- 3 months ago
- #asean
What are the most crucial issues shaping youth development in #ASEAN — from economy and jobs to talent growth?
Can creative industries unlock the potential to amplify youth voices and address social challenges across the region?
Catch the discussion tonight 8.30pm on Dialog Anak Muda.
Can creative industries unlock the potential to amplify youth voices and address social challenges across the region?
Catch the discussion tonight 8.30pm on Dialog Anak Muda.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hi, good evening. I'm Amirul Ayman and you're watching Dialogue Anak Muda.
00:16Now recently, Malaysia wrapped up that 47 ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
00:21Summit that made one thing clear.
00:24The future of this region that depends on its young people.
00:28And tonight, we're hearing directly from the voices shaping the future for youth delegate
00:34who've gathered here in Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Creative Youth Gathering.
00:38And from Malaysia, we have Devitra.
00:40And from Singapore, we have Dharma.
00:42And from Brunei, we have Azee.
00:44And also from Tim Oleste, we have Felipe.
00:47Welcome everyone. Thank you so much for joining us for this discussion today.
00:51Now we want to begin in the first segment.
00:53We want to see the big challenge in terms of ASEAN in general.
00:56So in terms of its economy, what do you see as the most pressing economic challenge
01:02facing ASEAN's young people today?
01:05And how does that differ from perhaps the cities and also smaller communities?
01:10Debbie, maybe we start with you first.
01:12Do you feel the urban, rural divide is closing?
01:16Or is the digital opportunity still uneven between these two parts of the community?
01:23Yeah, I think it's definitely a different world.
01:26Urban and rural youth, especially whether they are studying and they are just trying to find a job.
01:32It's a totally different environment for both of them. It's not really equal.
01:36In general, I think there's a mismatch between the education and the lambatkan of graduates.
01:43And also the opportunity that they get, jobs that are actually equal to their level of experiences and also education.
01:51So in urban areas, maybe the competition is higher.
01:56But in rural areas, maybe there's not much chances or like jobs that are matching the education to cater and maybe the salary is lower because the demand is lower.
02:08So I think that's a very, very interesting thing to look at and also how our policies should actually cater specifically just for urban areas and also rural areas.
02:20Yeah, that's what I think.
02:21Dhamma, in Singapore's competitive market, is the issue really about access or the pressure to constantly perform?
02:29Dhamma, in terms of the access of digital?
02:41Oh, access of digital. I think because since Singapore is privileged with one of the highest speed of internet,
02:46and a lot of things that we get compared to our ASEAN brothers, in terms of the first things that we get in digital aspects,
02:56and also the technology that we can get.
03:00So the pressure, of course, is again when we are deemed to be leading the forefront and the pressure, you're right.
03:07We get the stress and that's why I think most Singaporeans, we are like, you know, we're scared to die.
03:13Yeah, we're scared to die and it's called KRC.
03:16So, but again, with that being said, right, we started off from mud land.
03:23Then we go to a city, then now to a metropolis. It's actually the hunger that we have.
03:28And I think that's where in every ASEAN country that we do have those kind of hunger.
03:32And the drive to be the number one, it can be in any country, if I were to be honest.
03:43And the pressure is for us to, whether we have it or not, the urgency.
03:50And because Singapore don't have resources, as we all know, and I think compared to Malaysia, we have the best nasil emak.
03:56We can't compare with that, I think that's maybe for you, I don't know.
04:00But in Brunei, you have oil and gas, and also for Timur State, you have all the resources.
04:05But we don't. Then that's why we need to be competitive and the excess, the government make sure that that is excess.
04:13And for ASEAN as well, Brunei has stability but limited diversification.
04:18Does that make young people more careful into taking risk?
04:22For me, one of the, you questioned earlier, is about the depressing economic challenges among the youth.
04:30I feel like one of the most pressing economic challenges among the youth in Brunei, it will be underemployment and lack of informal work.
04:41And the rise of informal work, which often lacks of job security and fair benefits.
04:48So, like, in urban areas, like, the youth often deals with the higher living costs and then, like, competition among the others and job skills mismatch.
05:03Meanwhile, for those who are staying in the rural areas, they tend to have, like, limited access to quality education and, yeah, with such a deeper, like, much more deeper barriers compared to those who are living.
05:17In urban, which is around Bandara Surigawan and those who are living in Tamburo area.
05:23Okay, Philippe, the newest member of ASEAN, congratulations for Timur Leste.
05:28Now, with ASEAN membership now official, what economic hope stands out for your generation?
05:34So, for the economic things, we, as we know that Timur Leste is a very, very teenager country.
05:46We, even my age is the same with my country.
05:50So, we do hope, like, very, like, growing up for our economics.
05:57And then, for joining the ASEAN, I hope that it will be levelling up our country as much as, like, what my beloved brothers of 10 ASEAN countries.
06:14So, from what I can gather here, so, different context from different countries, but a shared ambition across the region.
06:21Now, we move on to collaboration and opportunity within each country.
06:24Now, how can ASEAN governments and also the private sectors work together to create inclusive and also future-ready opportunities for the youth in countries?
06:35So, David, in Malaysia, we do see a lot of talks from governments about private and government cooperation working together to create more initiative.
06:45But do they really reach grassroots youths here in Malaysia?
06:50I think it depends. I admire what is the Malaysian government currently doing.
06:55They're doing their best doing the great programs about, you know, lifting the economies and in a lot of sectors.
07:02But sometimes I do understand the opportunities can get stuck in the middle.
