Download the opening address here:

Speech at UN Rotary Day_2011

FOOD, WATER AND ENERGY

Please contact Ms Rovena at rovena.plique@yahoo.com to reserve your seat.

Attachment: UN-Rotary Day 2011_Invite (MDG Partnership Event)

By Parama Bal Mishra

The author explains that gender equality is even more necessary to build peace in this complex world environment.

Parama has graduated from the University of Liverpool, U.K with a BA (Hons) in Business Economics, and recently completed a MSSc. in Development Studies from the Uppsala University, Sweden. Her masters thesis was based on gender and corruption in India. Her interests are broadly in macroeconomic issues, governance and policy study. She has been
involved with community service, social work and professional writing since her school days and would love to continue the same in future. Her hobbies are to paint and read.

Peace Building has always been a necessity to harbour healthy economic and social progress in the world. Nowadays, this issue has become more popular as most nations recognise the need for crisis prevention and building proper governance structures or institutions to maintain peace (Morris,2000). And, obviously these structures and institutions need to be governed by the right people. But the question is whether these right people have to be of a certain gender? The conflicts between genders have always been interesting, with various works portraying either of the two as the better for a particular task. But, gender inequity is still a reality in most countries. My argument is not to support either of the genders, but to portray how a more equal representation of both of them can bring about a better outcome, especially in the context of peace building. But, since the issues concerning men in peace building are already addressed to a great extent by most institutions, I would focus more on showing why women should also be considered. Firstly, peace building requires planning and coordination to a large extent (Ibid). We cannot say that women are better managers than men or vice versa without substantial research. Rather we can say women and men have different ways of tackling a problem, and especially in such sensitive areas such as peace building its always better to consider more than one type of approach.

Strickland and Duvvury, 2003, emphasises that most of the time the approaches taken by the women are overlooked, as they may be of unconventional types. But, they are nonetheless important to be represented. It has been noticed that most women do not hold roles in decision making areas and leadership in the military. Since women are part of our society, ignoring them in pivotal positions can prevent recognising their issues and concerns in the right manner. Women issues such as war widows, women in ethnic or religious conflicts, sexual violence, conflicts in eradicating oppression and fighting for equality are better addressed by women themselves rather than men. Hence, these are important areas which cannot be overlooked and considered below other issues in peace building programmes (Strickland and Duvvury, 2003).

Peace building and development has close ties, and the civil society is a huge part of it. The role of civil society is more integral during post-conflict recovery. The pluralistic ideology of the civil society ensures that power is distributed rather than concentrated, which enables a more grass root oriented approach to peace building (Harpviken and Kjellman, 2004). Women are an integral part of civil society and hence leaving them out might not enable us to get the best out of this approach as well.

Women issues such as those discussed in the previous paragraph needs to be tackled in the grass root levels especially, hence female leaders would be able to address these issues with the civil society in a better fashion than their male counterparts. Organising the civil society into working for war widows, giving them the right moral and economic support required, creating a protective mesh against sexual violence and other strategies are better understood by women and hence would be better developed with the help of women leaders.

Some authors such as Lindgren et al. 2009 have also found that women represent the masses better than their male counterparts, and hence they should be present in important positions in the government. Integrating the opinion of the masses in areas such as peace keeping is essential for maintaining an order in society, hence appointing the people who can represent the masses more will definitely help in ensuring a better result. But, I would not say that means support women and overlook men. Ultimately both the genders are present in society and their equal presence is required in the decision making areas in order to have a better congruence between the ideas of the strategists and the masses for whom the strategies are made.

Inequality issues do not just stop at gender, but there are several other domains in which equality is yet to be achieved. Whether in race, class, age, religion, etc, there are inequalities galore which still need to be addressed at international levels. As women were and still are in many societies discriminated, their empathy level towards discrimination is more, and this reason might make them less discriminating towards people from subjugated backgrounds . But most importantly, as women and men do not always think alike, the possibility of social control over a type of people may be less. Such as, if women subjugate a person belonging to a group for certain prejudices that they relate to, that feeling might not be supported by their male counterparts. Hence, having equality in gender, and having a more or less equal share of women and men in every strata of a peace building institution can ensure universal equality to a large extent as well.

Therefore, the need for having both the genders together, addressing different areas requiring different ideologies and understanding is essential to give any peace building body a wholesome character. Unfortunately, in reality women are still under represented in the top rungs of such institutions, therefore identifying the importance of their presence may help bring about the much needed gender equality in such places.

