Lyna Mohamad
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) together with Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BRC) organised an in-person Southeast Asia (SEA) Youth Forum 2022 from Monday to yesterday, aimed at bridging the gap between SEA leadership and youth leaders.
The three-day forum at Wafa Hotel and Apartment, opened with a welcoming address by Deputy President of BRC Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Ibrahim as Chairman of the SEA Youth Forum 2022 organising committee. This was followed by a keynote address by IFRC, and remarks and official launch of the forum by BRC President Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yussoff bin Pengiran Haji Bahar as the guest of honour.
The in-person forum saw SEA youth leaders and staff share their thoughts on the movement strategies from the youth perspective and also served the scope of updating and discussing the ASEAN Memorandum, where youth can contribute and participate by providing input to ASEAN representatives.
SEA youth leaders discussed and debated the use of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Seven Fundamental Principles from the past, present and future to be applicable in the 21st Century.
Together with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives, youth leaders discussed international humanitarian law (IHL) and how the youth can play an important role in promoting IHL and its implementation. Youth representatives made a joint statement which will be presented during the opening ceremony of the SEA Leadership forum today.
Leaders and youth leaders will have a round table meeting to further discuss the future of youth engagement in the National Societies.
The event was hosted by the BRC with support from the SEAYN National Societies, IFRC, and the Italian Red Cross with logistical support provided by IFRC for in-country activities and costs in cooperation with the hosting national society and with financial support of IFRC Bangkok Country Cluster (CC) and the Italian Red Cross.
The forum was facilitated by SEA Youth and Volunteer Senior Officer, IFRC Nattorn Sornvai, Youth Volunteer MRCS and IFRC Youth Commission Member Michelle Shi Jie Chew, Communication Officer, ICRC Aishah Mohd Amin along with five BRC volunteers as note takers and group facilitators.
The youth forum was set with the objectives to enhance and develop 21st Century skills including types of leaders – situational, empathetic, inclusion, and active listening in revitalising RCRC movement contents by jointly discussing and debating on Movement Strategies, ASEAN Memorandum, IHL, and Seven Fundamental Principles.
It also aims to develop a SEA Youth joint statement to be presented during the opening ceremony of the SEA Leadership Forum and organise roundtable meetings to discuss the future of youth engagement in National Societies.