I learned that digital technology is the key to promote the participation of Asian youths. Currently, ASEAN youngsters are among the most active internet users in the worldJakarta (ANTARA) - Digitization serves as the key to bolster the participation and competitiveness of Asian youngsters at the global level, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy stated.
"From the forums held under Indonesia's chairmanship in the ASEAN in 2023, I learned that digital technology is the key to promote the participation of Asian youths. Currently, ASEAN youngsters are among the most active internet users in the world," he remarked in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Effendy made the statement in his speech during a national seminar carrying the theme of "Fostering Meaningful Youth Participation in the Development of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community."
According to Effendy, all youth-related activities held during Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN were dominated by discussions on digital literacy and transformation issues. The trend indicates that digitization constitutes one of the most important issues for youths, he stressed.
"Developments in technology create opportunities for youths to augment their knowledge and skills, make innovation, and voice their aspirations in society. During the pandemic era, we could see how young people took part in disseminating digitization efforts to communities," he remarked.
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Effendy then emphasized the need for governments and all related stakeholders in ASEAN countries to share the responsibility to help youths hone and optimize their potentials.
"Noticing the importance of social media these days, we have made efforts to boost youths' participation, such as by holding a short video contest on Instagram and directly interacting with youths through live broadcast on social media," he noted.
In his speech, Effendy also commended Indonesian and ASEAN youngsters for their participation in the competitions and discussions held.
"President Joko Widodo has expressed hope that the younger generations in ASEAN would play a vital role in making Southeast Asia a stable and peaceful region and developing it as the world's epicenter of growth," he remarked.
To that end, he invited all people in the region to work together for the sake of creating a better future for ASEAN youths and communities.
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Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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