Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam today called on youths around the world to use the new media to foster global peace instead of promoting negative views.

He said the majority of youths of today were inclined towards negative views, as was evident from opinions published in the social websites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as blogs.

"If such negative views can be transformed into positive ones, they will help to shape a young generation with the power to strive for and foster global peace," he told reporters after opening the 15th general assembly of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) in Ayer Keroh.

Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam, who is WAY president, was present at the event. The secretariat of WAY, which has 104 countries as members, is located here.

Dr Subramaniam said youths throughout the world communicated actively among themselves on social websites and expressed their views and opinions there.

"I believe they have the power to champion their rights and convey the message of peace to the whole world," he said.

Dr Subramaniam, who sits on the cabinet committee on youth development, said the framework for youth development today should be evaluated with the aspirations and needs of youths for efficacy.

"This is being done by the government and we will initiate youth development programmes along the thinking of youths of today," he said.

He did not rule out the possibility of some youth development programmes failing to attain the desired objectives and efficacy due to differences in opinion between youths and leaders.

- Bernama