References

1. Harpviken, Kristian Berg & Kjellman, Kjell Erling, 2004. ‘Beyond Blueprints: Civil Society and Peacebuilding’, Concept Paper commissioned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
2. Lindgren, Karl-Oskar; Inkinen, Magdalena and Widmalm, Sten, (2009), Who Knows Best what the People Want: Women or Men? : A Study of Political Representation in India, Comparative Political Studies, 42(1), 35 -55.
3. Morris, Catherine, 2000, ‘What is Peacebuilding? One Definition’, Peacemakers Trust Publications.
4. Strickland, Richard and Duvvury, Nata, 2003, ‘Gender Equity and Peace Building, From Rhetoric to Reality: Finding the Way’, Gender Equity and Peacebuilding Workshop, International Centre for Research on Women.

This conference will be held from 9am to 5pm. (See attached for program. Seminar fees is $70 for members and $90 for non-members. This includes lunch and 2 tea breaks.
Venue is RELC (next to Shangri-La hotel).

UN Seminar 23 July 2011 (PDF)

My name is Yap Kwong Weng and I am your newly elected Secretary-General.

The world is constantly evolving and so is our social landscape at a rate that is unprecedented. If there is anygood time to change for the better, now is the time to do so. However, we should not just to change for the sake of changing. We do so for a deeper purpose.

UNAS will steer our sails towards greater heights to one that is more relevant and dynamic. Over the past year, it increased its tempo and conducted several key activities. We conducted community service activities and also recently successfully launched “I am Talented” in February, a seminar that inspired “Normal Stream” students to over 10 secondary schools in Singapore.

For the very first time, the UNAS Youth Council had jointly conducted a forum on sustainable development and leadership with Curtin University, Sarawak. The Youth Council had also worked together with the Rotary Club of Victoria to organize other events to spur environmental awareness.

While the Youth Council was only set up last July, it has already accumulated a total of over 30 committed members, some of whom are young professionals who are ready to spring into action to conduct meaningful activities. I have learnt much from this group of young, talented and dedicated people, and will continue to do so.

Our website had also been revamped to become more contemporary. A new Facebook page has also been set up to promote better awareness of relevant issues and events. We have around 370 “Likes” now. Public responses have been encouraging too. I often receive several E-mails from people everyday asking me how they can volunteer their services. These actions represent a growing interest in our youth to participate in volunteer activities.

I believe that the key to the future is to embrace the work that we have done in the past. We should constantly innovate and challenge the status quo in order to improve and stay relevant.

I hope that UNAS will become a respected organization that is known for inspiring the human spirit.

As such, I identified 6 key immediate goals that will guide us to achieving our vision.

1. Reach out to our Members.
2. Engage and inspire our stakeholders.
3. Expand our presence regionally.
4. Be a leader in promoting UN universal causes in the region.
5. Develop capacity and innovation.
6. Deliver a plan and framework to guide our actions.

To begin, I have developed a Balanced Scorecard that outlines a guiding plan that we will anchor and align our work on.

I like to offer us a new perspective, especially to those who are with us today as well as new people who will join us tomorrow.

Because we are all volunteers, it is our passion and deep beliefs that drive us forward.

We will also respect people and uphold the dignity of others as we hold each other to that standard. We do so because our existence is based on this logic.

In my next message, I will tell you what has been done and what needs to be improved. And if you like to contribute to UNAS, please E-mail me at kwongweng@unas-sg.org.

Tell me how you can contribute and I will tell you how we can accomplish the mission.

Warmest regards,
Yap Kwong Weng
Secretary-General

Yap Kwong Weng is the Secretary-General of the United Nations Association of Singapore. He graduated Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manchester. In 2010, he represented UNAS to complete the 100km Taklamakan Desert Race in support of advocating the UN Millennium Development Goals. As a co-opted director before being elected as Secretary-General, he revamped the UNAS website and also founded the UNAS Youth Council that has now grown into a vibrant youth group. In 2011, Mr Yap was selected as a Top 25 Young Outstanding Singaporean by the Orchid Jayceettes of Singapore.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY UNAS SECRETARY-GENERAL YAP KWONG WENG AT THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP FORUM 2011 ON 12 MARCH 2011, CURTIN UNIVERSITY, SARAWAK MALAYSIA AT 0930HRS

Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication, Chairman of Curtin Sarawak’s management board, Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Curtin University Sarawak, Professor Ian Kerr,

Dean of Foundation & Continuing Studies, Dr Beena Giridharan

Students and Friends of Curtin University,

Good Morning.

1. It is my privilege to be speaking to you today on this very meaningful occasion. For the first time, the United Nations Association of Singapore is partnering Curtin University Sarawak in the beautiful city of Miri to hold our joint conference.

2. Our collaboration is a clear reflection of your commitment to enhance social capital, develop new ideas and friendship that could spur meaningful action.

3. Students, teachers, practitioners are gathered here today to discuss issues that address the most pressing environmental challenges, and how they can become better leaders to make a difference for society.