07:09And it depends on the exposure of the youths itself, if they are also proactively searching for opportunities to go to events and everything.
07:18I think the most important part here is the youth and the government should also put in effort to meet each other in the middle.
07:28So, I think if we, if the youths also always blame or any, you know, like, we always blame the government and then say, like, they are not giving us opportunity, but we are not making the move, I think we are at the wrong as well.
07:41So, I think this, this part, it's a collective work between the youth and also the government.
07:47Yeah. So, honestly, for me, I am active. I love to join events. I manage events in general. So, when I get opportunities to actually go, like, this kind of event, like, for example, this ASEAN Creative Youth Gathering, it makes me feel important and my voice is actually heard.
08:06Yeah. And Dharma, what about you? What do you think about ASEAN governments and private sectors also to collaborate to create more inclusive and future ready jobs for the youth in your country?
08:15Internally, for my own country, we do have, like, for example, opportunities to start from young. And if, like, for example, like this, the government do have access to Ministry of Education where primary school students are able to go to, like, a science lab from a private company and for them to try out something new.
08:37Again, they might not understand the complexity, but they aspire to be as such. And then when they see, when it's grown from young, they are able to have the ambition and believe in it is the hope that I believe it counts.
08:51I believe it counts. And when there's an inter-ASEAN collaboration where, like, for example, a young student, I think, I believe it always needs to start from young. A young student from Malaysia, for example, go to Laos, for example, to understand maybe agriculture.
09:08Maybe they do their coffee or what. Again, if they want to do something aspiring. Or it can be the other way around where, in Malaysia, they can do, learn something about the firm industry and one aspires to be as such.
09:20That is the opportunity. It needs to start from young because that's how we change the next. And that's how I see both the private because they are investing for the future.
09:30Because I think private sector always think, like, 10, 20 years. So I think that's one of the areas they can look at.
09:36Great. And Azi, we've seen, there's a lot of talks about ASEAN Summit, you know, being government to government. Even Malaysian people itself, you know, we hosted the whole 47th ASEAN Summit.
09:47But it seems to be there's a disconnect between the people and the government. So now, with this kind of, like, summits go, it has ended already, but a lot of documents have been signed.
09:59But it's not just ASEAN government. It's also private partnership also has to take its role. So how do you see this creates more economic benefits for the youth, maybe in Brunei or maybe in the region, the youth in the region?
10:15To create more inclusive and future-ready job opportunities for young people, Asian governments and the private sector must collaborate through public-private partnership.
10:29This includes expanding technical and vocational education, like, in short term, also known as TVET, programs that aligns with the market needs and incentivizing internship and apprenticeships and promoting inclusive hiring, especially for the disadvantaged youth.
10:53In Brunei Darussalam, we've seen growth, growing support for youth skill development through initiatives like IREADY and youth development programs.
11:07But stronger collaboration with industries can further bridge the gap between education and employment.
11:15So across Asian, similar efforts can empower youth to thrive in a more digital, green, and connected economy.
11:24And Felipe, for Malay State, what do you think of, where would you see this government, Asian government and also private companies working together to create future-ready jobs for youth today?
11:36For me, actually, I'm studying here in Malaysia.
11:45What I see for this Asian youth gathering, it's quite, what do I say, like, I'm very honored, actually, for joining this activity.
12:02Because, as we know, Timor Les is the newest member, like, on a few days ago.
12:09And then, again, I do hope, like, for this collaboration, it's, like, we will grow up as our, as my beloved brothers from Asian countries.
12:24And then also, of course, collaboration in this era, it starts with connectivity.
12:29So I'm going to bring in this conversation to digital connectivity or digital readiness among the youth in the region.
12:37So ASEAN's digital economy could hit a trillion US dollars by 2030.
12:43But are our young people in the region ready for that scale of change?
12:49So, Devi, I want to get a sense of how Malaysia is doing in this digital readiness.
12:56Is internet access in Malaysia a given or yet is still a luxury depending on where you live?
13:03Hmm, very interesting question. I have lived both in urban and rural areas. My kampong is at Sabah.
13:12But I primarily live here in Selangor. I do see very much differences in terms of, like, digital literacy, digital access.
13:22So, when we talk about, like, urban areas, yes, you get internet connection that is strong, and then you get digital education, digital literacy that is, I would say, up to par every single transformation.
13:38You know, digital literacy, digital education is something that is moving very rapidly.
13:43So, while when I go back to Sabah, which is, like, a rural area in Malaysia, I can't even find a connection online.
13:54And it's not even, like, that rural, you know? So I think it's not about, like, yeah, on one hand, it's about, like, you having money to pay to get internet.
14:04But also, I think, how companies, private sectors, also reach out their market towards the rural areas.
14:13I'm sure maybe they have their own challenges, but I think what would really help is actually, like, through their CSR programs and everything, when they reach out to those rural communities,
14:23they can actually provide something after that, after hearing what they really want, something like that.
14:31Sharma, Singapore, AI and automation, I'm pretty sure, moving fast in your country.
14:36But I want to get a sense of, like, do young people see this as a threat, or perhaps it's an opportunity?
14:42Because we have been hearing this conversation of AI taking jobs among you. So what do you think?
14:47I think, and just by observing that, you know, the students, even when they submit their thesis or anything, they use ChatGPT.
14:54Again, from that, that statement alone shows that they are using it, and they are approved for that.
14:59And I, myself, as youth, is pro-AI. Even though, right, that, yes, it is true that it might take over jobs, but it opens a lot of possibilities and potential things that we can do and expand our mind.
