| Rokiah Mahmud |
YANG Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad has called on the country’s youth to get actively involved in beneficial community activities and programmes.
The activities, he said, include those organised by larger organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), mukim and village consultative councils, or schools.
The Legislative Council member added that youth involvement in such programmes can be a source of inspiration or motivation for them in their daily lives, and at the same time can help detach them from unhealthy activities or social evils.
Yang Berhormat Iswandy was speaking to the Bulletin during the opening ceremony of the Brunei Young Leaders Convention 2018 (BYLC), which runs for three days from August 7 – 9.
Some 200 youth comprising employees and individuals from the government and private sector, NGOs, associations, schools, as well as graduates and non-graduates, are participating in the convention.
During the three-day event, the participants will be able to build networks, get involved in up-and-coming projects, as well as take part in discussions and experience-sharing sessions with selected mentors from various fields and backgrounds.
“These youth could become the support system for their peers, especially those who are not involved with any association, those who are school dropouts or delinquents, as well as youth who are facing hardships and life challenges,” Yang Berhormat Iswandy said.
“They could be their mentors and reach out to them, for example by organising discussion sessions for them to share their problems. Youth that are already holding jobs, could become sort of a support system for their peers by assisting them in polishing their job hunting skills, helping them in writing good resumes, doing follow-ups on their job applications, and so on.
“As we know, the challenges faced by our youth today are different from 20 or 30 years ago. The relentless advancement of technology today have brought with it many new challenges. Therefore, we need to prepare our youth to be determined in their goals and open opportunities for them to develop further.”
Building on Yang Berhormat Iswandy’s sentiments on the ways in which society can help prevent youth from immersing themselves in unhealthy activities, founder and CEO of Al-Huffaz Management Haji Mohammad Loqman Al-Hakim bin Haji Hamdan said, “One of the ways to help them is by collaborating with the Community Development Department (JAPEM) or the Special Education Unit to identify problem youth groups and devising appropriate initiatives to help them.”