The consequences of such trends are graver for the future of our children and young people than for any other part of society, as suspicion and indifference not only fuel the spread of prejudice, but have the most disturbing capacity to extinguish a social conscience within our young people.Young teenagers, in particular, are all too often written off by their neighbourhoods as problematic and lacking in respect when, in reality, such young people are unrivalled in their“acute sense of justice, ... eagerness to learn”and their“desire to contribute to ... a better world.”Neighbourhoods must not be left to the paralysis of apathy and anonymity, but must be empowered by their leaders and encouraged to come together in starting their own innovative and sustainable projects for social integration.Youth and voluntary work, after-school initiatives, youth groups, environmental projects, local sports clubs and Sunday schools are some of the countless activities that create the heartbeat of a community and give young people of all backgrounds ownership over their own development, the power of expression, moral clarity, skills for service and the opportunity to forge lasting friendships.Young people are ready to make a contribution to the progressive development of their communities, but they need to be afforded the necessary tools and support mechanisms to use their real potential as part of a vital, spiritual learning process that occurs outside formal education, just as those members of the community who take pains to set up activities that engage and motivate our youth must also be acknowledged, valued and supported.Never has the need to transform how we guide and assist our young people been more urgent than now. Nurturing a new...