15:12The only thing that I think worries is the over-reliance. I think we can talk about this.
15:17Because the over-reliance where there's an element of no human touch, especially in the creative field, or even towards something when we see people as numbers.
15:26That's where I think it will get darker. So that's why it's always good to make it like a co-pilot, and for us to be the main pilot driving the AI itself.
15:37So, in automation, what you mentioned, yes, I do see even in institutes of technical education, they are focusing on automation and the new industry 4.0 or 5.0.
15:52Oh, I don't know, why is it now? But, yes, they are doing automation. But then, again, we all have this discussion, when everything is automated, who is really in control?
16:01Then, if we suddenly go haywire, then, oh no, my parts are going all things and who needs to repair it? I think that's where it is still safe for my end to see that we still need people. So, I think it's still all good.
16:15And, Aziz, for Brunei, I kind of want to get a sense as well for the access. Is it the same as Malaysia? Because we have different, even though, you know, sometimes the government is saying one thing, but the rural area is saying, no, we didn't get any access.
16:30Because this initiative AI, you know, it's nothing when it has no access. So, what do you think? What is the accessibility of internet, maybe digital readiness in Brunei?
16:41And how should Bruneian youths use it to equip it to make sure that they are ready in terms of jobs that government has been producing in terms of AI and automation in your country?
16:55Digital access and digital literacy and access to the technology plays a critical role in empowering Asian youth by opening doors to knowledge, employment and global markets.
17:10However, the digital divide remains to a major barrier, especially in rural areas due to limited connectivity, affordability issues and lack of digital training.
17:26In Brunei, our government, they do make efforts like expanding internet, infrastructure and digital skills program that are helping to bridge these gaps.
17:42To further close the divide across nations, we need targeted solutions such as mobile-based learning hub, learning platforms, community tech hubs and inclusive digital initiatives driven by both public and private sectors.
18:00Ensuring equitable digital access means every young person can meaningfully participate in today's economy.
18:08And then, what about Timo Leste, Felipe? How do Timo Leste's young people should make the most out of this AI or digital infrastructure to stay connected?
18:23So, for Timo Leste, actually, as I told you guys before, we're still in a development process.
18:35So, actually, we're still connected with the AI.
18:39Right, I think it's in, like Tim, like that, like in Tim, like there's a big thing, like the chat GPT Black Box, like we got a lot of AI things in Tim
18:46Leste, but like the problems that we face actually it's the mostly for the internet speed, like, you know, as a as a development
18:55country, we face that a lot.
18:58life. And I want to bring this conversation to perhaps a more interesting topic, which
19:02is fair wages. Because I'm pretty sure we have seen the summit wrapped up and there's
19:09a lot of head of government shaking hands. But people in the region, especially the youth
19:14who present quite a huge number in the region, are wondering what's in it for us. And the
19:20most important thing is wages, because we need money to live, right? So what frameworks
19:27should ASEAN put in place to ensure a fair pay, decent work and safe mobility for young
19:33workers? Maybe, Devi, we'll go with you first. What do you think?
19:38You mean specifically for like just wages? Yeah. In general for digital? No, for general
19:47fair wages. Okay. I think it differs. Every ASEAN country has their own, I would say, living
19:54costs. You have to take all of that in. And I think like also sometimes initiatives to
20:03target, I would say, economic empowerment should target based on communities again, and where
20:08they are coming from. It should be personalized. I think the key word here is to personalize
20:13all of the initiatives, not just government, but also the private sectors, NGOs. I think
20:18all of these parties should work together in providing, I would say, you know, policies
20:25and initiatives to actually, and also like giving youths a platform to always voice out,
20:32for example, this dialogue. Yes. To always maintain, I would say, a conversation within the
20:40current youth to know what is the current demand from them. And I would say, again, it's actually
20:46also starting from home, like how you were brought up, and what is your family background
20:51and etc. So I think ASEAN in general could create like, I would say, a shared vision. I
20:58mean, we have a shared vision right now. But like, as far as I know, I think maybe we could
21:03have maybe a similar wage, a base, but then it could raise up specifically, depending on the
21:11country's economic growth, that could start something, at least for all ASEAN countries
21:18to, you know, flourish together. And Dharma, what do you think? Maybe perhaps policy or
21:24regional charter or framework that can be introduced by ASEAN itself to ensure that, you know, we
21:28have fair wages. Fair wages. I think it all starts towards like, to individual countries,
21:34they have their own, like, standard living and also, how much do you spend per day. And
21:41I think to demand, I think, okay, for wages, yes, I think everyone should at least eat lah.
21:46I think we all learn a lot of things. So, for us to demand, we need to see what we can provide,
21:54what we can give. What I think was discussed earlier on, whether they have fair access, whether
21:59what's the skills or even the digital literacy, to even have a good output for the whole world
22:08to benefit from, as a service, or now it's online. Now you can just buy anything and just
22:13sell online, that's an open area. So, there's a lot of revenues, and to demand that wage, again,
22:22I think I am, we need to give what we can give. And just what can be done, again, like what
22:29mentioned, make sure that each country, like Falempo, like Timor Lester mentioned, maybe
22:33better internet for them, so that they can do chat GPT better and do more projects. And
22:37that's just one example. So, that's what I think, and when everyone's connected with the
22:43internet, we can do wonders. Yeah. Great. And what about Azee? What do you think? Meaning
22:49more people, more young people now choosing to, sorry, many young people across the region
22:54are now like struggling with fair pay and also mobility. What kind of maybe perhaps regional
22:59policies that could help in terms of getting these young people the pay that they deserve?
