Majlis Amanat Menteri Perpaduan 2025: YSS Recalibrates for Sustainable Nation-Building

The Malaysian Ministry of National Unity’s successful implementation of 730 programmes, including 300 high-impact initiatives, underscores the vital role of concerted efforts in empowering national unity. The Honourable Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Minister of National Unity, delivered his aspirations during the Majlis Amanat Menteri Perpaduan Negara 2025 held at Damar Sari Hall, Parcel F, Putrajaya, calling for a better unified and strengthened community network through collective empowerment of four paradigms: the Unity Ecosystem, MADANI Harmony initiatives, Rukun Negara Exploration, and Socio-cultural Community.

This resonates greatly with the vision and mission of Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS), an organisation dedicated to empowering youth leadership and social impact through volunteerism under the auspices of the Ministry of National Unity. The transferral of YSS’s functions to the Ministry of National Unity in 2022 marked a new transformation in its development of youth-led empowerment programmes redirected at communities at large, with the element of “unity” added as a new twist in its endeavours.

During the keynote address, the Minister also introduced this year’s theme, “Harmony in Diversity”, emphasising the shared responsibility that transcends ideological differences. YSS, through its committed changemakers, lauded this notion and held it dearest as a guiding principle for the days ahead.

How Does YSS Recalibrate Its Aspirations to Align with the National Unity Agenda?

Since its inception, YSS has developed strong networks with various higher education institutions throughout Malaysia. These bonds between YSS and the Student and Career Development offices from universities have allowed YSS to harness one of the most underrated yet powerful catalysts in the nation-building aspiration: the youths.

Realising human capital development as the most potent strategy for a prosperous and resilient future, YSS recalibrated its student volunteers’ missions, special projects and talent development to align with the Ministry of National Unity’s targeted efforts in securing a better platform to invigorate social interactions and integration.

Lifelong Educational Support and Mentorship as a Unification Tool

YSS has secured collaborations with various strategic partners to elevate regional educational access for primary and secondary school students through its YSS Tuition Mission Series and Iqra TH Plus – KAMI Tuition initiatives. Entrepreneurial support, mentorship and training such as Program Usaha Jaya Insan (PUJI) and the Volunteer Leadership Development Programme (VLDP) are also among YSS’s specialised modules aimed at empowering talent development for youths and bridging socioeconomic disparities for suburban and rural communities.

High-Impact Missions to Foster Integration and Socioeconomic Development

Fulfilling the Unity Ecosystem paradigm, YSS carries out its flagship “Ini Warisan Kita” student volunteer missions to Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah and Kelantan, laced with cultural appreciation and value creation formed by youth involvement across various community projects. YSS also extended its reach internationally through delegations to Vietnam, Lao PDR and Indonesia to foster cross-border interconnectedness.

International Involvement to Empower Youth Volunteerism

YSS became a notable member of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (FORUM), and played a role during the hosting of the Annual Conference for International Volunteering Cooperation Organisations (IVCO) 2023 — a platform for the public, international delegates and NGOs to envision innovative volunteerism approaches and forge stronger alliances.

Embracing the aspirations outlined by the Minister of National Unity to kickstart 2025 with improved national integration endeavours, YSS remains committed to extending its “Volunteerism for Unity” dogma through the collective efforts of YSS and its strategic partners.