YB Dato Sri William Mawan, Minsiter of Social Development & Urbanisation Sarawak (published in The Borneo Post, 11 March, page 8), told all Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) to rope in more youths in their activities both for fresh ideas and to give young people the platform to express themselves. 

 

To do this, Dato Sri William Mawan said these Dayak NGOs should have activities designed in such a way that would attract these youths to be actively involved in the NGOs’ programmes and activities.  

 

He added, these NGOs must list out their programmes and activities for the young to study.

 

 

 

In line with the call by YB Dato Sri William Mawan, SDGA is taking a lead to organise a pilot programme called "SDGA GRADUATES ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME" this year – targeting young Dayak graduates and working professionals aged 20-30 years old.

This one-day programme will be the platform for the Dayak graduates to express their views/thoughts on current issues and concerns relating to socio-economic development (such as educational awareness and motivation, job opportunities, career guidance, rural-urban migration, youth empowerment, etc.) concerning the Dayak community especially among the youths and graduates.

 

Issues and recommendations discussed during the programme will be used as a basis/guideline for SDGA to plan and implement its future programmes for Dayak youths and graduates.

 

The programme also aims to gather fresh ideas and recommendations from Dayak youths and graduates on the proposed SDGA’s programmes/activities that are in line with their needs and aspirations.

 

On this note, the proposed programmes/activities will be designed and carried out by theDayak youths and graduatesthemselves with the guidance and support from SDGA. SDGA will assist the Dayak youths and graduates to seek financial support from the relevant ministries and agencies to implement the proposed programmes/activities.

 

In the long run, SDGA hopes to engage and empower young Dayak graduates and professionals to be involved in its community development programmes/activities that can contribute towards the advancement of the Dayak community, particularly in the field of education and socio-economic development.

 

 

If you are a Dayak graduate (Iban, Bidayuh & Orang Ulu), a Diploma holder and above, aged 20 – 30 years old, you are kindly invited to apply to participate in this “pilot programme” scheduled to be held tentatively on 24 April 2010 (Saturday) in Kuching, Sarawak (venue to be announced later). 

 

In the first intake of this programme, we are targeting to get 15-20 participants to participate in this programme, especially Dayak graduates residing/working in the Kuching and Samarahan Divisions.

For the second intake, will are targeting Dayak graduates residing/working in the Sri Aman and Betong Divisions should response towards this programme is encouraging.

 

More details about the programme will be announced later by the working committee.

 

If you are interested to participate in this programme, please email to me your full name, office address and contact number (s) by 17 April 2010 (Saturday). Selected participants will be notified later.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Chairman,

SDGA’s Youth Engagement Committee

For SDGA President

Email: etawie@yahoo.com

H/P: 019-834 9790