{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 2035652,
        "msgid": "makassar-mayor-introduces-mch-as-an-economic-engine-for-young-people-1791892594",
        "date": "2026-10-13 18:16:13",
        "title": "Makassar Mayor Introduces MCH as an Economic Engine for Young People",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin presented the Makassar Creative Hub (MCH) at the 2026 United Nations Forum of Mayors in Geneva, describing it as a way to turn young people\u2019s creativity into businesses, jobs and broader economic growth. The city\u2019s flagship initiative aims to provide skills development, collaboration and business opportunities across creative sectors, with technology and AI helping participants boost productivity and reach new markets.",
        "content": "<p>Makassar (ANTARA) \u2013 Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin presented his\nvision for the future of the youth creative economy at the 2026 United\nNations Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Switzerland, introducing the Makassar\nCreative Hub (MCH) as an economic engine.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement received in Makassar on Tuesday, Munafri said MCH was\na flagship programme designed to turn the creativity, ideas and talents\nof young people into business opportunities, jobs and a new economic\nforce for the city.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn Makassar, Indonesia, we have seven action programmes. Makassar\nCreative Hub is one of our flagship programmes, aimed at strengthening\ncreativity and innovation while contributing to a more inclusive urban\neconomy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Munafri stressed in his presentation that making cities liveable and\nsustainable required practical action, including creating space for\nyoung people to develop their potential and generate new economic\nopportunities.<\/p>\n<p>The international forum was held at the United Nations in Geneva on\n12\u201313 October 2026. Of Indonesia\u2019s 514 regencies and cities, Makassar\nwas among those given the opportunity to participate, alongside more\nthan 60 mayors from around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Munafri said the idea for establishing MCH stemmed from the\nconsiderable potential of Makassar\u2019s young people. They have ideas,\ncreativity and talent, he said, but need a space that connects that\npotential with skills development, collaboration and business\nopportunities.<\/p>\n<p>MCH is intended not merely as a gathering place for creative\nprofessionals, but as an incubator, a collaborative ecosystem and an\neconomic driver for creators, digital entrepreneurs and local\ncraftspeople.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I initiated Makassar Creative Hub, I realised that young people\nin my city were full of ideas and potential talent. However, they needed\na platform to develop that talent and create work with high value,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>Munafri said the Makassar City Government was seeking through MCH to\nwiden access to the creative economy. The programme can support a range\nof fields, from fashion design and fiction writing to film, culinary\nbusinesses and performing arts.<\/p>\n<p>Munafri, who is also the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia,\nunderlined the importance of technology in creating new economic\nopportunities for young people. Artificial intelligence (AI), combined\nwith broader social media reach, could help creative-sector workers\nincrease productivity, expand their markets and create jobs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThrough Makassar Creative Hub, we can accelerate the creation of new\njobs for young people by using technology, artificial intelligence\nsystems and social media expansion,\u201d he said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/makassar-mayor-introduces-mch-as-an-economic-engine-for-young-people-1791892594",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}