(Bandar Seri Begawan, 6th) Volunteers are not only supporters of communities but also strategic partners of the government in ensuring inclusive national development.
In fact, they help strengthen social relationships, improve community living standards, drive positive change, and further promote collective efforts to achieve long-term sustainable development.
Brunei's Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, highlighted these points during his speech on the occasion of the 2024 International Volunteer Day.
He said at the national level, he is very proud of the active participation of our youth volunteers through platforms like the Mengalinga application and other initiatives by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
Moreover, the minister stated that collaboration in the field of volunteering is equally important for building harmonious and resilient communities.
Each generation clearly brings unique perspectives, experiences, and energy, which combined can have a greater impact on society.
The minister believes that enthusiastic and creative young people can indeed learn from the experiences of the older generation, while the experienced generation can be inspired by new approaches brought by the younger ones.
The minister stated, "As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, I want to call on more people to participate in volunteer activities: first, to the youth: use your energy, creativity, and innovation to expand existing volunteer programs while pioneering new initiatives that have a significant impact on society; second, to organizations: encourage and support a culture of volunteering in workplaces, communities, and institutions; third, to all parties: let us continue to encourage interaction, support various volunteer activities and multi-ethnic cooperation, whether through participation, training, or guidance."
Thus, the minister hopes that charitable activities will continue to develop not only at the national level but also at the regional and global levels.
Additionally, the minister emphasized that the cooperative relationship between ASEAN countries needs to be strengthened through platforms like the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Exchange, which will enable us to share best practices and address common challenges.
On this International Volunteer Day, let us celebrate those who devote their time and energy to the extraordinary spirit of promoting community progress.
This year's focus is on various efforts towards sustainable development initiatives. This aligns well with achieving Brunei's Vision 2035 goals, particularly in strengthening an inclusive, harmonious, and sustainable society.