April 27, 2015, at 1215hrs, at Conference Hall 3, 3rd floor of KLCC, Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha attended the ASEAN Leader’s Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth held to promote youth engagement in creating the people-centered ASEAN Community as stated under the ASEAN Declaration. Youth opinions would be taken into account in further implementations.
For Thailand, PM Prayut said that youth was a key force in sustaining ASEAN Community. All sectors should help develop the giving and sharing ASEAN Community. The Prime Minister expressed concern over lack of empathy and respect for laws in today’s society, especially through social media.
The Prime Minister presented a direction to enhance youth engagement in mobilizing ASEAN.
Firstly, participation in social activities should be promoted so that youth could learn about rights, duties and freedom and be ready to deal with problems in the region. Thailand supported organizing youth volunteer camps for community development in ASEAN. According to the Prime Minister, youth activities should be grouped by interest, such as vocational and business groups which can produce new entrepreneurs in the future.
Secondly, economic facilities should be ready for new-generation youth. Young businesspeople could support the region’s economic development. ASEAN countries were not competitors but partners, especially in regional development. ASEAN should build on last year’s young entrepreneur conference held in Thailand to promote youth entrepreneurship potential in order to create jobs and business innovation among youth members.
Thirdly, smart farmers should be promoted. The Prime Minister put priority on ASEAN cooperation in youth development in terms of agriculture. Government sector should promote agricultural product processing for trading. Thailand had initiated such projects in CLMV countries and was ready to expand the activities under the ASEAN framework.
The Prime Minister also invited youth to participate in the establishment of ASEAN Community in attempt to prepare ASEAN Community in all dimensions for youth members who are the future of ASEAN.
Source: Royal Thai Government
