moderating a session on youth challenges

4th CPPS Youth Public Policy Roundtable

I was invited by Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) to moderate a panel on 'The ‘Coming of Age’ Issue: Challenges Facing Youth in Malaysia'. This was their 4th CPPS Youth Public Policy Roundtable held on 7th September 2017 at the Malaysian Parliament. The CPPS Youth Public Policy Roundtable series is an annual event aimed at encouraging youth participation in public policy debate. It brings together youth from youth organisations, universities and young working adults to discuss issues pertinent to youth in Malaysia.

For the panel session, we had four speakers from diverse backgrounds:

1. Dr Sarena Che Omar (Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute)
2. Mr Rizal Rozhan (Advocacy & Documentation Officer, EMPOWER Malaysia)
3. Mr Ian Yee (Editor & Executive Producer, R.AGE, The Star Media Group)
4. Mr Shamsul Nashriq (Managing Director, Motiofixo Sdn Bhd & Board Member, Girls in Tech Malaysia)
5. Mr Zaim Mohzani (Chairperson, Nation Building School) [Moderator]

We were asked by CPPS to discuss about the following:

In Malaysia, a rising percentage of the population are experiencing their own ‘coming of age’ stories. With a rising youth population at 43.6% of the total population in Malaysia, it is now more important than ever that Malaysian youth confront and speak out about issues that concern their future. Challenges for youth in Malaysia are numerous and varied, covering issues like youth unemployment, standard of living, housing and lack of youth political participation, many of which have no easy solution.
However, 2017 is the year for big changes in public policy. The hottest topic this year is sustainability. Understanding this, the Malaysian government has taken up the challenge of implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in both the current national action plan and in formulating the upcoming Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50). Unlike the past development plans, TN50 will be drafted in consideration of suggestions from the public which makes this a prime platform for the Malaysian youth to be heard.
This roundtable will deliberate on what it means to create both a sustainable country and society. The discussion aims to find ways of making the SDGs and TN50 more relevant to youth in Malaysia. The roundtable will provide a platform for youth participants to discuss challenges and contribute ideas towards shaping a new national transformation by 2050.
This roundtable will take up issues like:

• Sustainable development: What does sustainable development mean to youth in Malaysia? Are there specific issues that the youth should be advocating for within the TN50 and UN SDG agenda?
  
• Youth and public policy: How can youth have a bigger say in the policy-making and decision-making processes? Are there better ways to engage with youth in sub-urban, rural and disadvantaged communities?
  
• Maintaining a sustainable standard of living: Is the current standard of living, with rising youth employment and cost of necessities like food and housing really sustainable? How can Malaysia correct these issues to become a sustainable nation?
  
• Changing expectations: What kind of society do Malaysian youth envision for Malaysia? Is there a gap between what the youth want and what policy-makers want? 
  
  

The full report on our discussion will be out soon. So, keep an eye out for that! 

Oh yes! I had the privilege of participating the 3rd edition last year as a speaker; you can read my post on that here.