Global Women’s Peace Network Malaysia with the cooperation of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development organised the 6th Peace Loving Convention at Syeun Hotel, Ipoh recently. Running on the theme, ‘Family Nurturing Culture of Peace’, the hall was filled to the brim as early as 8am with over 400 eager university students and guests, some hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Sarawak.
The exciting morning started off with a presentation by Sudesh Balasubramaniam, the Deputy President of Universal Peace Federation Malaysia titled, ‘Five Life Goals’.
“According to a study done by Harvard Business School, it says that most of us don’t have goals but those who do, achieve more. And when the goals are written down, they have greater success at achieving what has been written down,” he posited.
In her welcoming speech, Senator Datuk Doris S. Brodie, the President of Global Women’s Peace Network Malaysia, was delighted to see such a big crowd present. The event proceeded with the congratulatory remarks from Dr Yoo Chong Young, the International Senior Advisor of GWPN and Kula Segaran, MP for Ipoh Barat respectively. The former ended his inspiring speech with a spirited “Ipoh Women Boleh” while the latter enlightened the audience on how getting rid of ego would encourage peace.
The convention was officiated by Dato’ Yean Yoke Heng, representative of the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz with a gong-hitting ceremony.
The next speaker was Assoc Prof Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj, the co-founder of Mothers of Malaysians Initiativ who gave a precious take-home message of how “As human beings, we might not be able to avoid negative feelings and emotions towards someone, something or some situation, but as a civilised community, we must never translate those emotions into negative behaviours and conduct”.
Meanwhile, Dato’ Dr Amar Singh, the Head of the Pediatric Department of Hospital RPB Ipoh, stressed on the importance of offering children supportive environments that gives them opportunities to grow yet allowing them to be who they want to be, hopefully with God in their hearts.
Dr Robert Kittel, Director of Education of Universal Peace Federation Asia spoke on the topic ‘Principles of Peace’. “Without sacrifice, love is not love,” he stressed.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Puan Halida Mohd Ali, President of Perak Women for Women Society. Her mind-broadening speech was a wake-up call on the importance of breaking the chain of violence against women.
The event drew to a close with a heart-warming singing performance by Dr and Mrs Yoo Chong Young.
Mei Kuan
