining the aims of overseas aid, taking into account the "economic realities of the situation," but not ignoring the very real political and religious views.

Thousands of young people in New Zealand care about the problems in the world—and many are expressing that concern through Operation 21. They are dissatisfied with the suffering in the world—they are looking for the best ways to help.

Thousands are thinking, talking and acting—the world hunger problem is becoming a concern of theirs. Operation 21 is giving young people this opportunity to think, talk and act.

Thousands are grasping at the opportunities of service which Operation 21 offers—whether to serve overseas, or in New Zealand to make others aware of hunger, and to invite their assistance.

To quote the brochure: "Hunger is the world's greatest problem. And it's a problem that's getting worse. The world needs your help desperately."

I hope this reply puts the position of Operation 21 in the right perspective—and recommend that all students attend the teach-in on Anzac Day to hear qualified speakers attempt to answer the vital questions of our day.

Ken Hickson

Organising Secretary, Operation 21.