Representatives from eight countries – India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Srilanka – were part of the fourth SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Youth Camp that was inaugurated at the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur on February 11. The theme of the meeting was ‘Youth as Ambassadors in Global Partnership for Development’.
The camp was inaugurated by Prof S M Balaji, MDS, PhD, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Maldives in Chennai and the ceremony was attended by over 42 delegates and 80 students of RGNIYD.
Balaji, in his inaugural address, said, “The youth are an emblem of our future, the symbol of continuity. The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth. The quality of its youth determines the kind of future the nation will have. If we want to ensure a bright future for our country, we first need to strengthen and embower our youth and the question of tapping their enormous potential has assumed great importance,” he said. Balaji highlighted that SAARC countries have been culturally, geographically and socially related for centuries.
“Regional connectivity needs to be strengthened to substantiate our role in the global scenario. Recommendations for a common currency in the SAARC countries and relaxation of inter-country travel regulations need to be proposed,” he said.
He also participated in an interactive session with the students alongside D Jayalakshmi, Registrar and P Michael Vetha Siromony, Director, RGNIYD. The status of youth, youth polices and programmes in all participating nations were discussed at the camp.
SAARC Youth Camps are held annually to promote cultural interaction among the youth.