23:06Fair wages and upward mobility are not privileges. They are what keeps the youth rooted in their
23:14countries. So, to injure fair wages, decent working conditions, and carrier mobility for Asian
23:23youth, it is essential to enforce minimum wages across, minimum wages standard across the Asian,
23:33across Asian, yeah, Asian youth, across sectors, sorry. Strengthening labor mobility agreements such
23:41such as mutual agreements, mutual recognition of qualification will facilitate smoother career
23:50transition within the region. Additionally, including the youth in policy making processes
23:56ensures that these policies remain relevant and effective for young people, for the youth.
24:02And what about Felipe, what do you think of, do you think, first of all, I want to get a sense of how
24:09Timor-Leste is doing right now. Do you think that the youth are being paid well there? And is your government
24:15doing enough? And perhaps with now the ASEAN Summit has just concluded, what do you think maybe ASEAN
24:21can help in terms of getting fair wages across the region? Yeah. So like for Timor-Leste now, for the, you mean wage for the youth?
24:30Mm-hmm. Again, Timor-Leste is like, as I say, the age of Timor-Leste is the same with my age. And so like our leader,
24:44mostly, is the X generation, millennial generation. So we don't get like many places in the government or in other
24:57So mostly we're, as a youth that already like graduated, mostly they're, the problem that we face is unemployment. So we need to go to another country to get money. Like we need to be there like for one or two years. And then we go back and then we do our own business. So the help that we need may be like, like, for one or two years. And then we go back and then we do our own business. So the help that we need may be like, like, for one or two years.
25:19And then we go back and then we go back and then we do our own business. So the help that we need may be like, like, for the government, maybe like, listen to the youth voices.
25:31So that's the sense of how the youth are reading into the ASEAN Summit. So in general perspectives of what's in store for them economically and also the fair wages and all that.
25:45But we're going to take a quick short break. And after this, we're going to see and listen to all of you guys on how ASEAN's youth are defining our identity through creativity and storytelling.
25:56So now we'll take a short quick break and we'll be right back after this.
26:15Welcome back. Earlier we talked about how ASEAN's youth are shaping the region's economy.
26:20Now let's shift to another force that's shaping our identity, which is creativity.
26:25Now through films and storytelling and cultural exchange, young voices across ASEAN are finding new ways to speak the truth and bridge divides and build connection.
26:34And with me here are the four youth delegates from the ASEAN Creative Youth Gathering.
26:40Devi from Malaysia, Dharma from Singapore, Azi from Brunei, and also Felipe from Temodeste.
26:45Now let's start with this. Storytelling and films have always shaped how society sees themselves.
26:52And how do you think young filmmakers and storytellers across ASEAN can use their voice to amplify how youth voices and spark honest conversations about societal issues?
27:05Now Devi, we'll start with you first. We've seen Malaysian youth. I've seen a lot of them talk about perhaps mental health issues and identity through short films.
27:14Why do you think stories can resonate better than statistics or speeches?
27:21That's the whole beauty of it. When you create content, I think it's way more closer and understandable. It's basic.
27:29We cannot expect everyone to understand the policies or written statements by the government, MOU and everything.
27:39The important key here is actually to make people understand even with the basic knowledge that they have.
27:46So through like storytelling, especially from youths, I think the innocence and also the rawness from the content and their experiences and then they implement their ideas into videos, short films and everything.
28:03That is what influences other people, not just even youths. Youths can also influence other generations as well.
28:12Also, I think in ASEAN in general, when I go to this kind of program, for example, this ASEAN Creative Youth Gathering,
28:20and I meet delegates and friends from other countries of ASEAN and then we talk, we chat and everything, I actually realize sometimes we do the same contents, we share the same idea.
28:33And in fact, ASEAN as a one identity is something that is actually true. It's not just about slogan and everything.
28:39So in general, I think that is the power of youth in ASEAN within the diversity that we have and we have to utilize that power to actually influence other people.
28:53Dharma, for Singapore youth who lives in such a very fast-paced country, how does storytelling perhaps become a reflection to the society or perhaps even rebellion?
29:04For Singapore youth, storytelling is actually a great way to actually express on what truly matters, but I always love to see more.
29:12What I love to see more is actually much more the actual representation, not what would look nice on camera.
29:19What I mean by that is like following the algorithms on what is trending and but telling the real Singapore story, the rawness, I think like what you mentioned and the cultural aspect and what shared values that ASEAN has.
29:32Yes, we share the same memes. I saw some of the ASEAN memes and I thought it's funny.
29:36And it's being told as a story. And there's even cross-collaboration with influencers or then tell the story out from the youth side. That's what I think would be nice.
29:47And it shows the rawness and that will sell. And there's 680 million ASEAN people who can watch this, which I think will break all blog office identity.
29:59I just mean very visionary.
30:02And Azee, how do you think young filmmakers and storytellers across ASEAN can actually use their art to amplify youth voices and just spark honest conversation about the society?
30:14Storytelling and filmmaking empower youth by providing platforms to share diverse experience. I feel like this is the way that they could tell us by sharing their stories, their experience.
30:32And with the digital platforms that we have nowadays, like social media, these stories can reach much more wider audiences instantly, raising awareness and inspiring change.
30:47Importantly, they also help preserve indigenous stories and minority voices, enriching Asians cultural diversity, fostering mutual understanding.
31:00And Felipe, Timor Leste, as a new member of ASEAN, I'm pretty sure a lot of people want to know the story of Timor Leste.
