The transition from 1999 to 2000 was most memorable as it marked the start of a new millennium. For those who are now old enough to remember, it was a much-anticipated New Year’s Eve. Humanity sighed with relief as it passed without incident — despite the hype created by the so-called Y2K or millennium bug.

Images flashed on cable TV of New Year celebrations worldwide were awesome and breathtaking. Starting with New Zealand and Australia, then on to Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, then finally to the US, where the famous giant ball countdown in Times Square, New York highlighted the inexorable march of time. Famous landmarks were shown: the Sydney Opera House, the Tokyo Tower, Jerusalem Dome, Eiffel Tower Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and many more familiar sights.

But the images from South Africa were the most memorable. Cameras zoomed in on Robben Island off Cape Town, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned before he was elected president in 1992 following the dismantling of apartheid rule. His successor, Thabo Mbeki, was shown with a schoolboy as they walked towards the reconstructed room that used to be Mandela’s prison cell. The boy lit a candle to symbolize the hopes and dreams of his fellow youth for the future of their country.

Indeed, the candle glow is more radiant than the burst of fireworks.

New Year 2024 comes after a year of transition and turmoil. In May 2023, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 was over as a global health emergency. Then in October, the Israel-Hamas war began, while the Russia-Ukraine appeared to be headed toward a war of attrition in which neither side could claim a clear advantage.

India has surpassed China as the world’s most populous country. While India’s median age is projected at 39 by mid-century as its population grows to 1.7 billion, China’s median age will reach 51 amid a population decline of around 100 million. Thus emerges the concept of demographic dividend: “Countries with younger, growing populations tend to have more vibrant workforces that consume more, and as a result, enjoy higher economic growth rates.”

People are a country’s most valuable resource. Quality of education shapes competence and competitiveness. The Philippines is similarly poised to reap its own demographic dividend, with a predominantly youthful population. Vital steps must be taken to ensure proper nutrition of the newly born and preschool youth, and address competency gaps in basic education, for this goal to reach full fruition. It is a complex, multifaceted challenge that requires committed action by the government, the citizenry, and all stakeholders.
After the din of the fireworks and noise on New Year’s Eve have faded, it is imperative to focus attention on our children’s classrooms — where the work of building a stronger nation takes place every day.

Let the candle of hope burn brightly and its radiant glow inspire us all toward a more beneficial New Year 2024!