Invite International Youths To Next Million Youths Gathering, Say Foreign Tourists

By Fadzli Ramli PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), May 28 (Bernama) -- The Million Youths Gathering which can be categorised as one of of the largest carnivals in the world, should include international youths, say foreign tourists. Cecil Edward, 39 a school teacher from Missouri, United States, said with international youths present, Malaysian youths view about the world would be broadened, and also the views of international youths on Malaysia. "This is important for people in other countries to understand your country better. This gathering is a great way to create strong bonding between youth in all countries. "We never know someday a youth might become important person and with this bond, things will be great for both countries," he told Bernama here Sunday. The annual Million Youths Gathering, themed 'Make a Better Tomorrow' is being held in conjunction with the National Youth Day celebration and a total of 500 activities have been organised for the five-day carnival which began last Wednesday. "When we have a lot of people from different countries doing the same activity we will have a pool of different ideas, knowledge and all sort of things. This pool will help youths minds to grow thus creating a better generation than before," said Edward. His view was shared by Teresa Chung, 28 from Singapore, who added that the bond created by the youths would be a great thing for Malaysia-Singapore relationships. "We are seen as a rival in some cases like playing football, but we must not make it a bitter rivalry. Rivalry is good if both can gain equally. So when our youths meet in a gathering like this, they will rival each other. "But in the end, they will learn about each other, understand and build great respect for one another. The youths are our future, so when we create this bond with the youths, the future relations of our country will be bright," said the businesswoman. For Aidan Nielsen, 62, from Wellington, New Zealand, a gathering of international youths would create a better cultural exchange between countries and can be cultural exchange hub. "I saw a group of Malaysian youths performing capoeira (Brazilian martial art that combines dance and music) but when Brazilians youth are present, the Malaysian youths can learn more instead of learning it from the Internet. "I suggest international youths come to Malaysia maybe a week before the gathering so they are able to stay and learn about Malaysian culture, you can make the gathering as a finale for their visit," said the retired postal worker. Nielsen said international events in the gathering such as the Japan Fest was a good way to introduce foreign culture to Malaysian youth but interaction with international youth would do the job better. Meanwhile, Dominick Lenka, 54 from Durban, South Africa, was fascinated by the Malaysian's government way of approaching youths through this kind of event. "Not so many governments in the world would do this thing, many of them will be really scared of a rebellion if youths occupy the country's administration centre, but the Malaysian government invites youths here. "I think this gathering will make Malaysian youths understand their government better. But I'm a little dissapointed not knowing this earlier and not so much efforts to bring in tourists to this event," said the businessman. He said the next Million Youths Gathering should be better publicised in the international media and made one of the Malaysia's main event in the tourism calendar. -- BERNAMA