Brunei representatives off to Commonwealth Youth Forum
Brunei youth representatives of the Seventh Commonwealth Youth Forum in the Carribean, Ak Kamal Ghadafi (L) and Abdul Qawiy prior to their departure at the Brunei International Airport.
TWO youths will be representing Brunei at the Seventh Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) in the Caribbean in an eight-day forum organised jointly by the Commonwealth Youth Exchange and Commonwealth Youth Programme this coming November 21 to 27.
The Brunei Times had the opportunity to meet the representatives — youth activist Ak Kamal Ghadafi Pg Hj Suhaimi from the Department of Youth and Sports and UBD undergraduate Abdul Qawiy Hj Abdul Khani — prior to their departure via Singapore and New York to their destination.
"This year's forum will be special as it will be the first time that all 53 youth representatives of Commonwealth will be attending. We will also have the opportunity to meet up with the Heads of Government to discuss youth matters," said Ak Kamal Ghadafi.
The objectives of the event are aimed at the development of young people's understanding of the Commonwealth and its values; the creation of a platform for young people to contribute to Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) agendas; and the promotion of networking and interchange between young people and their organisations.
"This isn't merely attending the meeting. We'll be very involved in the discussions. Knowing Commonwealth, there is no such thing as sitting down and listening to the talks," said the youth activist.
"The final communiqué from the forum will be circulated at CHOGM and presented to the Commonwealth Secretariat, thereby giving the young people of the Commonwealth a chance to have their opinions heard by the Heads of State," he added.
The theme for this year's forum is "Invest in Youth, Sustain the World". Various topics will be discussed during the forum such as peace-building, economic issues and climate change.
Ak Kamal Ghadafi said youths could benefit greatly from participating in the forum and on his part, he hopes that he would be able to apply the input, ideas and experience he acquires from the Commonwealth youth participants at the forum to Brunei.
The eight-day forum will be held separately in three areas in the Caribbean; the island of Tobago, on board a cruise ship Queen Mary, and finally in Trinidad.
