Youth Assembly to attract 5,000 participants

KUCHING: The 2011 Youth Assembly to be held on March 18 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here is expected to attract about 5,000 participants.

Regarded as the biggest youth gathering in the state for the year, some 80 youth organisations and sports bodies all over the state have been invited to participate and add the icing on the cake, Zee Avi and Hafiz of AF7 fame would also be performing.

Speaking at a press conference at his office at Masja, Petra Jaya near here yesterday, Assistant Social Development and Urbanisation (Youth Affairs and Training of Youth) Minister Larry Sng said: “The assembly is a government initiative under our ministry to bring together youths of all ages (from 15 to 40-years old) and races to celebrate youth.

“Through such initiatives, the government aims to foster greater understanding and stronger relationship with youths.”

He also said participants could anticipate the opening of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) exhibition booths which would be unique and tailor-made to target youths.

“In the past, exhibition materials heavily targeted investors, but this time the exhibition booths would feature materials that would let youths know what SCORE has in store for them,” he added.

Sng also mentioned that for this year, six youth awards would be presented for the Disabled Person, Volunteers, Entrepreneurs, Sports and Cultural categories, including the prestigious Youth Icon award replacing last year’s Tokoh Belia.

“The recipients for each award have been selected by our committee and trust me, this year’s selection was quite competitive. Furthermore, beginning this year, we are trying to target younger recipients. Those below 35 years of age preferably,” continued Sng.

Touching on the new logo, he explained that the digitally produced image by Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology represented the organisation’s (assembly) objective.

“The main figure represents youth striving for greater heights. The solitary figure of the youth shows how one person can make a difference by engaging with the challenges of the present and become empowered to take leadership roles.

“The colours used are strong primary colours. Youth is denoted in blue and the star represents the main symbol of the Sarawak Flag.

“Bold typography is used to represent the strong characteristics of youths in the state,” he explained.

The theme for this year’s assembly is ‘Build a Future on Present Success’.

Entrance is free. More information can be obtained from its website at www.beliasarawak.com.my.

Meanwhile, a youth conference entitled ‘Tomorrow’s Leaders’ Summit’, which will talk on leadership components, will be held on March 19-20 at the same venue.

Programme organiser (Glenreagh) managing director Nordin Abdullah expects about 1,000 delegates, especially youths from the high-income group, to attend the conference.

“The summit would touch on matters related to such group. We are looking at developing youths to be high income earners, especially in SCORE because a lot of companies looking to invest there would be looking at the human capital.

“We are collaborating with a lot of universities and organisations throughout the state,” he stressed.

Nordin said that many speakers, comprising youth leaders and successful entrepreneurs, from throughout the world such as Australia, United States, India and even Africa would be giving talks.

“The format of the conference is very interactive. The youths want something which is related to them and there would be a lot of different workshops.

“Some would be related to business, some leadership while some touch on social development. It is targeting everybody and divided into a broad spectrum of contents,” he continued.

For more information on the summit, participants can browse www.tomorrowsleaders.biz.