The year 2014 has been another eventful year for AZAM.
In his Statement published in the 2014 Annual Report, AZAM’s Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani said AZAM was a key collaborator in some of the state’s seminars such as those on “Socially and Culturally Vibrant Cities and Towns” with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.
He also said AZAM’s youth development programmes had also seen a steady increase in the number of participation as well as in partnerships with other institutions both local as well from outside Sarawak.
Tan Sri Morshidi said during the year under review, AZAM also introduced new youth activities such as a collaboration with PETRONAS on a Youth Dialogue, which is a rural youth outreach activity to facilitate their interaction with the state’s leaders on development concerns in Sarawak.
AZAM had also continued to work closely with local radio stations and newspapers to disseminate useful information on current development happenings around Sarawak through its radio programme and newspaper development feature articles.
Meanwhile in his remarks at the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AZAM held last Saturday in Kuching, Tan Sri Morshidi who is also the State Secretary said if last year’s performance of AZAM was any indication, AZAM looked set to not only enjoy more productive years ahead, but is also well prepared to scale new heights.
He added, one of the highlights in 2014 was the launch of AZAM Online TV, an online video channel via Youtube, which was to help provide fresh and positive images of Sarawak to both local and international audiences. In this digital era, such move was a natural progression in AZAM’s efforts to communicate development information and knowledge quickly and more creatively, to the people of Sarawak and other stakeholders.
Among other things, the AGM agreed with the proposal to introduce a mentorship progamme for the youth members of AZAM aged 21-30, by the senior members. This is primarily to groom the younger members to be future leaders in the organisation, and to work towards a more strategic and coordinated development programme for the youth target groups in Sarawak.
Tan Sri Morshidi called on the senior members of AZAM to volunteer to mentor the youth members to help turn them into highly active volunteers.
On matters raised by members, a former Deputy Chairman of AZAM, Datu Dr. Hatta Bin Solhi suggested that more youths be encouraged to reach out and work with troubled youths.
Another member, Abang Haji Nawawi Abang Drahman said that in addressing problems of substance abuse among youths, those working with such troubled youths must be well trained.
YBhg. Dato William Wei, a board member of AZAM suggested that voluntary efforts should be made to provide more training opportunities for youths who are unemployed or lack job skills, especially by local industries.
AZAM presently has more than 100 members who are accepted based on their commitment to volunteer in capacities such as, members of various working committees, conference speakers, facilitators, or moderators, trainers, writers and judges of competitions.
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