THREATS TO SUSTAINABILITY

4. Today, the issue of climate change threatens our livelihoods. This threat not only undermines global prosperity and the productivity of the international economy, it brings about the loss of natural resources and human lives.

5. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has expressed concern that climate change “poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world”.

6. Many scientists have also predicted that the entire North Polar ice cap may be completely gone within the next few years. Sea levels are rising; storms are getting stronger, and people continue to be endangered by unprecedented natural disasters. Yesterday, Japan faced its largest earthquake. Hundreds have died and thousands of homes destroyed. We offer our deepest condolences to our Japanese friends.

7. To tackle such threats, concrete action must be taken. The city of Miri has taken the first step to address this problem. Last year, they launched the ‘Say No To Plastic’ campaign.

8. We heard that the campaign not only received good responses from the people in Miri, and that it has become a model example for other countries to follow.

ENHANCING SOCIAL CAPITAL

9. To build a new era of sustainability, we need businesses, institutions, new technology, systems and cultures that can address the dangers of climate change.

10. 2011 is the beginning of the UN International Year of the Forests. It is also the perfect time to collaborate with schools, businesses and NGOs to build social capital.

11. Social capital is about building networks and forming a nucleus of togetherness to develop synergy. Social networks have a positive and sustained effect on health, education and the
environment. It brings about collective action and uplifts identities through the transmission of ideas and information among groups in civil society. By bridging and bonding groups, people can work together to build capacity and deliver solutions.

12. Few days ago, I had a short conversation with Harvard Professor Robert Putnam. He is an expert on social capital, and said that the association of freedom and the value of reciprocity are elements that drive society.

13. I felt that this was especially relevant. Today, it is the use of information that creates competitive advantage, not just the transfer of information. And it is this synergy that forms the nucleus of social capital.

14. So how can we create social capital? Is it by singing songs together? Is it by sharing stories? The key point is to participate and collaborate because everyone benefits in some way. The good thing is that even if you don’t participate, you still benefit from the exchange process of reciprocity. You help one. Someone else helps you in return. Therefore, this ripple effect of promoting the spirit of volunteerism, friendship and togetherness forms the impetus of our actions.

GLOBAL IMPACT THROUGH LOCAL ACTION

15. As we help ourselves, we should reach out to help others. This light will open doors of opportunity that could empower people to shape our environments through local empowerment in local communities.

16. Local empowerment is the process whereby people are given better livelihoods, so they can use their local knowledge and experience to benefit greater society. Such an approach creates new social capital as they maintain their basic needs through local leadership, community involvement and green technology.

17. For example, the Kuni tribe in Papua New Guinea empowers tribal leadership to maintain local livelihood security. Villagers were also granted land rights. They use these rights to manage the forest collectively. With strong leadership, community involvement and simple technology, they started a village program of recycling and re-greening. Community meetings were held, classes were organized and songs were inculcated into their cultures.

18. So this reminds us that walls can be broken down. Networks can be formed. Cooperation between communities can be achieved. Having said that, true partnership and progress require us to share burdens of development and diplomacy. And with the values of trust, sincerity and tolerance, this can be achieved.

19. In conclusion, I believe that we cannot solve all the challenges of our time unless people can work together in peaceful ways.

20. Let us increase our unity of effort so that we can move closer towards sustainable development to help climate change efforts, to participate and to reciprocate. I look forward to talking to you, and working with you in big and small ways.

21. On this note, I wish all of you a rewarding day ahead. Thank you.

The inaugural Sustainable Development and Leadership Forum 2011 Conference is a seminar that seeks to engage active youths from different education backgrounds to think and contribute on issues of global importance. With the conference theme “Let’s Act”, the speakers’ diverse perspectives would inspire participants to look to themselves to do something for the community.

Through this event – jointly organised by the Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia and the United Nations Association of Singapore (UNAS) – participants will hear from experts and academics about environmental sustainability and the value of community service; and have the opportunity to hone communication and leadership skills to tangibly put their ideas into action.

Connect with us for the event through the following channels.

1. Curious? Find out more about the conference. Having heard and so much about the basics of the seminar, click here to explore the assortment of issues and topics that would be discussed and expounded by our guests. At the same time, read more about the backgrounds and experiences of our esteemed speakers, and think about how you could gain tremendously from the conference. An overview of the day’s programmes is also available here.

2. Social media savvy? Connect with us on FaceBook. Click here to read and understand what our conference participants will be going through on March 12, 2011. It is also the perfect platform for participants to network and communicate with one another before, during and after the conference.

3. Interested already? Join us! The registration form is available here. The entire registration process has been made convenient and straightforward; so simply download the document, fill it up, and follow the corresponding instructions. We promise an unforgettable experience.

