Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has encouraged the new generation within the National League for Democracy (NLD), to take more responsibility within the party as it pushes towards a general election next year.

Addressing NLD youth members in Rangoon on Saturday, Suu Kyi noted that party policy – established during the military era when organizing youth activities were limited – dictated that the age limit was 35 within the youth ranks. Despite this, she said, those middle-aged members among the group should strive to fulfill duties “befitting of their age”.

She pointed out that many young Burmese, including university graduates, currently face unemployment, and that there is a fear that such feelings of hopelessness could develop into “dangerous situations of instability”.

Around 150 people from across the country attended the meeting on 30 August, including members from the youth wing of the NLD who have been active since 1988.

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NLD chairman for Rangoon region, Myint Htay, one of the organisers of the summit, spoke about how the NLD youth had helped win the 2012 bi-elections.

“The first youth meeting was held in 2011 and those who campaigned for the NLD helped us win the 2012 bi-elections,” he said. “Now, we are facing bi-elections again this year and a general election in 2015. This conference was staged to encourage those who had previously worked with the NLD youth to work together with the current members to implement the goals of the party at the upcoming elections.”

NLD veteran Tin Oo, said that changes will be implemented before the end of the year.

“The previous generation must now hand over the reins to the current youth members,” he said.

In July, the NLD organised a nationwide youth conference in Rangoon where party chairperson Suu Kyi urged youth members to adhere to the party agenda.