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Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Youth leaders chart a future-ready ASEAN at youth dialogue
by SHAUQI WAHAB THE fourth ASEAN Youth Dialogue 2025 brings together a dynamic cohort of youth delegates from across South-East Asia (SE Asia), each representing their nation's next generation of changemakers. These young leaders, chosen for their dedication to community development, sustainability, digital innovation and diplomacy, gathered in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to exchange ideas, share experiences and shape a collective vision for a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready ASEAN. Timor-Leste: ASEAN Membership Offers Path to Shared Growth As Timor-Leste continues its journey toward full ASEAN membership, its youth representatives are expressing strong optimism about the regional bloc's potential to support national development and entrepreneurship. Speaking during the ASEAN Summit week in KL, Timor-Leste youth delegate Francisca Freitas Sang highlighted the importance of joining ASEAN as a milestone for her nation. 'We try to put all of our efforts to be with this community, because we believe that ASEAN will help us as a new nation to become better, to develop,' she said between sessions during the dialogue. She added that Timor-Leste is prioritising infrastructure development and youth entrepreneurship as key areas to strengthen its economic foundation before full accession. Local businesses, especially those led by young people, are being empowered to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability. Timor-Leste has also received capacity-building support and technical assistance from existing ASEAN members, which she said has been crucial to national preparations. The country hopes to contribute to ASEAN in areas such as culture, eco-tourism and the globally recognised coffee industry. Reflecting on Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN chair, Sang praised the summit's organisation and said it offered valuable lessons. 'Now that I'm here, I see the reason why, and I'm so glad. I think we are still far behind Malaysia, and we can learn so much,' she added. As the only remaining SE Asian nation outside ASEAN, Timor-Leste was granted observer status in 2022 and continues to progress through the membership roadmap. Sang believed that becoming part of ASEAN is not just a political goal, but a shared aspiration to grow together with the region. Singapore Calls For ASEAN-wide Youth Partnerships on Climate and Digital Literacy Youth delegate from Singapore, Khairul Hilmi, called for stronger ASEAN youth collaboration on critical issues such as climate change, sustainability and digital literacy, highlighting the power of cross-border friendships and shared learning to shape the region's future. He said young people play a pivotal role in charting the region's path forward. 'When all these friendships develop over time, I think that's when you get good partnerships and collaborations,' he said. Representing Singapore on a regional platform, Khairul also mentioned the importance of using this opportunity to understand the diversity within ASEAN and the different societal challenges that exist. While countries like Singapore are leading in digital and financial literacy, they too are constantly adapting to emerging challenges such as misinformation and digital ethics. On environmental action, he praised the active participation of Singapore's youth through ground-up initiatives and government partnerships like youth panels focused on recycling and sustainability policy. Reflecting on his experience in Malaysia during the summit, Khairul expressed admiration for the high standards of hospitality and the relevance of the summit's theme. 'Malaysia is top class when it comes to hosting events — they walk the talk,' he said. Khairul also hoped that youth-led efforts on climate action and digital inclusivity would be further expanded across ASEAN, driven by a collective desire to do good and make tangible changes in their societies. Indonesia Champions Inclusivity and Digital Equity Indonesian delegate Ibnu Alif Daffa Gymnastiar brought a passionate voice to the regional conversation, placing a spotlight on inclusive education, equitable digital transformation and youth collaboration. A member of the Indonesian Youth Diplomacy, a prominent NGO focused on global issues, he said his mission is to ensure that knowledge regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global issues are localised and accessible to all Indonesian youth, especially those in eastern Indonesia. Coming from the easternmost part of Indonesia, Ibnu views his participation in the ASEAN Summit as a personal commitment to inclusivity and representation. 'I stand up not only for Indonesia as a whole, but also for Eastern Indonesian youth,' he said. He touched on the disparities in access to education and digital tools between the western and eastern parts of his country. The lack of digital infrastructure is a serious concern and many youths in remote areas do not even know how to use Microsoft Word. In addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation, Ibnu mentioned the need for ASEAN governments to provide tailored digital literacy programmes. 