YOUNGSTERS FIRED UP FOR 2050

Four sessions later, issues discussed include identity, digital economy and the environment

FOUR dialogue sessions have been held since the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) plan was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The national dialogues on TN50 are being conducted as the government wants the people to be involved in the new vision.

The dialogues are meant to collect feedback to frame a new direction for the country, so that the people’s aspiration will be reflected, specifically the input of youth from all races.

The first TN50 town hall was held with some 500 youth representatives at Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya, here in January.

During the 90-minute dialogue, in which Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was also present, the youth voiced their desires, needs and concerns about the digital economy, identity, education, infrastructure, smart cities, health, mentality and the environment.

The programme saw the launch of an initial survey to collate views and potential themes to set the tone and encourage critical thinking on TN50.

Sustainable products design company Biji-Biji Initiative cofounder Azam Hisham was among those who attended the second dialogue at the International Youth Centre in Cheras here last month.

“The session was a productive process in collecting data and opinions of youth. It gives a voice to young people and fires their passion about life in 2050.

“It’s a significant milestone by the government in terms of engaging the people, and it’s good that such roadshows are happening all over Malaysia,” Azam said.

During the session, in which people shared ideas on their ideal society for 2050, Azam said Malaysia could benefit from a society that accepted different ideas and had critical discourse.

He proposed the development of an environmentally-sustainable society.

A third session was held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Seri Iskandar, Perak, on Wednesday, moderated by Khairy and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

More than 1,000 students of public higher-learning institutions attended the event, and they discussed the importance of seeing Malaysia with a strong identity by 2050, with emphasis on civic values and knowledge in science, arts, sports and religion.

Khairy said Malaysian higherlearning institutions, such as UiTM, should strive to improve and be among the best in the world, on a par with the likes of University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

But Khairy also said these aspirations would only come true if Malaysians shared similar goals and fought to achieve them together.

Among those who attended the session was an electrical student from Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara, Muhammad Nur Aliff Abdul Aziz, 20, who aspired to play a role in protecting and improving the environment.

“I wish to see less environmental destruction in the country.

“As we move forward, we tend to forget to keep our environment safe,” he said.

The fourth dialogue was held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan yesterday.

The younger generation are also encouraged to propose ideas by submitting papers to the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Throughout the year, a series of TN50 citizen engagements will be held, including essay competitions, video contests, mural exhibitions and Instagram editing.

At the same time, young Malaysians are invited to submit ideas for a TN50 App, which will serve as a public platform for building and shaping the future of Malaysia. For details, visit http://mytn50.com.

TN50 was introduced by Najib during the 2017 Budget presentation in Parliament in October.

Najib said it was a continuation of Vision 2020 with a national strategy and implementation plan that would serve as a national discourse geared towards charting the nation’s direction.

The goals were being developed via a consultative process in the preparatory phase from this year to 2019, and will be outlined in a TN50 policy document in 2020.