31:09So I'm going to ask you this question. I'm pretty sure Timor Leste has rich stories as well that many in the region may not even heard of.
31:16What do you think, what kind of stories do you hope that the region or maybe the people of the world sees from Timor Leste?
31:25Yeah.
31:26What I hope, like maybe the, I could say the story, like the story behind Timor Leste, it's like how we, how we fought to, to get independent.
31:35So it's because we actually like, we, we, we like, we went through a lot of struggles to, to be independent.
31:45Like, uh, I think some people may don't know that we actually, we, we already, uh, like claim ourselves as a free, free country, uh, in 1974, that we, in some, some situations we, we, they, the world didn't notice us.
32:02But after that, we, we get, we get our freedom on 2022. So I, I, I think I more prefer to, to the world to listens to, uh, the stories behind our independence.
32:15Just want to throw you a quick question. If let's say there's a production company that wants to do a documentary, would you be willing to work together with them?
32:23Uh, I don't know, but I think, I think yes, because it's, it's for my country. It's so I, I, I'm willing to do that.
32:31Okay. Awesome. So, and of course, telling stories is powerful, uh, but turning those stories into a career is a whole different challenge.
32:38I'm pretty sure all of you here agree. And across ASEAN's young filmmakers face, uh, similar hurdles, such as funding, distribution, or even recognition.
32:48Uh, what are some of the biggest barriers? All of you here, I think young creatives are still struggling with.
32:54Uh, and how can perhaps ASEAN or regional collaboration can help overcome, um, David, in Malaysia, is funding, funding often goes, uh, to establish, uh, names.
33:06What would help new voices break through those class ceilings? Yeah.
33:12Okay. When we look at, I mean, it come, it's okay. This is going to direct back to the answer to the first question you asked me.
33:21Uh, it goes both ways. Um, again, uh, I understand that, um, we, uh, as students, film students, or, like, um, students in general, maybe we, we are detached from, like, what is the government doing, the private sector is doing,
33:39because we don't have exposure, or we don't have family connections. We were not exposed to all of that.
33:45So, I think, um, I would say youth have to be more proactive in finding, uh, these grants, and also, uh, even, uh, the people who are going to sponsor us, our funders, also have to come in into our institution to actually, uh, you know, provide us the opportunity.
34:05I think, um, currently, um, in general, uh, looking at my, uh, film student friends, um, one problem they always share to me, uh, is, uh, lack of funding, uh, basically, uh, even for this program,
34:18when I ask if you want to join me for this program, they say, like, yes, if there's a chance to pitch and get a grant for my film project, that would be great.
34:25Um, so, uh, that's how, actually, the true situation, even in, like, for final year projects for film students in universities in Malaysia, uh, funding is the main problem, for sure, yes.
34:37Uh, institution for a certain amount, they can provide, but again, it's up to them, again, to find more grants.
34:44Um, and, um, and, uh, I think there should be, like, an established platform specifically to post, uh, about grants related to certain, certain sectors for students who don't have connections to the industry or anyone, um, who, uh, potential funders for projects, um, to actually find opportunities.
35:06So, like, like, a website, maybe, um, and, uh, students can go there and hunt for opportunities for grants, uh, even going to, uh, getting opportunities like all of us.
35:15Um, um, I think, um, that's something that I personally have worked on before.
35:21I, I had, like, an Instagram page to share about opportunities.
35:24So, I think that really helped, um, a lot of our youths to actually get opportunities, uh, for grants and to go overseas and everything, for example.
35:32So, yeah, yeah, I think maybe that's one initiative that maybe the government and the private sector can work on.
35:39So, Darmak Devi spoke about, uh, established platform to help overcome this struggle.
35:44So, um, Singapore's creative scene is, uh, competitive and also structured.
35:47Uh, what do you think maybe that can help, maybe the region can help in terms of overcoming those obstacles?
35:53Uh, region, uh, I think, uh, I'm a strong believer of, uh, self-initiative.
35:58Where, for example, like, for example, like, for example, one of the best, uh, short film, uh, for me in Singapore, Royston Tan No. 18, that's one of the best one.
36:05It, it, it, it shows the rawness of what Singapore government don't want to show.
36:09Uh, but again, it shows the positive things that, uh, a person of passion were able to really push through.
36:16No funding, I don't think so that there's funding.
36:18I don't think so that he get a lot of approval, but it's remembered because it resonates with a lot of those who, uh, um, fall under the cracks of society.
36:27Uh, and also, it reflects what's, what's the, the teenage rebellion back in, I think, the early 2000s did.
36:33Now, I feel so old, uh, right, um, for, for that itself, right, he made it and people remembered.
36:39And right now, I think he's doing well, he's doing some commercial, doing some, uh, government, uh, agenda stuff.
36:46But again, that shows, right, the potential of what a person can do without funding.
36:51And again, he got, I think, I'm not so sure he got into trouble or what, but he is remembered because he dared to do that.
36:58And I think if ASEAN members were to do the same, we now have this, we have a phone.
37:04This is what Gen Zs are having the privilege that I don't.
37:07I wanted to be a filmmaker too, but again, I need to, uh, do, uh, I, I need to have the camera back then.
37:13And I said to my mom, okay, mommy, I want to be a filmmaker.
37:16Okay, that's, you know what happened next?
37:18Uh, she said, well, you, what, you want to, you want to die, ah?
37:21You want, you want to be not, you want to be not, Asian parents, right?