'We are the ones who decide which information from AI can be used. It is not AI that regulates us, but it is us that regulate AI,' he added. He also welcomed Malaysia's warm hosting and praised the proposal to establish the ASEAN Youth Dialogue (AYD) Alumni Network, saying it would help sustain meaningful collaborations long after the event. Through this summit, he hopes to return to Indonesia not only with renewed optimism but with a stronger mandate to advocate for policy reforms that prioritise inclusivity and youth empowerment across ASEAN. Vietnam Calls for Inclusive Education and Regional Unity Representing the voice of Vietnamese youth at the ASEAN Youth Dialogue 2025, Nguyen Nam Bao Ngoc brought forward a powerful message of unity, innovation and inclusive development. A student of international relations and international commercial law, Nam is also a central committee member of the Vietnam Youth Federation, deeply engaged in issues of youth empowerment and education. At the summit, she stressed the critical role young people must play in shaping ASEAN's future. 'Our generation holds the power to drive innovation, promote inclusive growth and safeguard sustainability in ASEAN,' she said. For her, the youths are not just participants, but architects of regional transformation. Nam highlighted education equity as a top concern, showing the need for equal learning opportunities regardless of socioeconomic background. For this, she believes regional collaboration must extend to digital innovation and sustainability, and she called for initiatives like start-up incubators, hackathons and cross-border upskilling programmes to help ASEAN youths thrive in the digital age. She also expressed support for the creation of a regional green youth fund and stronger youth inclusion in policy-making, while stressing the importance of cultural understanding. 'Peace is not the only absence of conflict, but the presence of understanding,' she added. For that to materialise, people-to-people ties among ASEAN youth are vital for long-term harmony and prosperity. With a clear voice and collaborative spirit, her vision reflects a broader aspiration among ASEAN youth: To build a region that is green, inclusive, and future-ready — together.
Montreal Gazette
24-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec doctors react to Bill 106: ‘We can't meet those demands'
The Corner Booth Doctors in Quebec say they're already stretched beyond their limits. Now, as Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé is tabling Bill 106, our province's physicians are once again sounding the alarm over the disconnect between the CAQ government and those on the front lines on how to improve access to health care. The bill would give the government authority to decide how health professionals are compensated. In theory, this could incentivize doctors to take on more patients, but according to family physicians Laura Sang and Christina Bianchini, this week's guests on The Corner Booth with hosts Bill Brownstein and Aaron Rand, this plan isn't pinpointing the root causes plaguing our system. 'I worry about the way that we're targeting physicians specifically, with a lot of undertones that we're not working hard enough, that this is only going to exacerbate the problem by having more physicians burn out, potentially leave the province, or even leave medicine altogether,' said Sang, who practises in St-Jerome. 'I'm already doing as much as I can,' said Bianchini, who practises in N.D.G. 'If I were to have another 1,000 patients rostered under me, the wait time to see me is 3-4 weeks, that'll grow to 3-4 months. Nothing is lining up for us with this solution.' The pair concluded by sharing their concerns for the future, while also saying there are ways to improve access to health care from their perspective, but doctors don't feel included in the process. Sang's message to the health minister: 'Please consult us.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vietnam War Doc ‘Child of Dust,' Produced by ‘The Stringer's' Bao Nguyen, Acquired by Rise and Shine Ahead of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
Berlin-based Rise and Shine World Sales has acquired international rights to Weronika Mliczewska's 'Child of Dust,' a documentary produced by 'The Stringer' director Bao Nguyen which has its world premiere in the main international competition of the Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival. Mliczewska's sophomore feature follows Sang, one of countless children left behind by American soldiers after the Vietnam War. Stigmatized and abandoned, he spends a lifetime longing for the father he never had. When he unexpectedly locates his gravely ill father in the U.S., he's determined to meet him, even at the heavy cost of leaving his own family behind in Vietnam. More from Variety Thessaloniki's Industry Head on 'Embracing' Change, Providing a Safe Harbor for Documentary Filmmakers in Turbulent Times 'We Live Here,' About a Former Soviet Nuclear Test Site, Boarded by Syndicado Ahead of CPH:DOX Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) 'Adobe of Down,' About a Religious Community in Siberia, Picked Up by Taskovski Ahead of CPH:DOX Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) In an unfamiliar land, Sang's dream of belonging clashes with an unexpected reality, as he finds himself an outsider both in American society and within a family that never knew he existed. But in the search for his father, he discovers something even more profound — his own strength to break free from the past and redefine his future. 