Now in its eighth year, the forum offers young professionals a platform to engage in the nation’s economy, featuring insights from speakers like digital minister Gobind Singh Deo, investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and Human Resource Development Corporation CEO Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood.
Ewanina Effandie, a director of the YEF secretariat, said the forum, organised by the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA), will not only cover the economy but also politics and social sciences.
“The main objective of the forum has always been to provide a platform for young professionals to engage in discussions about Malaysia’s current economic landscape.
“However, this year, we are placing a greater focus on the digital and green economies.
“Hopefully, it will empower young professionals to realise that their voices matter and that there are spaces where they can contribute to driving the nation forward,” she told FMT.
The theme for this year’s forum, which will be held tomorrow, is “A Second Economic Takeoff: Malaysia’s Path to the New Economy”, and will focus on how the country can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“We believe Malaysia is at a critical juncture in its economic journey, especially in the post-pandemic period, and has undergone tremendous economic transformation.”
Topics like the digital and green economies are at the forefront, aiming to position Malaysia as a leader in the new era of economic growth.
A key addition to this year’s forum is the introduction of policy resolutions. At a recent policy roundtable with higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, the PFAA initially proposed 10 potential policies, which were later refined into five actionable strategies.
These strategies, informed by feedback from over 800 young professionals, will be presented at the forum as part of efforts to address key issues and future-proof Malaysian youth, with hopes of reaching the ministerial level to enact change.
The resolutions span crucial areas, such as improving education systems, supporting entrepreneurship, enhancing digital inclusion and prioritising sustainability.
By engaging young voices in the conversation, the forum ensures that youth perspectives are not just heard but translated into policies that impact their future.
The YEF aims to empower youth by showing them that their contributions matter, encouraging them to participate in policy-making and ensuring their ideas influence decisions at the highest levels.
“We often hear talk about an ageing society and how young people make up a large portion of the electorate. So we play a significant role in strengthening the country’s economy.
“The youth not only bring fresh perspectives but also diverse ones,” Ewanina said.
The forum aims not only to inspire but also to offer young professionals real opportunities to shape Malaysia’s future.