| Rokiah Mahmud |
THE Brunei Young Leaders Convention (BYLC) 2018 officially kicked off yesterday at the Goldstone Ballroom of The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong.
The first-of-its-kind event, organised by Al-Huffaz Management and Generasi Berkarih and launched by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, will continue until tomorrow.
The convention’s objective is to gather youth development agencies and youth between the ages of 18 to 40 in a common setting, where they will be provided with updated information on Brunei Vision 2035 and given the opportunity to plan projects or programmes in support of the long-term development plan.
Some 200 youth of various backgrounds will participate in the convention, including representatives from the Government of 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, local NGOs, as well as specialists and professionals from various fields.
The event’s theme, ‘Believe, Empower, Lead, Inspire and Act’ or ‘BELIA’, serves to highlight a paradigm shift or mindset change that is required among the youth to achieve Brunei Vision 2035.
Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad, who is also the convention leader said that the event will focus on three main objectives: Producing well-educated and highly skilled citizens; creating a high standard of living among Bruneians; and realising a dynamic and sustainable economy.
The launching also saw the minister presenting certificates of appreciation to the event sponsors and supporters.
This was followed by a keynote presentation on Brunei Vision 2035 delivered by Administrative Officer Special Grade of the Sekretariat Tetap Wawasan Brunei 2035 Muhammad Aziman bin Haji Awang Nasir.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports then facilitated a sharing session called ‘Youth Snapshot’, where a number of youth speakers shared their experiences in pursuing their goals and dreams.
A session titled ‘Be the Change’ was held later in the afternoon by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), followed by a networking session for the convention’s youth mentors and all participants.