By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 22: The younger generation must be prepared to protect the unity in Sarawak and face the new and unfamiliar challenges in this rapidly changing world.
Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) chief executive Datu Aloysius J Dris pointed out that unity is not just about race and religion but includes the unity between the young and old, unity between different social groups, unity between political groups and unity within Sarawak and Malaysia.
“Your generation has grown up in a time where the world is moving faster than ever before. Technology is advancing rapidly and the world is more connected now in ways that we could not imagine during my time.
“With all these developments, comes new and unfamiliar challenges. Therefore, we need to prepare everyone, especially our young people to be ready to accept the challenges of tomorrow,” he said when addressing YPS’ Strength Through Unity, Alliance and Responsive Action (Suara) programme held in Miri today.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also delivered his messages to the youth virtually in his keynote address at the event.
Aloysius emphasised that the idea behind the Suara Project is to give a voice to the youth to bring in new energy, ideas and ways of doing things.
“We are here today to hear from the youth. The continuation of the unity that we see here today in Sarawak will depend on our young people,” he added.
YPS, he continued, was established to provide opportunities for young people to come together, not just to listen to the older generation, but to create more spaces for unity to be nurtured.
“It is the younger generation who must be prepared to take on the challenges that might threaten our unity,” he said.
It is for this reason, he added, that Suara Project has five domains – shared vision and identity, socio economic development, intergenerational understanding, youth political participation and activation, and religious harmony.
“These domains touch on the various aspects of unity, which are essential to the preservation of the unity that we have inherited from those who have come before us.
“I hope all Miri participants can bring more ideas and are even more innovative than our Kuching participants.
“Learn from one another and listen especially to those who don’t agree with you. Know that this experience will add great value to you and your future,” he encouraged the participants.
The Suara Project was kicked off in Kuching with a two-day workshop last week that saw 48 passionate and enthusiastic participants.
Aloysius also urged participants who will be selected in each workshop to be prepared to meet the Chief Minister in-person after the completion of the Suara project and share with him their opinions earnestly.
“Listen to new perspectives respectfully and work together to come up with the best solutions to strengthen our unity and harmony,” he advised.
Suara is a collaborative project between YPS, Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and Badger Group Sdn Bhd. The Project is to better understand the growing importance and potential for youth participation in the discourse of development in Sarawak.
The Project creates an opportunity for diverse youth all over Sarawak to discuss and chart the direction of Sarawak through interactive and shared experience.
The Project will be held in Bintulu next on Feb 12-13 and Sibu on Feb 19-20. Youth who are interested can register through projectsuara.com or contact suara@obgrp.com for more information.— DayakDaily
