13 Aug

The government has developed and implemented long-term plans to promote youth human resources and nurture young generations, said Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye at the second coordination meeting of the Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee (MYAC) in Nay Pyi Taw on 11 August afternoon. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, the Permanent Secretaries, the Directors-General, and the Deputy Directors-General of the relevant ministries, and MYAC members across the country.

At the meeting, Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as Chairperson of the MYAC, said that relevant ministries, representatives for young people, and technical advisors collaboratively drafted the Youth Affairs Policy. The National Strategic Plan of the policy has also been drafted. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement discussed and collaborated with regional governments to launch Youth Centres in States and regions, and allocated budget funds for purchase of necessary things related to youth development. Youth Centres are places in which young people can participate in activities such as the arts and sports.

Dr Win Myat Aye also highlighted the yearly Youth All-Round Development Festivals, which are aiming for promotion of physical, mental, social, and professional abilities of young people, held in the period from 2017 to 2019. He also encouraged the young people of Myanmar to take part in international youth activities. Two delegates of the MYAC are officially participating in ASEAN youth activities.

Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi, in his capacity as committee Vice-Chairperson (1) of MYAC, said that “duties and responsibilities of MYAC members (draft)” has already been drawn up. He continued that National Strategic Plan of the Youth Affairs Policy has already been drafted, and young people will be able to work collaboratively in accordance with the plan. Dr Myo Thein Gyi also emphasized the “1,000 days after birth” programme conducted by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. He said that the programme is fundamental to lifelong learning process. 

He continued that his ministry is working to create an education environment which will be suitable for education amid COVID-19 crisis. Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe, in his capacity as committee Vice-Chairperson (2) of MYAC, said that all relevant ministries and organizations need to work collaboratively in implementation of the Youth Affairs Policy. He continued that young people need to be healthy, educated, altruistic, and patient as well as they need to work unitedly in order to achieve their goals. He also urged the young people to have healthy lifestyle, good friends and good ethics.

In the meeting, the MYAC Secretary Director-General Dr San San Aye from the Department of Social Welfare, officials from relevant ministries, and youth delegates of the MYAC discussed the “duties and responsibilities of MYAC members (draft)”, matters related to sub-committees and implementation of the strategic plan.

MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)