Zuhoor: Maldivians capable to championing youth voice in Asia

Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmed Zuhoor said Sunday night that Maldivian youth were more than capable of championing the youth voice in Asian region.

Speaking during the formation session of Regional Alliance for Fostering Youth (RAFY) held at Dharubaaruge, Zuhoor – who was chief guest of the ceremony - said that RAFY was a promising platform for Maldivian youth to champion the youth voice in Asia.

He said that youth development and empowerment was crucial to the country, especially as the greater part of Maldivian population consists of youth.

RAFY, an NGO registered with Home Ministry on February 24, aims to form a group of youth leaders from Asia to create a common platform they are fostered and nurtured through leadership mentoring, and by engaging them in constructive dialogue to address pressing issues they face.

During the ceremony, members of RAFY voted on the Executive Board of the organization for the next four years.

The Executive Board consists of Founder and President – Aishath Rafiyya, Vice President – Abdul Haleem Abdul Gafoor, Co-founder and Vice President – Nabahath Afeef, Secretary General – Aishath Rayaheen Shareef, Executive Board Members – Ismail Rifau, Hussein Shiham and Abdulla Shuhood, Treasurer – Mariyam Rifau, and Board Secretary – Imthinaan Athif Naseer.

The NGO’s official logo and website was also launched during the event.

RAFY has said that the organization was a platform to create next generation leaders. And that it was an opportunity for Maldivian youth to get to know about challenges facing youth in other countries, so that a holistic approach could be used to collectively address the challenges.

Minister Zuhoor said the government wanted to create opportunities for youth to excel, and pledged that youth – especially young women – would be given the opportunity to represent the state’s decision level boards.

Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra also spoke during the ceremony.

He stressed the importance of youth empowerment to address peace and harmony in Asian region. And pledged full support of Indian government to empower youth.

Other dignitaries in attendance during the ceremony include President of Hope for Women - Aneesa Ahmed, South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau, Vice President of Civil Service Commission - Jameela Ali Khalid, and Chairman of Maldives Ports Limited - Ali Rifau.

Total 102 invitees attended the ceremony.