HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim attended a youth dialogue yesterday, which was held at the Tutong District’s Civic Centre.

Under the initiative of His Royal Highness, the dialogue acted as a platform for youths to “voice out” their ideas, views, hopes and aspirations on the challenges facing youths as well as on the contributions that youths can make to society and nation.

The dialogue, co-chaired by HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports was also attended by top officials and representatives of the government.

According to the minister, this marked the fifth time that the youth dialogue has been held, with the first occasion being October 2, 2010, with the theme “Youth’s Voice, the Voice of the Future”.

Then, on August 15, 2011, it discussed topics that covered the creative industry and entrepreneurship.

On February 9, 2012, another youth dialogue was held, which focused on volunteerism and empowering leadership among the youths.

The fourth dialogue was held on April 18 last year, with the theme “My Family, My Hope” in conjunction with the National Family Day celebrations.

During yesterday’s dialogue, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair urged the youths to wisely and collectively use the Brunei Darussalam National Youths Council’s channel as an institution (Institusi Muzakarah Belia-belia) for them to exchange their views, to discuss their interests and to plan activities beneficial to development.

The minister said that it is most disheartening to hear people who say that “there is no channel in the country for the youths to voice out their views and opinions”.

He added that members of the young generation in the Sultanate are fortunate to have received the level of attention from His Majesty’s Government in aspects of development, education and human capital.

The minister highlighted that this level of attention is further shown with the theme given for the 2013/2014 budget which is “Visionary Youths are the Catalyst for Resilient National Development”.

The budget’s additional provision of $1 million towards youth development programmes, especially in the fields of entrepreneurship and skill training, shows the government’s strong attention to the development of youths in the country.

The minister stressed that future developments, especially in the economy, very much depend on the development of youths as human capital to lead in nation-building.

He added that it is hoped youths will make use of what is given to them and join forces in matters that are serious and relevant towards implementing programmes and activities related to youth development.

The minister said that with the slogan “By the Youth for the Youth”, youths must contribute towards strengthening the national development as they are an important asset.

The national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) must also be upheld in support of the National Vision 2035 and aspirations for a Zikir nation.

Pehin Dato Hj Hazair hoped that this time around during the youth dialogue, the discussion will not only bring about issues related to youth potential and capacity but also issues related to crucial topics for the youths, which are jobs and unemployment.

The minister also took the opportunity to ask youths in the Sultanate to support and help enliven the Family Day celebration on May 15, 2013, towards strengthening the family institution in the country.

By holding the youth dialogue, it is hoped that youths will become more proactive, dynamic and innovative in the shared responsibility towards nation-building. - Borneo Bulletin (12 April 2013)