paren nyawi's blog: The power of change is in the hands of the youth..

What are you afraid of losing due to modernisation?
With modernisation moving at a fast pace and advancement of technology, The Borneo Post SEEDS asked these leaders of these youth communities and NGOs what they were afraid of losing with increased globalisation and modernisation, with most answering culture, value and heritage.

“As a new generation of Dayak, I’m afraid of losing my culture and heritage especially the virgin Borneo rainforest that our ancestors have left behind for us to inherit,” said Paren Nyawi.

A chartered accountant by profession, before the 34-year-old joined politics, he was actively involved with NGOs as a social activist, spokesperson, talent and event organiser as well as a blogger for Borneo Cultural.

He was also announced as a potential candidate under DAP for the next state elections and is now a special assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling and protem chairman for DAP Katibas (N.55).

What would you like to see changed and maintained in Malaysia?

For Paren, he wants to see good governance, a clean government and clean elections.

“I want to see equality and social justice as a norm, value and dignity placed on human works. I want Dayak recognised as a main race in Malaysia because Dayak makes up 45.8 per cent of the population in Sarawak. We are Dayak not ‘Lain-Lain’.”

We are Dayak not ‘Lain-Lain’.”

As somebody who strives to be a ‘Voice for the Voiceless’, he feels that there is still a long way to go for poverty eradication efforts among the Dayak, 80 per cent of whom he says are still living in poverty.

Voice for the Voiceless’,

“A nation will function properly if it has strong institutions, a good system of governance, check and balance and accountability. We need institutions to uphold law and order, righteousness and social justice. To this end, every citizen can be an agent of change. As the youth, we are agents of change and have to be proactive in social-politic as an effort for youth empowerment and nation-building,” said Paren.

http://seeds.theborneopost.com/201r5/09/15/the-power-of-change-is-in-the-hands-of-the-youth/