BY Hakim Hayat

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 is scheduled to grace the 17th National Youth Day celebration on August 9 at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

This was shared at a press conference at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) building chaired by Permanent Secretary (Youth) at the MCYS Awang Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin on Thursday.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Belia Siaga Masa Depan’ (Future-Ready Youth) which has been retained since 2019 to reflect the relevance in today’s situation, Haji Zakaria said.

A host of youth-centred activities including an exhibition, convention and the presentation of national youth day awards in four categories: Excellent Youth, Youth Service, Youth Leader and Youth Project.

Events such as Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, special Friday sermon, as well as a Youth Day Festival in all four districts will also be held.

“The strategy for future-ready youth is a collective responsibility between the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“Enhancing, exploring and polishing skills and potential of the future-ready youth human capital is a national strategy that must be implemented earnestly to generate excellent youth,” he added.

The permanent secretary said the theme is also in line with ASEAN’s declaration of 2022 as the year of ASEAN Youth, and is aligned with the goals of the National Youth Policy and Strategy 2020-2035 towards supporting the Brunei Vision 2035.

“The youth is vital for human resource development, apart from ensuring their involvement towards peace and understanding in support of the One ASEAN Identity aspiration,” he said.

Posters for the 17th National Youth Day celebration were also handed over to youth association representatives by Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin