Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy Highlights Youth Role in ASEAN Community
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy attends ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth through video conference on Friday (26/6). (Photo by: Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture)
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy on behalf of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth through video conference, Friday (26/6).
The meeting that was held on the sidelines of the 36th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit served as a communication forum between ASEAN youth and leaders to discuss the role of the youth in building the ASEAN Community.
On that occasion, Muhadjir said that President Jokowi supports development and equal opportunity for young people by appointing several competent young people to occupy important positions in the Government.
In addition, he continued, the President also supports the development of vocational industry and technology, including electric vehicles as well as the country’s start-up industry. Indonesia currently has 2,193 start-up companies, including one decacorn and four unicorns. The country also ranked fifth in global start-up rankings, just behind the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
“The statement made by the youth regarding the fostering and development of young people in the aspects of knowledge, innovation, and technology, will be quite imperative,” Muhadjir said.
According to him, ASEAN youth could play an important role to materializing a united, peaceful, and prosperous ASEAN region.
“Therefore, we support more integrated measures from ASEAN in developing the young generation,” Muhadjir concluded.
For the record, ASEAN member countries can send two youth representatives to participate in the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth. Indonesia appointed Adenanthera Swietenia Fatma (21 years old) and Angga Dwi Martha (29 years old) as representatives. They were chosen because they have made many achievements in various fields.
On that occasion, Muhadjir also emphasized that the youth have an important role, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his belief that young people can set a good example for the public in adopting a healthy lifestyle and disseminate it so they will be protected from the virus’ transmission. The youth can also help to prevent future pandemics, especially pandemics caused by environmental imbalance. They can promote the importance of environmental sustainability in ASEAN community. (PR of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture / EN)
Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana
