PEIGIE  LEE

To commemorate and celebrate United Nation’s 70 years of service around the world, Taylor’s is hosting UN Day @ Taylor’s University under Learning Package 4 : Global Engagement of the SHINE Award Programme.Centred on the theme of “Malaysia in a Global Community”, the programme focused on the issues that particularly concern the Malaysia society but are also global issues of great significance to anyone who is a global citizen.

The objective of the event is to provide a healthy platform to dialogue about these issues in order to raise awareness and to spur the youth of today to play a more active role in contributing, beginning with the immediate needs of our own nation.

 

On that day, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to listen some opinions from Mr. Stevens Chan Kum Fai ( Founder of Malaysia Glaucoma Society, Save Ones Sight Missions Bhd., and Dialogue in the Dark ), YBhg Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir ( Member of the board for Sister in Islam, Named “UN Person of the Year”2010 ) and YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz ( Founding President of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) ).

 

What I have learnt from Distinguished Speaker Series is that we have to be true to ourselves. For example, when making decision to whether agree with convention of UN, Malaysia has to be honest with ourselves, be sure that our country’s principles do not contradict with what we have agreed. Also, don’t wait for country to do something for you, think what you can do for your country. If you are passion about something, no matter you passion or hobby is on environment, arts, sports or etc, just do it. You do not need to have political status to contribute to your country. Social media is the ideal tool if we want to venture into international market without being with politic arena.

When talking about the pressing issues faced by Malaysian currently, lack of confidence in public institution is being raised up, despite the sugar-coated lies told that they are working for citizens’ good. Sad but true, we all know that we cannot reply on police or parliament nowadays, if they become dominant and interfered by other entity, it will be dangerous.

 

Then during Global Perspective Seminar, I have realized that when we are thrilled by one’s success, don’t forget to see the hardships they have came across. On the other hand, when discussing about human rights, both speakers agreed that there is negative perceptions about funding issue. Instead of paying RM300 for people in poverty, opportunities and education should be provided for different ability. For example, what can people get from blind leading the blind? There should be teacher to learn and teach the blind.

 

In regards of Women’s Rights, there is an unconscious bias causing a lot of public listed companies to hire men. Why should we accept less when we have equal population? Also, there is a fine line between feminism and gender equality. It is not about taking rights away from men, but for women that lose their rights. The country has spent a lot for women in education, but eventually they are not given opportunity in workforce. We should not use differences to deny people.