KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on the youth to stand up and effect change.
Anwar said the youth must, among others, champion humanitarian causes and address issues such as environmental destruction, marginalisation and corruption, with strong principles and values.
"There are many countries rich with resources, industry and development, but women continue to experience poverty.
"Our society requires energetic youth with ideas, ideals and principles, who believe in freedom, justice and humanity.
"Together, we can effect change," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the International Young Future Leaders Summit 2024 at the World Trade Centre here tonight.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and the ministry's director-general, Prof Dr Azlinda Azman.
The event was held with the aim of ensuring that the country's next generation of leaders are exposed to various national and global issues.
The programme, running from today through Sunday, will see the participation of over 1,000 student leaders from 46 countries.
Meanwhile, Anwar encouraged the youth to remain persistent and courageous in their efforts to drive change.
"Be tenacious, purposeful and courageous in your convictions to change. Share your knowledge, interact as much as possible, act wisely, work diligently and learn as much as possible.
"When I was young, we had to learn a lot, (today, when it) comes to you, you have to learn even more," he said.
He said this was because in the post-normal period, the demands in new disciplines have become even more challenging, with an unprecedented speed of change that is unlike anything seen before.