37:28But then again, I do see other countries, like, for example, in Brunei, uh, I think Siti Kamaluddin,
37:33uh, had Yasmin as a one of the best, uh, one of the interesting film where it's about women doing silat,
37:41which is not normal, which I, I love this kind of stories, and shout out to her, Siti Kamaluddin,
37:45and especially to Brunei, being, um, like, what we'll see is, like, very structured, very proper,
37:51but it can go towards, uh, uh, uh, a stage where they can, uh, able to do it with their own self-initiative.
38:00That's what I'm trying to push here to all Gen Zs.
38:02We have phone, guys.
38:04Hashtag, ah, hashtag.
38:05Hashtags ASEAN or something, then we can support you.
38:08That's very interesting.
38:09And now I want to see, uh, from Brunei's perspective, Azee, what are the biggest challenges for emerging filmmakers?
38:16Is it getting support, or perhaps, or even getting visibility, yeah?
38:19What do you think?
38:19Um, young, young filmmakers, uh, they often face challenges, like, um, of course, like financial,
38:27like, we, we don't get funds, and then, like, when you don't get funds, you're lacking in a distribution,
38:34lack of distribution channels, and, of course, you're, you're young,
38:38and you're just trying to make your, making your name in this industry, of course,
38:42nobody knows who you are.
38:43So, it's so, like, of recognition.
38:46And, of course, uh, in some countries, um, there are censorship and also political restriction
38:54that often hinders, um, creative freedom.
38:57Um, so, in order to address these barriers, right, regional collaboration, um, um, by establishing
39:09ASEAN-wide funding pools, um, and grants, creating shared platforms for distribution, advocating for creative rights,
39:18to ensure that filmmakers can't express their stories, um, freely.
39:25And, and, and, and for, uh, Philippe, uh, for Timo Leste, access itself, I know it can be a barrier, uh, for everyone,
39:32not just Timo Leste.
39:33How do you think collaboration with ASEAN now, with your ASEAN peers, can help lift your creative scene?
39:41Uh, yeah, for now, like, um, for our creative scenes, I, I can say, like, we're, we're very lack of, like,
39:50about film things.
39:52Most, and I think in a creative industries, we're more to, uh, to Indonesia.
39:57Like, we're, we're more collaborating with Indonesia, but in, in a music things.
40:01So, I think, uh, for this collaborations in ASEAN, I think it will be, like, uh, we will be growing up
40:10with our, uh, filmmaking things in, in, I think, in a, in a, in a next two years, next five years.
40:17Mm-hmm.
40:18Yeah.
40:19And, and, and that's where, uh, gathering like this come in, not, not, not just to showcase talent,
40:24but also to sustain it as well.
40:26So, I'm moving to this conversation to the, how to build a sustained, sustainable, creative,
40:31ecosystem, right?
40:32So, events like the ASEAN, uh, creative youth gathering brings energies and ideas, but also,
40:38uh, sustainability is key.
40:40How can initiatives like this gathering help build a creative ecosystem that helps one that
40:46truly support young filmmakers across the region?
40:48Devi, uh, what do you think makes a program like this impactful?
40:52Yeah.
40:53Um, as someone who has been to feel, uh, I'm, I would say I'm privileged enough to, uh,
41:01attend a few ASEAN youth events.
41:03Uh, I think the main thing is connection.
41:06Like I said earlier, um, to progress, uh, in anything that we do, we need to know people.
41:11We need to build meaningful relationships so that we can work together.
41:15Uh, you know, you don't just rush into it and you work with somebody you don't know,
41:19you might have conflicts.
41:21Uh, that's a very human thing.
41:23Uh, and that's why I think, um, in ASEAN, I think despite our differences, uh, we also have
41:28this, I would say like, um, I don't know, uh, ASEAN sibling relationship.
41:34Yeah.
41:34So I think every time I go to this ASEAN events, uh, I find it easy to actually mingle because
41:41we share a lot of things, um, a lot of similar things together, maybe, uh, struggles, even
41:47our culture, everything, trauma and also our advantages.
41:52Trauma bonding is, yeah, but also again, uh, sometimes I think, um, when we talk about
41:58like this kind of event, for example, this ASEAN creative youth gathering in general, um,
42:03a lot of, um, youths are brought from all 11, uh, ASEAN countries right now.
42:08Uh, connection is a very important thing that we gain here and also exchange of ideas.
42:14Sometimes maybe in Malaysia, um, maybe we are allowed for a certain topic only, but maybe
42:20Timor-Leste, Brunei, Singapore, they are allowed for another, uh, topic.
42:24And then when we meet together, uh, we actually got to know about that topic and then we will
42:29be inspired to do maybe something related to that, but in our context.
42:32Uh, so I think, um, there's a lot of things you can always, uh, get when you go to this
42:39kind of events.
42:40Uh, always, I would say, uh, it's not about like where or how many countries that you have
42:46gone to, but how much people and how much, uh, exchange of ideas, uh, culture is what
42:53matters when you actually meet people.
42:55And that is actually your main knowledge.
42:58Yeah.
42:59When you go back home now, how, how do you keep this momentum alive?
43:04Do you think there's enough, uh, continuity after such events?
43:08Um, uh, for, for this, again, like what I'm, I do agree that for things to be sustainable,
43:15there need to be money involved.
43:16Again, I think that's a wonder set reality, but this is where there's open up new opportunities.
43:21Like, for example, I'm thinking maybe the next one, we have a bit of commercialization
43:26element inside.
43:26That's how I think most filmmakers survive.
