Young people came together in Bau, Sarawak, for a workshop to discuss preserving and sustaining their Bidayuh cultural heritage.
The Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop (YEPW) was organised by International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) Malaysia Branch in collaboration with Bau District Office, in conjunction with the opening of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre in Bau.
YEPW is an education programme designed to encourage young people to become responsible leaders through communication, cultural appreciation and community engagement.
The workshop incorporated the Bidayuh language, traditional values and heritage preservation, allowing the participants to discover how local identity can become a foundation for peace, unity and social responsibility.
Through discussions and group activities, they reflected on the importance of preserving their language and traditions while exploring creative ideas to pass on their heritage to future generations.
Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi said the Bidayuh Cultural Centre was not just a cultural landmark but a place for young people to learn, appreciate their heritage and contribute to Bau’s future.
“We welcome programmes like YEPW that encourage youths to stay connected to their identity while developing a sense of responsibility towards their community,” he added.
Beyond the workshop, visitors participated in a “Light Up Malaysia” interactive survey, placing some 130 light-bulb stickers on a board to vote for one of the workshop’s three key themes of heritage, culture or language.
Heritage received the highest number of votes, indicating the community’s strong appreciation for preserving their identity for future generations.
