The theme of the National Youth Day, ‘Future-Ready Youth’, aligns with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s desire for Bruneian youth to be equipped with knowledge and skills; are progressive; and have a strong foundation to face future challenges.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad said this in a speech during the celebration at the International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi said His Majesty’s presence in the celebration signifies care and sensitivity to youth issues, thus, the youth should be motivated to work harder towards meeting National Youth Policy and Strategy (DBNS) 2020-2035 as well as Brunei Vision 2035.
The youth as the nation’s hope bear the responsibility of leading Brunei now and in the future, hence producing brilliant and future-ready youth is the Sultanate’s goal.
“The youth need to take advantage of technological and economic transformation to advance themselves, dignify the nation and push the country’s development to a higher and sustainable level.
“A national approach is needed to ensure plans to develop youth are implemented effectively and achieve the goals of DBNS 2020-2035,” he said.
The minister shared that DBNS Action Plan 2020-2024, ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025 and ASEAN plus Three Work Plan on Youth are running smoothly. He added that the action plans are continuously updated to meet key performance indicators and goals of DBNS 2020-2035, taking into account current situations.
Regarding youth contribution towards United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG Youth Dialogue was held with stakeholders with support of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in May. A SDG youth statement was produced and made part of the voluntary national review report presented at High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York recently.
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) also announced its Sustainability Youth Leaders Award to encourage youth to produce projects impacting SDGs.
On volunteerism, the Mengalinga app, launched in 2021, recorded 340 programmes across the country with 2,700 registration from individuals and 160 from organisations. – Lyna Mohamad
