PATAN, MAY 28
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh asserted that the capable youth with a positive mindset could be the key driver for social transformation.
Inaugurating the Model United Nations-2025 organized by the National Youth Council at Lalitpur today, DPM Singh said that youths who are considered to be the source of creativity and courage would contribute to the nation identifying its needs.
Expressing concern over the growing trend of internal and external migration, Singh encouraged the Nepali youths to stay in and contribute to homeland rather than going abroad. "Today, more than ever, the nation needs its youth," the DPM expressed.
Recalling the establishment of the National Youth Council in 2072 BS to foster youth development and engage youths from policy-making to implementation, Singh called on youths for suggestions and contributions in government's initiatives.
The DPM also expressed his confidence that the summit could be useful in sensitizing youths about the pressing global issues such as ecological issues, environmental degradation, political polarization, international relations and nuclear weapons thereby urging the youths to engage in discussions, dialogue to forge a shared responsibility to address those issues.
Citing that 42.56 per cent of Nepal's population is aged between 16-40 years as per the latest census, he saw this period as the demographic opportunity to leverage the youth force for the greater good of the country.
Likewise, Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary acknowledged the youths' role in overall development of the country. He shed light on the creative pursuits of the Council to ensure youth's meaningful engagement in policy-making level.
He was confidence that the Model United Nations would help prepare the youths for leadership roles both at national and international levels.
Similarly, UNDP's Country Representatives for Nepal, Kyoko Yokosuka, recognized that the Model United Nations as a platform to foster diversity, inclusivity, diplomacy and democratic values.
Council's Vice-Chairperson Surendra Basnet informed that the four-day event aims to develop leadership among the youths and engaging them on deliberations and debates on the global issues, cultural understanding and Sustainable Development Goals among others.
Youths from various parts of the event are participating in this simulation programme.
