Findings from the International Labour Organisation, ILO showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the employment of youths more than adults. This was among the matters shared by the Permanent Secretary for Community and Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council, SOCA during the 1st Innovation Platform Dialogue. The dialogue held via video conference was themed ‘Youth Employment and Digitalisation in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, ASCC Perspectives’. According to Dayang  Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, with the ASEAN region comprising of 40% youth population, broad policy support is needed to ensure ASEAN is able to meet the needs and aspirations of its young people, as they will define ASEAN’s common future.

Yang Berhormat Dayang Khairunnisa binti Awang Haji Ash’ari, member of the Legislative Council as President of Brunei Youth Council, meanwhile emphasized that ASEAN recognises that youths have a deep connection with technology and social media, wherein young people are not just the consumers of these applications, they are also the innovators and they are the people that are paving the way for more innovations to come. The dialogue organised by the ASCC through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the National Secretariat and Chair of ASCC 2021, in collaboration with the Brunei Youth Council and ASEAN Secretariat. The recommendations and appropriate solutions from the Dialogue are expected to be discussed at the 31st SOCA Meeting to be held today, and in turn to be elevated to the 26th ASCC and shared to the relevant ASCC Sectoral Bodies.

Source: Radio Television Brunei