Learn from Brunei+20 seminar, youth told

PARTICIPANTS of the Brunei+20 National Youth Seminar for Sustainable Development were urged to make use of the knowledge acquired during the seminar to come up with ways to develop the country with the resources available. The seminar's Project Manager Khairunnisa Ashari, who made the call during yesterday's closing ceremony, also encouraged the youths not only inspire, but also empower their peers to follow in their footsteps.

She said youths should not just talk about "The Future We Want", which is the theme for next month's Rio+20 Conference, but also take the actual steps to create the future that they wanted.

Khairunnisa advised the youths to not let challenges and disappointments discourage them in life.

"Do not let others judge you by your passion, because without passion the world will be a boring, dull place," she said.

She lauded the participants for their "fresh ideas and optimistic view of life" and for showing a positive attitude throughout the three-day seminar.

Khairunnisa explained that "overall, the programme does not simply involve one way of learning, but participants are encouraged to seek knowledge and develop their own understanding of the concepts that make up sustainable development".

"Via the trips organised, the youths were able to learn not only theoretical definitions and examples, but to also discover a more holistic picture of the inter-connectiveness of all the things around us," she said.

The seminar was intended to provide opportunities for youths to take up the challenge involved at the Rio+20 Conference, which is a joint effort by the United Nations (UN).

The 'Youth Statement' or the list of recommendations that was delivered yesterday at the closing ceremony by the youth representatives is expected to be submitted to the Rio+20 Conference to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 20-22.

The Statement was the result of a three-day discussion which also involved visits to different institutions by the 45 participants.The event was held at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The Brunei Times