Singapore Democrats
Young Democrats Jarrod Luo and Muhd Khalis have been elected officials of the newly formed ASEAN Inter-capital Youth Union (AIYU). Mr Khalis holds the post of Vice-Chairman and Mr Luo is the organisation’s Secretary-General. Mr Arif Rahman, chair of Jakarta’s National Youth Council of Indonesia, will head AIYU.
AIYU was formed at the recent Inter-Capitol Youth Conference organised by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The new regional body work towards the full implementation of the goals UN Millenium Summit outcome agenda through youth groups in the various member states. It is the initiative of the chair of ASEAN which falls in Indonesia next year.
The goals of the organisation are:
- Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieving universal primary education
- Promoting gender equality and empower women
- Reducing child mortality rate
- Improving maternal health
- Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Ensuring environmental sustainability
- Developing a global partnership for development
The election of the YD leaders is testimony of their leadership ability and the YD’s growing involvement in the region’s youth activities.
The launching of the AIYU is scheduled for early next year and its first meeting to develop the organisation’s plans is slated to take place sometime in March 2010 in Singapore.
The YD has been actively in the international political arena, and is also taking the lead in developing youth programs and activities in Singapore to involve youths in local politics.
The SDP’s youth wing will continue to play a prominent role in party’s affairs which will provide our youth members crucial opportunities to develop their skills and qualities as future leaders.