'Child of Dust' is written and directed by Mliczewska and produced by Mliczewska, Chi-Minh De Leo and Bao Nguyen, director of the buzzy Sundance premiere 'The Stringer,' which sparked controversy over its claims that the legendary Vietnam War photo of 'Napalm Girl' was deliberately credited to the wrong photographer. The film is also co-produced by Michał Sikora, Antonio Russo Merenda and Andrzej Łucjanek. Associate producers are Jim Stark, Brian Hjort, Paweł Ziemilski and Mateusz Wajda. In a director's statement provided to Variety, Mliczewska described the film's origins as 'deeply personal.' 'Eight years ago, while in Vietnam for another documentary, I encountered Amerasians — people whose lifelong search for identity had shaped their lives. Seeing how deeply emotional they still were about not finding their American fathers — even 50 years later — I realized this is not a story of the past, but of the present,' she wrote. 'Having traveled to over 90 countries and living abroad for years, I understand what it means to feel like an outsider — even in my own country. Sang's story resonated with me because, like him, I've been on a quest for identity and understanding,' she continued. 'Filming Sang's journey changed me. It unfolded across continents, during a global pandemic, as I was starting my own family. Like Sang, I learned that true home is found in the bonds we build. With a background in anthropology, I aim to give voice to those erased from history and show how even the deepest scars can lead to healing.' Describing 'Child of Dust' as 'truly amazing' and predicting a lengthy festival run after its Thessaloniki premiere, Rise and Shine festival manager Anja Dziersk said the film 'stands for a very universal longing for connection and belonging to a family,' one that underscores the Vietnamese saying that 'a child without a father is like a house without a roof.' Stefan Kloos, Rise and Shine's managing director, pointed to the estimated 300,000 children that U.S. soldiers had with Vietnamese women during the Vietnam War and said Mliczewska 'did a tremendous job in locating one of those left-behind children.' ''Child of Dust' achieves what distinguishes a good documentary from an outstanding one: It sheds light on this forgotten history, it reveals how the legacy of war continues to shape lives today — and on a universal level it speaks about the scars and traumas that every war leaves behind,' said Kloos. 'This film is a real gem for streamers and public television and so timely with the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam.' Mliczewska added: 'From the very beginning, Rise and Shine's enthusiasm for 'Child of Dust' stood out. I first met them in Prague at East Silver Market and later at the rough cut stage preview at where I instantly felt their genuine excitement for the film. They truly believe in it, and that connection means a lot to me. At the same time, they are highly professional, and as a boutique company, they can give full attention to the projects they choose. I trust their passion and expertise to bring this film to the audience it deserves.' 'Child of Dust' is produced by Ya Man Studio in co-production with Lonely Production, Ginestra Film, Clubhouse Films and FixaFilm, with the support of the Polish Film Institute, Telewizja Polska, Al Jazeera Documentary, the Czech Audiovisual Fund, the Swedish Film Institute, the Ministry of Culture within the National Recovery Plan, Creative Vouchers Initiative and the European Union's Next Generation E.U. initiative. The Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival runs March 6 – 16. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in March 2025
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Coexistence, My Ass!,' ‘Free Leonard Peltier,' ‘GEN_' Among Competition Lineup at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (EXCLUSIVE)
Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival has unveiled the International Competition lineup for its 27th edition, which runs March 6-16. The selection includes three films that had their world premieres at Sundance, 'Coexistence, My Ass!,' 'Free Leonard Peltier' and 'GEN_,' and one that debuts at Berlin, 'Under the Flags, the Sun.' The rest are world premieres. The top prize, the Golden Alexander, is accompanied by a cash prize of 12,000 euros, and the Silver Alexander is accompanied by a cash prize of 5,000 euros. The festival is an Oscar qualifying festival and the film that wins the Golden Alexander will automatically be eligible to submit for Academy Awards consideration in the Documentary Feature category. More from Variety 'Under the Flags, the Sun,' About Paraguay's 35-Year Dictatorship, Acquired by Cinephil Ahead of Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) Alex Ross Perry Says Christopher Nolan's 'Miraculous' 'Dunkirk' Was Main Inspiration for 'Pavements,' Calls Out 'Unforgivable' Scripts Netflix Nearing $5 Million Deal for 'Perfect Neighbor,' Sundance Documentary About Florida's Stand Your Ground Law (EXCLUSIVE) Here's the lineup of the International Competition:'Bull's Heart,' Eva Stefani, Greece (world premiere)Why do we do what we do? This documentary offers an intimate portrait of renowned choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, exploring his creative process. It follows him behind the scenes and during the tour of his show, 'Transverse Orientation,' revealing an existential journey as he seeks meaning in a chaotic world. 