Three Bruneians to take part in Apec youth forum

THREE Bruneian youths will be joining delegates from Apec countries to bring forward environmental and economic issues as youths' input for world and business leaders at the Asia-Pacific grouping's Voices of the Future (VOF) 2009 event.

Along with 120 youth delegates from 21 countries, the individuals will exchange ideas and solutions on sustainable development in the Apec economies to be held in Singapore from November 9-15.

Hjh Siti Rafidzah Hj Sulaiman, Nurliyana Fatin Arifin and Anwar Hj Mohammad were selected by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports based on their submission of essays on the theme of Apec 2009, "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region" on the roles youth play in the sustainable development of Apec economies.

In an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times, Hjh Siti Rafidzah from Universiti Brunei Darussalam Women's Graduates Association hopes to gain knowledge through the exchange of best practices among foreign youth representatives on raising awareness of each country in the challenging global economic environment.

"With the constraints on finance and infrastructure, foreign countries have succeeded in creating environmental awareness to their community, despite the problems they face and to impart knowledge among the participating youths of the respective countries," she said.

Hjh Siti Rafidzah said that she would look into issues raised by other foreign delegates on how they overcame the constraints.

Efforts by the youth delegates have now gained even greater importance in the face of challenging global economic and environment issues relevant towards the theme this year's Apec," said the 27-year-old.

Another delegate, Nurliyana Fatin Arifin, hopes to promote youths' role in sustainable development.

"Youths should be involved at the grassroots level to work together with the community and understand their purpose to contribute to sustainable development," she said, adding that the Apec VOF programme would serve as a platform to encourage active participation of more young Bruneians.

"We (youth delegates) are also excited as we are given the opportunity to observe the Apec CEO Summit, and meet Apec economic and business leaders," said the 23-year-old.

Nurliyana Fatin highlighted that youths in Brunei are now voicing out their concerns on environmental and economical issues in the country, through participation in the community, such as the Sounds of Hope concert to help the needy.

As part of the programme, the foreign youths will also take part in a tea session with Singaporean President S R Nathan. The delegates will also be taken on a tour to Singapore's Night Safari, the Marina Barrage and the Housing Development Building (HDB) Heartlands.

The Apec VOF 2009 is organised by Singapore's National Youth Council in cooperation with the country's Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the National Youth Achievement Award Council.

VOF 2009 was expected to bring together 120 youth delegates, aged 18 to 25, from 21 Apec economies to deliberate and explore issues relevant to this year's theme.

The Brunei Times