43:29So with the element, like, for example, the next place is, uh, next ASEAN place could be
43:33like Philippines.
43:33Uh, it's right, right?
43:35Yeah.
43:35So for then maybe Jollibee, okay, Jollibee is going to sponsor the, the next, uh, short
43:40firm talking about their own product.
43:42And then that itself, right?
43:44There's a, uh, commercial element, there's money element.
43:47Maybe just put, uh, maybe, uh, uh, 2,000 USD and you for, hey, I want that money, man.
43:54And broadcast it to all Asian states.
43:57Then we, I, I'm thinking this new thing.
43:59AI can, uh, dub, dub languages, right?
44:02So we can make it into different languages just, just to, to have that as an element.
44:07And that will be sustainable when we have private, like we mentioned earlier, how can
44:11private and, um, government, government or Asian be involved together.
44:15This is, is the few things and Jollibee, I'm looking for that, uh, sponsorship or maybe
44:19I want some free food.
44:21Just, just Jollibee.
44:22Jollibee, Jollibee paid me, no.
44:24Hopefully, hopefully.
44:25That's, that's what, how I think.
44:27Okay.
44:27Okay.
44:28Excellent.
44:28So, uh, Azzy, Brunei's creative community is technique, but how, how do you see this
44:32kind of gathering expand those circles, the regional networks, yeah?
44:36Um, initiative like this Asian creative youth, yeah, it's simply, so coming from a different
44:44background, uh, I'm actually a construction student.
44:47Oh, okay.
44:48So, yeah, and it is quite new, but then it is amazing that I get to meet people like,
44:55wow, filmmakers, sort of, like, I feel like this helps them to, that this also helps me
45:01to, to see how does it feel to be involved in a different industry.
45:07So, I may not know much about this industry, but it helps me to learn, and I really hope
45:14that there are more opportunities given to me to have this, to join, to participate in
45:20this again.
45:22So, yeah.
45:24Okay.
45:25Uh, Philippe, as one of the delegates from, uh, Timor-Leste, what long-term support, uh,
45:30that you hope that ASEAN community will extend to young creatives in your country?
45:34Uh, no, for young creatives in my country, um, I, actually, like, same as her.
45:43I'm, I'm an IT student, actually, but, but for the creative things, I think, uh, I think
45:49the collaborations, like, the collaborations in, in a creative way, like, uh, doing a film
45:55things, and, like, maybe some, some, some friends from Asia, uh, from ASEAN will, will
46:01come to our country, and then do collaboration for some of our stories.
46:05I think that, that will be, like, really help.
46:07And then, uh, some of, like, the mentors will, will share their, like, what they have, what
46:13they, what they know in our country.
46:15I think that, that, that could be helped more for, for the development of, like, filmmaking
46:20things in our country.
46:21And, uh, I've noticed that with this whole conversation, discussion that we have, the
46:26first segment, or the second segment, we've been talking about how the region itself can
46:30help the youth.
46:31But, I believe that, uh, the youth must help themselves as well, right?
46:35In terms of, uh, to drive their own, uh, creative talent in the country.
46:40And, uh, so, I want to ask each and one of you, uh, what kind of message that would
46:45you send out to the youth in your country, or in the region, or the whole world, and maybe
46:52perhaps share some of your stories as well.
46:54How do you get into this industry?
46:56With all of the obstacles that you mentioned before, I'm pretty sure there's, you know,
46:59there's some times that you might give up, but what makes you, uh, keep continuing,
47:04you know, doing this good work in terms of creativity, storytelling itself?
47:09It starts with Devi first, yeah.
47:10I think it's all about passion, honestly.
47:13Uh, I, I also strongly believe that everything that you do have to start from passion, and
47:19it has to be genuine.
47:21Um, when we talk about, like, uh, you know, creative content, it's a very, um, I would
47:27say sensitive, um, I would say industry, especially when we talk about, like, uh, having our own
47:34ideas, um, it's, it can be common, it can be very, very specific.
47:38Um, I think that's one of the things that we also shared in our statement, uh, yesterday
47:44during our gala dinner, uh, one thing about, like, intellectual property of ideas.
47:49I think, um, for example, like, when we pitch, um, about our film ideas, or any, like, creative
47:55content creation ideas to potential funders, or, um, maybe organizations, uh, they decided
48:03not to take us, but take our ideas.
48:05Um, I think that cases has happened, but not really talked about.
48:10Um, and I think, like, um, our statement yesterday, uh, stated pretty clear that, um, our ideas
48:17should be protected.
48:18So, um, the youths also have to be smart to actually, um, I would say, uh, play the industry.
48:27Um, you also have to be smart in protecting what is yours, but at the same time, also to
48:33gain, um, what you want, but it has to be a win-win situation.
48:37If only you want things from people, people also don't want to give to you.
48:40Yeah, so, um, I think the important message here is, um, be proactive, uh, be proactive,
48:49be smart about it, and you have to, you have to be structured, uh, and strategize about every
48:57single step that you do.
49:00So, be proactive, be structured.
49:02What about you, Dharma?
49:03And you say to yourself, Singaporeans are very strict about, yeah, children into the creative
49:07industry.
49:07What are the messages you have?
49:08For, for, for, for, for that, I, I think, yeah, I just continue hungry, and, uh, because
49:13you need to do, work two jobs, that's the reality, uh, but, um, but I'm just putting,
49:17talking more of my, our ASEAN brothers here, because, uh, like, when we talk about, like,
49:21for example, Singaporeans do have the digital access, I know my friends who are in Indonesia,
49:26who do not have, like, I still remember that one of my friends, in Sidoarjo, his name
49:31is Izul Haq, a very interesting story, because, right, I connected with him, he was using
49:36a wooden plank, and a CPU on top, and a broken monitor.
