KUCHING: After a fruitful year under the umbrella “Drumming for Unity 2011”, Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) marches into this year with a new line-up of activities under the theme, “March on for Unity 2012”.
The Chief Minister, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also the Chairman of the YPS Board of Trustees, launched the “March on for Unity 2012” calendar of activities in conjunction with the opening of the Intercultural Youth Forum and the launching of the YPS website on 23 March 2012, at the Yayasan Sarawak complex.
The Intercultural Youth Forum, which is co-organised by YPS and Sarawak Development Institute (SDI), will kick off this year’s calendar of events for the “March on for Unity 2012” Programme.
The weekend forum will host around 170 youths aged between 18 to 25 years old, who are coming together to learn about the various cultures of Sarawak’s multi-ethnic population.
Engaging local youth to further understand the importance of cultural unity, the forum will feature ethnic associations highlighting practices and traditions of their respective communities.
Youth representatives from ethnic associations, namely the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Sarawak Chinese Cultural Association, Tun Jugah Foundation, Indian Association Kuching, Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS), Kuching Melanau Association, and Federation of Orang Ulu Associations will enhance their understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultural heritage, which is essential to the State’s long term development.
“Apart from its cultural agenda, gatherings such as this forum are a golden opportunity to hear from the youth on their concerns on the future of the State and their thoughts on development issues,” said Datu Aloysius Dris, CEO of SDI, during his welcoming remarks at the ceremony.
During the forum, there will be special presentations on ‘Sarawak Cultures’ and ‘Sarawak Unity’, to be presented by YPS’ Board of Trustees Secretary Mr Mark Noel Bonchol and SDI General Manager Madam Lelia Sim, respectively.
Following this forum, other programmes set to be highlighted this year include the Youth Square – an avenue for youth to express their talents and creative inventions through entrepreneurial opportunities, an International Film Screening of international and local films on culture and unity and, finally culminating with an International Youth Cultural Conference – an international conference that will host 350 local and international youth.
Last year, YPS organised a host of activities aimed at drawing the attention of Sarawak’s youth to the State’s heritage of unity and the role it has played in the progress of the State. It provided opportunities for youth from Sarawak to express their sentiments on unity by participating in dialogues, forums and various competitions.
The event was also graced by Deputy Chief Minister YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, who is the Deputy Chairman of the YPS Board of Trustees, and Minister for Land Development YB Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who is a member of the YPS Board of Trustees, as well as Tourism Minister and SABERKAS president YB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
The “Drumming for Unity 2011” and this year’s “March on for Unity” are joint initiatives by YPS, SDI and Faradale Media-M Sdn. Bhd.
For more information on the “March on for Unity 2012” events, please log on to YPS’ website www.yps.org.my or visit the ‘Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS)’ Facebook page.
23rd March, 2012
