Video Link to Gathering of Youth for Unity

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUZfPV2X4o

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4R3diDwcXg

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Dr Chandra Muzaffar (3)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3qpYzWXKzA

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Tim Fernandez - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX72h36m43U

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Marina Mahathir (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wudj2qCsckI

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Marina Mahathir (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sudg_2pBklA

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNV8JA6OXDU

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (2)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cptLq2V75bc

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Jonson Chong (3) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zinxJj8NTl4

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (1) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8m0sf0Gqo

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (2) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTI0rvWanU

Gathering of Youth for Unity - Anas Zubedy (3) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5BV1H61_g

Gathering of Youth For Unity

GATHERING OF YOUTH FOR UNITY

zubedy held our first ever Gathering of Youth for Unity on Saturday, the 26^th of March. It was exciting to see so many youth come together to do it for unity. We decided to organize this event because we feel the need to engage with the youth to build up more good leaders today, leaders who know how to manage diversity and this, we believe, can only be done if they learn to embrace unity.

Seventy one youths representing business corporations and youth organizations with a common passion for unity joined us to listen, learn and discuss about what they can do for unity. We were grateful to have with us Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Jonson Chong, and Tim Fernandez as speakers.

In Dr. Chandra Muzaffar’s keynote address on the theme “Youth for Unity”, he spoke on the need to increase the quantum of youths who really understand the ethnic or religious other and look at issues of justice and injustice from a truly multi-ethnic perspective. He emphasized the need for youths to choose to be bridge-builders - to have a profound commitment to the well-being of all, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.

In the panel session, panelists Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Jonson Chong, Tim Fernandez and Anas Zubedy echoed the same urgency for youths to take up the challenge of implementing a change towards unity in the areas of Media, Politics, Education and Economy respectively.

As a resolution to the gathering, the youths identified three key action points they can begin implementing in each of the four areas. Representatives of youth organizations were then presented with the book “A Plea for Empathy: The Quest for Malaysian Unity” by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar. Throughout the gathering, the most striking theme is certain – that the youths must take accountability and be the change they wish to see in our nation.

Today in The Star - Have A Meaningful Vaisakhi :)

Have a meaningful Vaisakhi “God intended me to look upon all religions with one eye; that is why he took away the light from the other.” – Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839) Do it for Unity – Young Malaysians, You Can Lead Us to Unity! Before Independence, we lived in division. The British considered it a pragmatic policy that our homes, schools and work were segregated according to racial communities. This framework was the basis of our Independence. Three separate groups combined to form an Alliance, but we did not unite on a personal level. In 1951, Dato’ Onn Jaafar, founder of UMNO, wanted to open UMNO to all but the proposal was rejected. It was an idea ahead of its time – the nation was not yet ready. The formula of an alliance worked well to win us our Independence and bring us to a level of prosperity and peace. But at the same time, maintaining three separate groups gives way for misunderstanding and distrust among our people. The ground is now shifting, especially among the young. Dato’ Onn’s idea is becoming the consciousness of Malaysians. More Rakyat are seeing themselves as Malaysian first. The 1Malaysia campaign has added vigor to this shift. At the ground, level now we can even see co-operation between DAP and PAS, a scenario hard to imagine only a short time ago. Is a new platform emerging? Perhaps it is, and young Malaysians are our leading actors. We see the hope of Unity, of 1Malaysia, in our youth. Young Malaysians, we ask you to lead us towards greater Unity. And we believe now is the right time. Let us move away from politics of race and religion. While race and religion are important, for our Rakyat to be united we must see ourselves as first and foremost Malaysian. Let us support policies which are good for all Malaysians – not just for Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans. Let us fight for a new Independence. Free ourselves of the shackles of communalism. Let us expand our boundaries and be inclusive. Let us be 1Malaysia. Let us be first and foremost Malaysians. At zubedy, our programs draw strength from shared values and traditions. We believe that at heart, all Malaysians want good things for themselves and for their brother and sister Malaysians, simply because our nation cannot prosper as a whole if some of us are left behind. Let us add value Have a meaningful Vaisakhi