Empowering a More Equitable and Inclusive #BangsaMalaysia with Youth P.A.C.T

13 June 2023 – For a second year, Taylor’s College and the Malaysian Institute for Debate & Public Speaking (MIDP) will be organising Youth P.A.C.T, a weekend-long festival which aims to platform youth voices on critical issues, while connecting young Malaysians to leaders and change-makers to inspire action.

This year, Youth P.A.C.T takes the format of an on-ground festival at Taylor's Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya on 24 and 25 June 2023 from 10:00am – 5:30pm, and will be featuring a series of forums, presidential debates, keynote sharings, workshops, film screenings and performances on critical human rights, political and social justice issues of their generation. There will also be booths by local NGOs and CSOs with awareness campaigns, mental health screening, collaboration opportunities and many others.

Themed #BangsaMalaysia, topics will include social issues affecting Malaysians from various sections of society - from Indigenous social affairs to issues faced by people with disabilities and also the marginalised community. Attendees will get the opportunity to dialogue with public figures, activists and politicians like YB Adam Adli, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports; YB Senator Fuziah Salleh, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade & Cost Of Living; Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, Executive Director of Amnesty International Malaysia; Heidy Quah, activist and founder of Refuge for The Refugees; Dr. Anthony Chong, Co-Founder & Secretary of the Malaysian Sign Language & Deaf Studies Association, Dr Colin Nicholas, Founder of the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC); and Amani Williams-Hunt, Semai leader & advocate.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his compelling address at the National Youth Day 2023¹, emphasised the profound responsibilities and boundless potential that lie within the hands of young individuals. Encouraging them to think critically, evaluate their societal roles, and take proactive steps to contribute to their families and the nation, his speech serves as a reminder to all youths that they are not only the nation’s future leaders, but are also leaders of the present possessing the right to express their concerns and hold accountable those entrusted with the nation's progress.

"Youth P.A.C.T was conceptualised through the shared sentiment. We are committed to be at the forefront of promoting youth leadership and development in collaboration with our longstanding partner, MIDP. Throughout our partnership, our core mission has been to empower young individuals by equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. With over five decades of experience in the industry, we have cultivated strong networks, providing us with remarkable opportunities to collaborate with influential figures and thought leaders. These connections allow us to connect our students and youths with inspiring individuals who have the power to make a meaningful impact," said Josephine Tan, Campus Director of Taylor's College.

As a leading institute for soft skills education in Malaysia, MIDP also believes that the ability to communicate effectively, think critically and creatively, as well as engage in constructive debates are important in advocating for a better Malaysia.

Emellia Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of MIDP, emphasises how today's youth face societal challenges as they strive for a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future. “The Malaysian youth is truly a remarkable bunch. With social media, many of them have risen up to fulfil their rightful roles as community leaders, social justice warriors and change-makers. Through Youth PACT, we want to acknowledge these young individuals, amplify their voices and most importantly, work hand-in-hand to create meaningful changes for our beloved country. At MIDP, we recognise that freedom of speech and expression, as well as the right to dissent are important components in any thriving democracy. Thus, we would like to provide a platform for our youth to share their views and lived experiences, alongside leaders and change-makers from the older generations. They may not agree on things, but it’s important that we showcase a sense of respect and camaraderie for each other, while sending a clear message of diversity, equality and inclusion regardless of our backgrounds. After all, it takes a village to change the world, so every single voice counts.”

As part of the festival, Youth P.A.C.T will also curate a diverse range of dynamic workshops, covering essential areas such as leadership and communication skills, career development, digital literacy, and addressing the crucial issue of sexual harassment. These hands-on sessions aim to empower attendees to make a tangible impact and equip themselves with the tools needed to drive positive change in their communities. Every session at Youth PACT comes with an engaging Q&A session with members of the audience to enrich the discourse.

For more information on Youth P.A.C.T, please visit this link and register your interest to join today.

Reference:

¹ Youth Day to spur spirit of Malaysian youth

This content is provided by Taylor’s College