FOR the second year running, Taylor’s College and the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking (MIDP) will be organising the Youth P.A.C.T. festival.
The two-day event provides a platform for youth voices on critical issues, while connecting Malaysians with leaders and changemakers to inspire action.
This year, Youth P.A.C.T. takes the format of an on-ground festival at Taylor’s Lakeside campus in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on June 24 and 25 (10am-5.30pm).
It will feature a series of forums, presidential debates, keynote sharings, workshops, film screenings, and performances on critical human rights, political and social justice issues.
There will also be booths by local NGOs and CSOs with awareness campaigns, mental health screenings, collaboration opportunities and much more.
Themed #BangsaMalaysia, topics will include social issues affecting Malaysians from various social backgrounds – from indigenous affairs to issues faced by people with disabilities (PWDs) and marginalised communities.
Attendees will get the opportunity to dialogue with public figures, activists and politicians such as Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh, Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, Refuge for The Refugees founder Heidy Quah, Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association co-founder and secretary Dr Anthony Chong, Center for Orang Asli Concerns founder Dr Colin Nicholas, and Semai ethnic group leader and advocate Amani Williams-Hunt.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his address at the National Youth Day 2023, had emphasised the profound responsibilities and boundless potential that lies within the hands of young individuals.
“Youth P.A.C.T. was conceptualised through shared sentiment. We are committed to be at the forefront of promoting youth leadership and development in collaboration with our longstanding partner, MIDP,” says Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan.
“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.”
As a leading institute for soft skills education in Malaysia, MIDP 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.
“The Malaysian youth are 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,” says MIDP chief executive officer Emellia Sharif.
“Through Youth P.A.C.T., 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.”
The Youth P.A.C.T. festival will see the curation of a diverse range of dynamic workshops that cover essential areas such as leadership and communication skills, career development, digital literacy and 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 the festival comes with engaging Q&A sessions with members of the audience to enrich the discourse.
For more details about Youth P.A.C.T. 2023, go to www.midp.edu.my/events/youth-pact-2023
