Kuala lumpur: Youth have the potential to be a catalyst for the formation of a more inclusive and resilient ASEAN community based on human values through their active involvement in volunteer work and community development. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh emphasized the importance of regional activities such as the ASEAN Youth Volunteer programme in training youth to be agents of social change.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hannah Yeoh stated that regional platforms not only expose youth to volunteer work and community development but also equip them with the capability to be mobilised and deployed when needed. She highlighted the significant number of over 220 million youth within ASEAN, underscoring the potential impact they can have on the region.
“We hope to provide opportunities to youths and train them so that they can gain experience. So, one day, when their services are needed, they already know what needs to be done,” Hannah Yeoh explained. Speaking at the launch of the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Forum 2025 at Auditorium Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia, she also noted the importance of preparing youth to contribute to sustainable development and attract investments.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Nagulendran and Youth and Sports Department director-general Azura Abidin. Hannah Yeoh further mentioned that the ASEAN youth, if equipped with the necessary skills and support, could make the region a powerful force with global influence, particularly in terms of a young workforce.
The ASEAN Youth Volunteer Forum, held today, gathers young ASEAN leaders and panellists from various backgrounds for interactive discussions. The forum’s themes focus on youth volunteerism for inclusive growth, environmental change, social harmony, and community empowerment through digital tools, aligning with ASEAN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants of the forum are scheduled to visit Sabah and Sarawak from July 13-19, engaging in leadership training, community projects, regional networking, and cross-cultural exchanges.