20TH RCRC LEADERS MEETING & 2ND SEA RCRC YOUTH FORUM, PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
The 20th RCRC Leaders Meeting and 2nd SEA RCRC Youth Forum took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from September 17th to 22nd, 2023, organized by the Cambodia Red Cross (CRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This event aimed to connect Southeast Asian (SEA) leadership with youth leaders, involving participants from 11 national societies (NS) across Southeast Asia. The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) sent a team consisting of youth staff, SEAYN members, and youth leaders, alongside other officials who represented MRC at the leaders’ meeting.
The Youth Forum focused on enhancing communication skills, both in-person and virtually, particularly through social media. Participants were divided into thematic groups such as Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Climate Change, Disaster, Mental Health, and Youth Development, where they discussed challenges and proposed solutions. Activities included evaluating social media strategies for NS volunteer engagement and developing prototypes related to thematic issues, which were later presented to SEA Red Cross leaders.
Beyond the forums, participants engaged in activities like tree planting, which tied into climate change awareness, and visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The event culminated with presentations of the Youth Forum’s outcomes, including the 2023 Youth Statement, to SEA Red Cross leaders. The Leaders Meeting continued with discussions on SEA migration, IFRC Governance, and other humanitarian efforts, marking the event as a significant step in fostering collaboration and innovation among SEA National Societies.
21st RCRC LEADERS MEETING & 3rd SEA RCRC YOUTH FORUM, BALI INDONESIA
The 3rd Southeast Asia Youth Forum, set for September 2nd to 5th, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia, will focus on empowering youth leaders from Southeast Asia’s Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The event will emphasize climate resilience, mental health, and protection, gender, and inclusion (PGI), providing a platform for youth to engage in meaningful discussions, develop solutions, and contribute to regional humanitarian efforts.
Key outcomes of the event will include the development of a comprehensive Youth Statement and Action Plan, building upon the outcomes of previous forums. The forum aims to strengthen the capacity of youth leaders to contribute to strategic and policy development processes, especially in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability within their respective National Societies.
In the long term, the forum seeks to enhance youth engagement in decision-making processes at both strategic and operational levels. It will also aim to mainstream PGI into youth activities, increase awareness of mental health issues, and encourage the integration of sustainable practices across the region. These efforts will culminate in the presentation of the Youth Call for Action during a dialogue session with SEA leaders on September 6th, fostering international collaboration and innovation in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Youth representative from Malaysian RC:
- Michelle Chew Shi Jie – MRC Youth Leader / MRC National Youth Chairperson
- Chong Cheng Yang – MRC Youth Volunteer / Secretary of National Youth Council
- Mimie Zalia Binti Mahdzhir – Youth Officer
SEAYN WORKSHOP
The International Red Cross Red Crescent Youth Network (RCYN) Hack Lab workshop, held on April 27-28, aimed to enhance the capabilities of Southeast Asia Youth Network (SEAYN) members and foster international collaboration among youth from various National Societies. The workshop included a hand-over event for the SEAYN Chair and tailored capacity-building sessions focused on equipping participants with essential skills to serve as youth mentors and co-facilitators. This initiative emphasized networking opportunities, skill development aligned with the Youth Development Plan (YDP), and the empowerment of marginalized rural youth.
The impact of this workshop on the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Youth was significant, as it not only improved their leadership and facilitation skills but also expanded their engagement with local communities. By nurturing a commitment to volunteerism among diverse youth, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, the workshop reinforced the importance of grassroots leadership, ensuring that MRC Youth are better prepared to address pressing humanitarian challenges and drive positive change within their communities.
HACKLAB WORKSHOP
The RCYN Hack Lab, held from April 29 to May 3, gave Southeast Asia Youth Network (SEAYN) members a hands-on chance to improve their project management and leadership skills in a fun hackathon environment. Participants took part in activities that involved connecting with local communities, brainstorming ideas, and planning projects. The workshop focused on sustainable practices and cross-cultural communication, showing the importance of using innovation and technology to create effective community projects. Youth learned important skills in collecting data, designing projects, and presenting their ideas clearly.
For the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Youth, this workshop will be very important in developing a new group of leaders who can handle projects using modern technology and creative ideas. By helping them understand their local communities and develop sustainable solutions, MRC Youth will be better equipped to address important social issues and bring about positive changes. This experience will enable them to confidently lead future projects, making sure their contributions have a real impact in their communities and support the goals of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
