The 2nd SDG Youth Dialogue commenced yesterday, bringing together youth aged 15 to 25 in an event aimed at fostering the development and empowerment of future sustainability leaders.
The initiative serves as a testament to the Sultanate’s commitment to harnessing the potential of its youth, nurturing a generation of visionary and innovative change agents dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future.
The dialogue was officiated by Permanent Secretary (Wawasan) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad.
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), as one of the main supporters of the dialogue, has reinforced its dedication to youth empowerment and sustainable development through its active involvement.
The support is a testament to the bank’s Sustainability Framework, which underscores BIBD’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and driving positive change. By backing initiatives like the SDG Youth Dialogue, BIBD continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the youth to contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future.
BIBD’s Chief Marketing Officer Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar, highlighted, “At BIBD, we firmly believe in the power of youth as catalysts for change. Our commitment to youth empowerment and sustainability is embedded in our Sustainability Framework, which aligns with Brunei Vision 2035 and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through initiatives like the Sustainability Youth Leadership Award, we aim to foster a generation of leaders who are not only aware of the challenges we face but are also equipped and motivated to address them.”
The four project winners of the first cohort of the BIBD Sustainability Youth Leadership Award also presented the outcomes of their project implementation phases.
The youth groups are Project Hayaa, Iklim Chapters, Project Pink Box, and Upskilling Tutong, representing the Education, Health, Environment, and Jobs clusters, have demonstrated outstanding innovation and dedication towards sustainability.
Organised by the Prime Minister’s Office as the Special National Coordinating Committee on SDGs, with cooperation from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and BIBD, the programme and activities are run by the Brunei Youth Council and Green Brunei, with the support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
In line with the SDG Youth Statement delivered at the 1st SDG Youth Dialogue, the second dialogue will focus on the environment, specifically its linkages to the 12th goal of the SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production.
The dialogues are expected to promote a greater understanding among young people of the importance of consuming and producing goods more responsibly and sustainably, generating ideas and solutions to promote and influence sustainability through projects, with selected projects awarded the BIBD Sustainability Youth Leader Award.
During this second youth dialogue, the second cohort of youth groups participating in the BIBD Sustainability Youth Leadership Award, focusing specifically on SDG12, will be mentored and provided with guidance on how to effectively manage projects and develop them to address identified issues.
The youth dialogue will culminate in the announcement of the Champion Award: BIBD Sustainability Youth Leadership Award 2023, celebrating the outstanding contributions and innovations of young leaders dedicated to a sustainable future.
Two individual champion’s awards, namely Most Inspiring Male Leader and Most Inspiring Female Leader, will receive a prize worth BND1,000. Meanwhile, the Best Overall Youth Sustainability Project Award will be rewarded with a cash award of BND3,000.
