Junior Chamber International (JCI) has held a forum on promoting youth engagement in policymaking.
The forum, titled "Youth to Leaders," was the third such forum organised by JCI in the Maldives. The theme of this year's forum was "Youth, Peace and Security" which was aimed at promoting the United Nation Security Council's Resolution 2250.
The forum, held on Saturday evening at Maldives National University (MNU), provided an opportunity for youth, youth-related organisations and other relevant stakeholders to engage in dialogue on youth policies and current situation of youth with special emphasis on issues of education, religious extremism and civic engagement with high-level policymakers, according to JCI.
Majority Leader of Parliament and MP for Villimale' constituency Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik attended the forum as the chief guest. Speaking at the forum, he highlighted the projects initiated by the Government for youth development and empowerment.
JCI, founded in St Louis in 1915, is a non-profit international non-governmental organisation of young people between 18 and 40 years old. It has members in about 124 countries, and regional or national organisations in many of them. It has consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and with UNESCO. It encourages young people to become active citizens and to participate in efforts towards social and economic development, and international co-operation, good-will and understanding.