𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Building Bridges for Peace: Asia Talk Series, held on December 8, 2024, marked another milestone in promoting dialogue and collaboration on peacebuilding. Organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Malaysia and supported by Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Malaysia, the event gathered 90 participants comprising of distinguished speakers, community and business leaders, youths and peacebuilders at Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort in Kuala Lumpur to explore innovative solutions for empowering communities through sustainable development, gender equality, and youth engagement.

The event commenced with a networking session and warm greetings from the emcee, followed by the national anthem. Mr. Anil Pillay, Organizing Co-chair of the Asia Talk Series, delivered the welcoming remarks, emphasizing the critical role of partnerships in addressing pressing global challenges. He also shared insights from his ongoing work documenting the efforts of UPF Malaysia in a book and acknowledged UPF’s Ambassadors for Peace for their tireless work in promoting family values, harmony, and support for the underprivileged.

Assistant Professor Sudesh G. Balasubramaniam, President of UPF Malaysia, then took the stage with an inspiring speech, underscoring the importance of collaboration in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He reminded the audience of their shared responsibility in fostering peace.

The highlight of the day was a thought-provoking panel session themed “Building Bridges for Peace: Empowering Communities through Sustainable Development, Gender Equality, and Youth Engagement.” Moderated by the skillful and knowledgeable Bernama TV Host Ms. Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, the session featured three esteemed speakers:

• YB Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien, Member of Parliament for Julau, shared valuable insights on “Empowering Communities: Fostering Resilient Societies through Local Engagement and Sustainable Development.” He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to enhance agricultural practices and support the empowerment of local handicrafts in rural Sarawak.

• Dato’ Bindi Rajasegaran, Past District Governor of Rotary International District 3300, referenced data from the Global Peace Index, highlighting significant declines in peacefulness across most countries in 2024. She underscored the pivotal role of young leaders in peacebuilding in her presentation on “Empowering Youth as Catalysts for Peace: The Transformative Impact of Youth Leadership.”

• Ms. Khadijatul Azada (KD), Founding President of Women Holistic Leadership (WHOLE) Malaysia, delivered a presentation on “Empowering Women in the Economy: The Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development.” She highlighted the crucial role of women in economic development and demonstrated the link between economic empowerment and societal resilience.

The panel discussion concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, providing the audience an opportunity to engage with the panelists on practical strategies for sustainable peacebuilding. The event also featured an energetic performance brought about by a group of young volunteers. In addition, Ms. Goh Ping In, Secretary of Ajar-Ajar Malaysia, introduced the NGO’s impactful work. A mock cheque presentation to the charity beneficiary emphasized the event’s commitment to supporting grassroots initiatives.

Tokens of appreciation were presented to the panelists, moderator, and donors, recognizing their valuable contributions to the event’s success. The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Lai Peng Keong, Secretary General of UPF Malaysia, who reiterated UPF’s dedication to fostering peace through dialogue and action. The audience then enjoyed a tea and networking session, further strengthening bonds among participants.