| Danial Norjidi |
ASEAN youth are crucial to future efforts to solve national, regional and global challenges, Craig Allen, the US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam said.
“Sixty-five per cent of the population in the Asean region is under the age of 35. These 400 million youth – including the 50 YSEALI Generation GR3EN delegates here today – will define the Asia-Pacific region for decades to come,” he said at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Generation GR3EN Workshop officially launched at the Radisson Hotel yesterday.
“As a result, their full participation in solving global challenges such as climate change or economic growth is critical to the development and prosperity of the region,” the ambassador said.
Organised by the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, the four-day workshop is sponsored by the US Department of State and funded through a Cooperative Agreement from the embassy to AGREA for the administration of the workshop.
Taking place from February 25 to 28, the YSEALI Generation Workshop is focused on eco-entrepreneurship, and includes 50 delegates between the ages of 20 and 35 representing each of the 10 Asean member countries.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, with Craig Allen, the US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, and other invited guests at the event. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Craig Allen delivering his speech at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Generation GR3EN Workshop
The delegates participating in the workshop are students and young professionals with experience and interest in the areas of green-business development, eco-entrepreneurship and ecotourism.
The ambassador said the event brings 50 youth from throughout Southeast Asia together to learn, share ideas and initiate action on integrating businesses and economic development with environmental protection.
“This is a positive and inspiring sign that young people care passionately about the future of the Asean region,” Ambassador Allen said.
The ambassador said YSEALI includes all Asean member countries, and focuses on four priorities: economic development and entrepreneurship, environmental protection, education and civic engagement.
“This week’s YSEALI workshop on eco-entrepreneurship touches two themes – entrepreneurship and environmental protection – and I believe it’s easy to see how easily those two themes are interconnected.”
He shared that the workshop will focus on developing a young generation of “eco-entrepreneurs” with the knowledge and skills to launch environmentally friendly green businesses in their respective countries, and even across borders with the other delegates they will meet.
“In the course of this workshop, the participants will learn the basics of green-business development and its relationship to community issues or national economic development,” he said.
“Participants will also receive training on civic engagement with regards to environmental protection. Delegates will design and refine plans for collaborative, green-business start-up projects, and in so doing will foster a regional, community spirit among Southeast Asian youth, all with green-business as a platform.”
He noted that the 10 Asean nations are richly blessed with vast natural resources, from rainforests and rivers to national parks.
“At the same time, Asean as a whole is one of the world’s fastest growing markets. There is so much potential for growth with environmental protection at the forefront of everyone’s mind – and so much of that potential resides in this room here today,” the ambassador said.
He hoped that the workshop will help the Generation GR3EN delegates increase their knowledge and skills in being an eco-entrepreneur and that each person will leave with a firm understanding of how business and the environment go hand-in-hand.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports was the guest of honour at the event.
Heads of missions and mission representatives from Asean member countries in Brunei as well as Brunei Government representatives and NGO leaders also participated.
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