Call for greater youth involvement in community development

|     Siti Hajar     |

AS MORE and more youth step forward to take on active roles in the development of society, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday called on one of Brunei’s active non-government organisations (NGO) to invest in attracting more youth to join its cause.

During the first general meeting of the Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT), Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman praised the voluntary work that has been achieved, and expressed hope that SCOT would continue to engage youths in community development and at the same time “attract greater youth participation”.

Saying this at the ministry yesterday, the deputy minister noted that SCOT has successfully turned itself into a role model to the younger generation and that it has proven that the country’s youth are indeed the force of change – especially at a time when the realisation that today’s youth will be deciders of the country’s future is at its peak.

“We are in need of youth who understand and are passionate about the country, whose values are based on not just the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy, but also one that is a Zikir Nation,” she said.

Noting that a society cannot thrive without the involvement of its people, she emphasised there is no doubt that youth contribution – along with their dynamism, energy and ideas – would help a country progress.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman presenting an award to Mohd Fadzil ‘Afifi Hj Md Hussin. - BAHYIAH BAKIR

The milestones SCOT has achieved are testament to the positive impact that has benefitted many of the country’s less fortunate not just at the national level but also on a regional and international scale, especially with the voluntary programmes the organisation offer.

With a number of executed projects notched under their belt, that the deputy minister acknowledged as not being easy feats, she reminded that these forms of youth participation require team players who are willing to sacrifice their time and are committed to achieving the objectives of each project.

Meanwhile, in tandem with the meeting, Datin Adina presented the first Honorary Scot Award to one of the organisation’s members, whose qualification for the acknowledgement encompassed several criteria. This, she said, should be emulated by other members.

“It is with hope that this form of appreciation will fuel the enthusiasm of other SCOT members to continue their efforts, while at the same time motivate them to continue their active involvement in achieving the organisation’s vision and mission.”

 


Source: Borneo Bulletin

Author:  Siti Hajar

Published Date: October 5th, 2014

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