6th AMMY urges youth to join in ASEAN Community establishment

BANGKOK, 25 June 2009 (NNT) – Ministers attending the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY) today have voiced their support to encourage participation of youths in the establishment of the ASEAN Community by the year 2015.

Community Development Youth and Sports Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan of Singapore stated that the objective of the 6th AMMY was to signal the commitment of all ASEAN nations in pushing forward the importance of youth and their role in building the ASEAN Community, which they will inherit in the future.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek of Malaysia suggested the ASEAN nations focus on two parts in youth development, including putting more efforts into regional youth development and reevaluating current youth development programs with consideration to changes.

In addition, Mr Phan Sokim, the director-general of the Youth General Department of Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, stated that the ASEAN nations should cooperate more in persuading youths to partake in forming the ASEAN Community, encouraging them to contribute their talents for peace in the region and promoting partnership among them.