Make a stand, youth told

(Front row, from left) Patrick Ang, webmaster for the Malaysia Academy for Advancement of Young Scientists, Jenita Engi, 25, from the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, and Universiti Malaya student Roshidah Jusoh, 23, taking part in a group discussion on education yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Migration is not the answer for youth frustrated at the state of political awareness.
“Don’t give up on your country. Instead, be proactive in dealing with the issues that affect you. It is up to you to become aware and make the necessary changes,” said Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Delivering her keynote address at the Preliminary National Youth Consultation Conference at the Bar Council auditorium yesterday, Ambiga said the best way to make a change was not with violence, but with reason.

A total of 105 university students and young working adults attended the conference which dealt with cultural and social issues, education, politics, environment and the economy.

Plenary sessions involving a panel of speakers and workshop discussions provided a lively dialogue, allowing participants to define challenges they faced and map out an agenda for change.
Panellist and Central Market Annexe art programme director Pang Kee Teik reminded participants that change was progressive and that it was vital for Malaysia’s diverse communities to sweep aside the boundaries of race and evolve together.

Co-ordinator of the conference preparatory committee, Lee Khai Loon, 29, said such gatherings of youth from different backgrounds provided the platform for them to share ideas and become action-oriented.

Lee, who is also a convenor of Youth for Change, said it was crucial for youth to understand and question the goings-on in all sectors of society.