'Sculpted Souls,' Stavros Psillakis, Greece (world premiere)Swiss dentist Julien Grivel for 26 years treating Hansenites (lepers) for free in Greece. An experience that helped him see the world and life differently. 'By adopting the language of the Greeks, I unconsciously adopted their thinking,' he says. His friendship with Manolis Fountoulakis (ex-Hansenite) was a catalyst. 'The Goals of August,' Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, Greece (world premiere)A kaleidoscope of events, incidents and moments from the everyday life of a village in southern Pindos mountains during an impromptu soccer tournament. The documentary's aim is to create, through observation, an 'impressionistic' portrait of a small community in summer. A portrait with light and shadows, charming and sometimes frightening, which despite its contradictions is, above all, unexpectedly alive and genuine. 'Child of Dust,' Weronika Mliczewska (world premiere)Sang is one of countless children left behind by American soldiers after the Vietnam War—unwanted, discriminated against, and scarred by a war that took more than just his father. When Sang unexpectedly finds his gravely ill father in the U.S., he becomes determined to meet him, even though it comes at a price. The only way to fulfil this need is to move to the U.S. permanently, leaving behind his beloved wife, daughter and grandson. In this foreign land, he struggles to find his place—not only in a society that sees him as an outsider but also within an American family that never knew of his existence. Cultural barriers collide as the past catches up with the present in the least expected ways. 'Coexistence, My Ass!,' Amber Fares, U.S.-France (international premiere)'Coexistence My Ass!' follows Israeli activist-comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi as she builds a comedy show by the same name. Shot over five tumultuous years, the film traces Noam's journey in tandem with the region's steady deterioration. Raised in a bilingual Israeli-Palestinian village — the only intentionally integrated community in the country — Noam grows disillusioned with traditional peace activism. She pivots to stand-up and quickly attracts attention across the Middle East. But as her star rises, everything around her falls apart. With biting, warm satire, Noam pushes her audiences to face difficult truths — and offers an inspiring model for the future. 'Free Leonard Peltier,' Jesse Short Bull and David France, U.S. (international premiere)Directed by Jesse Short Bull ('Lakota Nation vs. the United States') and David France ('How to Survive a Plague,' 'The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,' and 'Welcome to Chechnya'), and produced by Bird Runningwater. Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction. A new generation of Native American activists is committed to winning his freedom before he dies. 'GEN_,' Gianluca Matarrese, France-Italy-Switzerland (European premiere)At Milan's Niguarda Public Hospital, Dr. Maurizio Bini leads an inspiring and unconventional mission to transform lives through fertility and gender affirmation care. Balancing the dreams of aspiring parents with the journeys of individuals reconciling their gender identities, he creates a compassionate and empowering space where humor often lightens even the heaviest moments. In a politically charged environment that tests medical ethics, Dr. Bini defies societal constraints to offer hope, humanity, and healing, making a profound difference with both expertise and heart. 'Kick-Off,' Roser Corella and Stefano Obino, Germany (world premiere)In a small village in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where conservative traditions confine women to domestic duties, Gazi challenges the status quo by organizing a women's soccer tournament. As she strives to empower the women and break social taboos, Gazi must navigate through cultural resistance, unveiling a story of resilience, and social change in this unique setting. 'Supernatural,' Bonaventura Durall, Spain-Belgium-France (world premiere)Mathu, a medical doctor, grew into the complete opposite of his father, Malby, a spiritual healer. When Anna, who believes Malby cured her anorexia, invites Mathu to meet him, Mathu confronts his strained relationship with his father and the divide between their beliefs: science versus magic. In 'Supernatural,' two opposing worldviews explore coexistence; sometimes conflicting, sometimes seeking common ground. 'Under the Flags, the Sun,' Juanjo Pereira, Paraguay-Argentina-U.S.-France-Germany (international premiere)In 1989, the fall of Alfredo Stroessner's 35-year dictatorship in Paraguay marked the end of one of the world's longest authoritarian regimes, but also the abandonment of the audiovisual archives that had cemented its power. This footage, crafted to shape a national identity and celebrate the regime, was left to fade from memory. Decades later, a trove of unseen and long forgotten footage has been recovered from Paraguay and abroad, revealing the hidden mechanisms of power behind Stroessner's rule. 'Under the Flags, the Sun' is a visual experience through the history of the media, an archeology of the present in a country where the descendants of the regime's leaders still rule. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
