Youth P.A.C.T. features critical discussion by connecting changemakers with aspiring students.

Promotional banner for the event (Source: Taylor’s College Website)

Youth P.A.C.T. 2023 brought national leaders, advocates and entrepreneurs to Taylor’s campus along with various NGOs to inspire Malaysian youths.

“Youth P.A.C.T. was conceptualised through shared sentiment. We are committed to be at the forefront of promoting youth leadership and development in collaboration with our longstanding partner, the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking (MIDP),” said Taylor’s College director Josephine Tan.

The 2-day event that ran through the late-June weekend received hundreds of attendees and dozens of exhibitors which included prominent NGOs, small businesses, and even Taylor’s students who were showcasing the works from their final projects.

Some of the NGO booths set up beside Taylor’s Grand Hall (Source: Self)

“As a communications student, we were able to work with the law students to come up with a campaign dedicated to raising awareness on sexual abuse and the various stigma around it,” said Sreeraam Sivaswamy, one of the student exhibitors promoting economic equality for women.

“So all of what you’re seeing here is the result of research and recommendation from those with a law background; and the marketing strategies of those with a communications background.”

Other than the student exhibitions, the first day of Youth P.A.C.T. also hosted forums and debates with politicians on local issues such as the rising cost of living and the representation, or lack thereof, of youths in politics. Speakers included Member of Parliament P. Prabakaran, and Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, YB Adam Adli.

On the second day, further forums and debates were held. The highlight of the day, however, was the Accelerator Workshops. Led by industry leaders and professionals, the workshops covered five different fields from digital literacy to career development.

“I attended the workshop on sexual harassment and creating a safe campus and I thought it was really insightful to participate in these discussions we had about the ways to promote a safer campus and university experience overall, especially as a first year student,” said 18-year-old Taylor’s College student Leroy Ko.

The event was closed with a feature showcase on various prominent Malaysian artists and figures in partnership with hUSH Theatre, a diversity-centric theatre organization dedicated to championing equality and minority rights across Malaysia. Among the speakers was human rights activist and lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, who delivered her monologue on human rights.

In 2022, the inaugural Youth P.A.C.T. hosted talks with prominent politicians such as MUDA resident Syed Saddiq, and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei.

“We hope that this event inspired you to get out there and make the first step towards making our world a better place, and we hope to see you all next year,” said director Tan during her closing speech.

Poet Shannya Preeya presenting her poem (Source: IG @flowerpowerpufff)