SEVERAL non-governmental organisations are calling on young people who are passionate about volunteering to either join them or set up their own volunteer groups. Rizan Latif, president of Beach Bunch, an NGO that focuses on protecting Brunei’s beaches from pollution, told The Brunei Times that nearly 90 per cent of their activities are driven by volunteers who are keen to contribute to society and make a change. “I think if youths would like to get engaged, at the end of the day, it is their own beliefs and values that will determine whether they want to contribute back to society,” he said. Volunteering, Rizan said, is not something that can be learned in school. “Volunteering also depends on how passionate a person is. If they are really (keen on volunteering),…

ONE hundred and eight teens and young adults raced across the Bio Innovation Corridor (BIC), formerly known as the Agro-technology Park, in Tungku to complete the challenges set during the Remarkable Green Race yesterday. Organised by Green Brunei, the race was a first for the non-profit environmental awareness group aimed to raise awareness among the 16-40 demographic about environmental issues, creating more exposure about the BIC and to encourage them to be more active in future green programmes. Attending the prize presentation was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Hjh Hasnah Hj Ibrahim and representatives from the sponsors of the event. The teams of four participants each raced throughout the park from station to station to complete green-themed challenges, one of which was the…

THE International Volunteers’ Day could serve as a reminder to volunteers that any related activities carried out are not only beneficial to the country, but it also helps to foster their individual growth. In an interview with The Brunei Times, the president of the Belait Youth Association (PEMBELA), Atikah Rumaizah Dr Hj Harun said through volunteering, a person would be able to understand and learn more of the community they lived in. [Related story: Brunei to commemorate International Volunteers’ Day with festival next week] “Especially by extending their helping hands to those in need, volunteers would be able to develop within themselves the senses of empathy and care; that they are more people out there experiencing hardships which perhaps could be more difficult compared to the volunteers themselves,” she said. “Besides…

ONE Bruneian youth will attend the United Nations-backed Global Forum on Youth Policies in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to discuss ways of implementing national policies that are tailored to the current generation’s needs. Khairunnisa Ash’ari of Green Brunei will join governments and parliaments, youth networks and movements, research and development communities to examine how youth policy can be implemented in war zones, post-conflict settings, and tackle youth unemployment. Khairunnisa, who is involved with Brunei Youth Council and other NGOs such as the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme, was the recipient of Youth Service Award last year and the ASEAN Youth Award recipient this year. Speaking to The Brunei Times before her departure at the Brunei International Airport, Khairunnisa said she saw the call for applications from Facebook and decided to try…