ASEAN & Maybank Foundation Launch Programme To Empower Youth With Skill And Knowledge

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- In a bid to foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN community, the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation have launched a 5-day regional capacity-building workshop for its eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA) Programme at Chulalongkorn University, here.

The workshop, held in conjunction with ASEAN Day on Aug 8, 2024, is designed to equip young leaders with the skills and knowledge to address socio-economic and developmental challenges in the region.

Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation Dr. Piti Srisangnam said the eMpowering Youths programme embodies its commitment to nurturing the next generation of ASEAN leaders.

"By providing opportunities for young volunteers to engage in impactful projects, we are not only fostering a spirit of collaboration but also driving sustainable development across the region. Together, we can build a stronger, more integrated ASEAN community," he said in a statement here Friday (Aug 9).

The eYAA programme is a cornerstone of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, aimed at empowering youth to become catalysts for positive change. Through experiential learning and social volunteerism, participants will develop innovative solutions to pressing community issues.

Meanwhile, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of Maybank Shahril Azuar Jimin said Maybank is enabling ASEAN youth to lead sustainable changes across its communities through the Regional Capacity Building Workshop of eMpowering Youths.

"These initiatives testify to our shared commitment in promoting sustainable development and enriching communities throughout Southeast Asia. By empowering youth to spearhead initiatives that address pressing social and economic challenges, we are dedicated in making meaningful difference, creating positive change and nurturing a future where collaboration and innovation drive lasting impact," he said.

He added that Maybank Foundation’s partnership with the ASEAN Foundation aligns with its commitment to humanise financial services and improve the lives of two million households by 2025.

The eYAA programme is dedicated to empowering youth aged 19 to 35 and communities across ten ASEAN Member States to develop and implement community projects that deliver tangible long-term social and economic impacts.

This initiative galvanises youth to lead meaningful change, providing an experiential and educational platform through social volunteerism. 

-- BERNAMA