THE Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT) yesterday launched its first ‘Youth Against Poverty (YAP)’ workshop, gathering 27 local youth between the ages of 17 and 27 years old.
The three-day workshop is being held at the Youth Centre in the capital.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin officiated the opening ceremony.
The project manager of the workshop, Mohd Hazimi bin Haji Jaidi, highlighted SCOT’s mission statement which is to be the catalyst for sustainable poverty alleviation in Brunei.
“Eradicating poverty has been highlighted as one of the aims and action plans 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’s Government through the Brunei Vision 2035, and this project aims to not only increase public awareness of the issue of poverty in Brunei, but to also train and educate the youths concerning poverty issues in Brunei,” he said.
“This also includes to aid and amplify existing efforts for continued improvements in the country’s standard of living in terms of achieving zero poverty and also to encourage civic engagement by facilitating collaborations concerning poverty eradication and problems among participants and local authorities and non-government organisations (NGOs)”.
The commencement of the workshop saw a forum discussion on ‘The Role of Different Stakeholders in Achieving Zero Poverty’ which was moderated by Stuart Lee from Toastmasters International and panellist speakers, Nur Judy Abdullah from Brunei Council on Social Welfare (MKM), Dayangku Siti Saihalina binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Daud from the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and Mohd Khairul Azmi bin Haji Mohd Salleh from SCOT.
Themed ‘Educate. Empower. Execute,’ the workshop will include forum discussions, incorporate various activities such as ‘Learning Journey’ (Community Visit) which aims to enlighten and empower participants to fully understand the living conditions and situation of the underprivileged in Brunei, Focus Group Discussion and Project Pitching Presentation.
Mohd Hazimi said, “Upon completion of the workshop, participants will then be encouraged to flourish, elaborate and pitch their project idea based on the ideas they came up with during the Focus Group Discussions activity during the workshop to an appointed panel of judge.”
The group with the most creative and innovative idea will be awarded with a $500 grant along with aid and guidance from SCOT and support from the local authorities and other established institutions in Brunei.
The launch ended with the presentations of a token of appreciation to the guest of honour and certificates to panel speakers and sponsors.
Also in attendance were government officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Telekom Brunei Berhad CEO David Kay, and representatives from Battle Pro Marketing & Management Services, Ideal Café and Grill, Seri Damai Restaurant and Catering, Ajwa Kitchen and Digital Indesign.
Source: Borneo Bulletin
Author: Syazwani Hj Rosli
Published Date: August 20th, 2016