49:41Okay.
49:41Just imagine that, that was around, uh, three years ago, because of, uh, access of AI,
49:48access of, um, uh, digital access, just a bit, and he had 30, uh, email accounts just
49:55to get free sign-ups of things.
49:57He is able to get a laptop now.
49:59I'm so proud of him, in Sidoarjo, yeah.
50:03It's a rural area, as we mentioned in the youth statement, that we want to have access
50:07in urban and rural areas, too, with this equal access, like, for me, I feel like, I could
50:12have just given him, given him a Mac Mini.
50:15Yeah, but, uh, again, uh, how to send over, that's one thing.
50:18And also, who knows, I cannot scam, also, I do not know.
50:21Then, you know, one thing that's important, that's even more, like, he was, I mentioned
50:25about hunger.
50:25Yeah, he was hungry, he, he got it, now he's working with EA and doing some mobile
50:29legend, uh, some promotion, which is awesome.
50:32And not only that, he teaches others in his community, and that's where I see the noble
50:36thing, and we need more people, like Izzul Haq, in Sidoarjo, yeah, I just hashtag the guy.
50:42Such an inspiring story, yeah.
50:43Yes.
50:44Okay, Aziz, Brunei, rich in culture, rich in history, uh, you know, we, we need someone,
50:51to, youth in Brunei, to tell the stories, keep on telling the stories.
50:55The beauties of Brunei, what kind of message, you yourself are construction students, right,
50:59so what kind of message would you send to the youth in your country today, to keep on
51:02trying, and keep on driving the passion of storytelling in your country, yeah.
51:07Uh, as a construction student, yeah, like, I, I'm, I'm not sure what kind of message I
51:14should say to the, to the filmmakers, and to the young filmmakers, but, for what I literally
51:20can say, yes, um, this is, like, literally my first time joining this kind of events,
51:25so, like, I would say that, yes, of course, it gives me the opportunity to be able to, to
51:30know people, to connect with people who are coming from a different background, um, who
51:35are also, like, you know, like, probably, who knows, in the future, I might be working
51:40with them, like, of course, in the creative industry, but, what messages I could say to
51:46those, uh, well, your question is, what kind of message I could say to those who wants to
51:52be a young filmmakers, am I right?
51:53Yeah.
51:53Uh, I would say, yeah, just do it, don't give up, just do it, just tell your story, because,
52:04you know, like, story making, like, this is the way you could use, like, we're living in
52:10the, in a generation where the digital, we have the digital access to, like, social media,
52:16this is, like, the way you could tell your story, your experience to the world, like, you
52:21can create an awareness, like, for example, mental health, like, yeah, mental health, like,
52:27not really people, not, not really people are well aware about the importance of taking
52:33care of mental health.
52:34Felipe, uh, what do you think of, uh, new, as a new member, you know, what kind of message
52:41of, would you send to the young filmmakers, or the youth in general, in your country, you
52:44know, now that Timbala Sea is a part of ASEAN, maybe now there's new opportunities, but also
52:50for youth to grab the opportunity, what kind of message would you send to young filmmakers
52:53in your country?
52:54Uh, I think, I just want to say, like, a few things, like, youth voices matters, so, like,
53:01we can, we can make a change with our voice, we can, and then, again, just do it, like, no
53:07matter what, just do it.
53:08If you fail, then, just, uh, stood up, and then, go ahead, just do it.
53:15So, that is the message that was sent by delegates from ASEAN youth, which is, just do it, be smart,
53:22proactive, but in the end, the youth need to speak up and tell their story, so thank you, David.
53:27Can I add one more, the last one, because I think, I just recalled that I made a promise
53:31to one of my friends in, uh, uh, Timur, so, so this is just one to shout out for, for all,
53:38because, again, um, it is the, the hard access for, for them to get, um, uh, like, eat, or
53:46anything, or even access, and, like, uh, they end up being Freemans in, in Indonesia.
53:53So, the reason why, shout out for them, they are youth, they, they had a dream, but they
53:59end up being a Freemans, which is, uh, considered a gangster, and what they, they told me before
54:04that, if we had the opportunity, do you think we want to do this?
54:08So, what I'm telling this story is, because, right, we all have privileges, and those countries
54:13who have more privileges than others, we need to help each other with the limits that we
54:18can, and the original collaboration, and also, since we are siblings, I think this
54:23is something, and, uh, we've, with that, I think, we, we can do something about that, and
54:31just, uh, shout out to that, because I, until today, I think about that, because I'm, look
54:36at myself, I'm privileged, and things, and, um, $10 meant a lot to them, I'm like, I feel
54:42so, is there something that we can do, to give them the opportunity, because we have 680
54:47million people that we have, can push forward, and that's what I want to say to the youth,
54:52that, we can help each other out, yeah.
54:56That's a wonderfully food message there, Dharma, thank you so much, thank you, Devie, thank
55:00you, Dharma, thank you, Azi, and thank you, Filipe, for sharing your perspective openly tonight,
55:04from economic empowerment, to, uh, creative expression, one thing stands out, that us and youth
55:10aren't just participating, but they are driving the changes in the region.
55:14I guess that's all the time that we have for tonight's Dialogue Anak Muda.
55:18I'm Ian Raymond, thank you for watching, and good night.
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