The 19th ASEAN and 9th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum were launched at the Bridex Banquet Hall on Monday evening.
Around 145 delegates from 20 ASEAN University Network (AUN) members and seven partners from China, Japan and South Korea are participating in the six-day forum, which aims to highlight diversity and commonalities within the ASEAN+3 region through meaningful dialogues centred on artistic and cultural experiences.
Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, the guest of honour, said the forum provides a platform for youth participants to come together, exchange ideas and co-create innovative solutions to pressing issues.
“By pooling their talents, expertise, and resources, they can amplify their impact and effect meaningful change in areas such as arts, culture, sustainability, and social development,” he said in his keynote address.
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) plays host to this year’s forum, themed ‘Futuring Together Towards Preserving Arts and Culture’.
Executive Director of AUN Dr Choltis Dhirathiti said, “ASEAN and ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum is significant not only for preserving the cultural heritage of our region but also for continuously developing and preserving our artistic legacies.
“Culture defines who we are and that the willingness to learn about other cultures tounderstand people can build bridges between communities.”
UBD Deputy Dean II of Student Affairs Section Dr Haji Rozaiman bin Haji Makmun, who is the forum’s co-chair, said the university is delighted to kick start the annual forum that showcased the collaborative arts and cultural national performances from each participating country.
The opening ceremony concluded with a collaborative performance, showcasing the newly-formed relationships and networks among the participants.
The forum features a cultural programme that includes a cross-cultural communication workshop, leadership and artistic skill development in areas such as Brunei martial arts, theatre, traditional and music as well as sessions on language diversity.
Various activities, such as academic lectures, campus tours, an ASEAN Art and Cultural Bazaar, social and educational visits, excursions and workshops, will also take place on the sidelines. – Adib Noor
