TN50 lab generates ideas for national development

KUALA LUMPUR: Representatives of various sectors spent the weekend at the first Transformation 2050 (TN50) Ideation Lab, devising various initiatives to achieve the aspirations put forward by Malay­sians.

Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general (human capital) Johan Mahmood Merican said the ideas were creative and “out of the box”.

“What’s very interesting is that usually, most ideas and suggestions require the Government to take the first step in funding and implemen­ting them.

“However, some of these ideas could be kickstarted and run by communities first with the Go­­vernment only stepping in to take them to the next level later.

“It’s a refreshing change of perspective and we hope to see more coming in the run-up to the TN50 policy document next year,” he told reporters after a presentation of the ideas at the lab here yesterday.

Johan, who is also head of the TN50 unit, said it had collected over 60,000 aspirations from 1.6 million Malaysians through rigorous en­­gagement sessions.

Youthful ideas: Participants of TN50 Ideation Lab listening to a moderator.

Under the second phase of TN50, the aspirations will be analysed and summarised before being collated in the TN50 document.

At the lab, groups were formed with 80 youths and a team of experts.

Known as “Circles of the Future”, these groups analysed and generated ideas on a variety of topics, including economy and jobs, governance, environment, health, lifestyle and community.

Johan said the ideas were very encouraging and that some could be good catalysts for national development.

“We want to see ideas that will allow for collaboration between the Government, civil society and the private sector for the betterment of all Malaysians in the future,” he said.