4. Any questions? Feel free to direct any questions in the comments box below this post, or drop us an email at lets.act.2011@gmail.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible!

Students,

Teachers,

Members of UNAS and Civil Society,

Good Morning.

Thank you for making the time to come today. Your attendance is a clear reflection of your commitment to society, and your interest to learn and do better.

This year is an exciting year for the United Nations Association of Singapore, otherwise known as UNAS. Founded in 1969, UNAS has been dedicated to building awareness and support for the United Nations.

We have been involved in programs such as the Young Diplomat Scheme, community activities, outreach programs and humanitarian missions.

Come next month, we will be conducting our inaugural series of activities named PROJECT INSPIRE. PROJECT INSPIRE is an outreach program that seeks to reach out and inspire youths locally and overseas. In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Victoria, we will be travelling to Sarawak to hold a series of seminars and provide assistance to displaced indigenous groups in the jungles of Borneo.

As UNAS is committed to the preservation of peace and human dignity, we believe that the youth is our key to our future.

This year is the United Nations International Year of the Youth. It is also a time where economic growth, development and change are happening around the world.

Most of you are still studying, and some, still deciding on what to do in the future, or perhaps, struggling to figure out which career path makes sense to you in this economy.

Many of you have been influenced to pursue the 5 Cs – to get that Condominium, Car, Credit Card, and so on – or subconsciously, you know, in a practical sense, that these Cs are important factors which allow you to get ahead of the curve.

In some cases, we may also need the “As”, the “ECAs” and additional credit to increase our credibility to our future employers. Of course, that’s all good, but without a fulfilling purpose, that is just an illusion of:

Appearance over Substance,
Containment over Character,
Short-term gain over Sustained Achievement.

You can take that road – and it may work for some of you. But today, l want to highlight one key problem with this old approach – it distracts you from what is truly important, and may lead you to compromise your values, principles and commitments.

Think about it. If chasing the money, the next best car or condominium, and just making that promotion grade is all we want to do – our society, our community; our future generation is in big trouble.

But then again, if we do not work hard to get that promotion, to earn the bread and butter, and to work hard in our jobs or studies, we will be quite redundant in this competitive society. So we are often put on thin lines to perform and deliver.

I often tell myself is life is never fair; but one thing is certain – I control what I do, and I will make best use of what I have – to learn from all areas, and better myself while giving back to society.

This is a cycle that I wish to share today, that is the fundamental ideal of learning to do good.

If the rewards come, I will tap myself on the back and move on. If it doesn’t, I know that I am a better individual, ready to take up future challenges and opportunities.

And putting in the long hours and late nights do not equate to self-fulfillment. In other words, you cannot achieve what you really want – without a sense of humanity and inspiration. Therefore, we cannot be lulled into complacency by our own self-made projection of success.

So ladies and gentlemen, it is now clear that we need to start doing things a little differently.

In your own lives, you’ll need to continuously adapt; to have more than one goal or career ambition over the course of your life; to keep gaining new skills, taking new risks as new opportunities arise, and contributing back to the needy as and when you can, with sincerity and a true willingness to make a difference.

And as a community, we’ll need a fundamental change of perspective, belief and attitude. We need to build a stronger base to care for our sick, treat our environment, and create more hope for those in need such as the deaf community or under-privileged children with broken families.

And let me be clear, when I say “hope,” I’m not just referring to superficially saying “Hello and Bye”. I’m talking about an approach to life – a quality of mind and heart – to care, to inspire and to make a true difference to their lives.

That’s the spirit that many Singaporeans have shown. Our spirit of volunteerism. Our deep sense of solidarity.

That’s what led Ms Fadhilla, a full-time journalist to volunteer her time to help indigenous displaced people in Sarawak, and that’s what led Mr Eric Feng, who volunteered his time to conduct lessons for the youth to inspire and impact lives.

That’s also what led Mr Tan Hock Meng and Mr David Hoe, who are aspiring undergraduates to help others succeed after overcoming several tribulations in their lives.

Now that is, the great Singaporean story: young people just like you, following your passions, following your heart. I know you are not doing it for the money. If not, you wouldn’t be sitting here today. I can see from your faces.

You came here for a purpose – to know more about what you can do, and what others have done. You are not those “yes-men”, nor are you followers. All of you can be leaders, in very own way – if you want to.

The people I spoke about just now, each of them, at one point in their life, didn’t have much to speak of. But today, they have new profound interests, accompanied with meaningful experiences.

Earlier on, I talked earlier about the misperception of success. I talked about a re-focus on our beliefs and values.

I also spoke about hope, true commitment and acts of sacrifice– those that create ripple effects – the ones that lift up people; that spread opportunity and hope; that reach children and people in forgotten corners, who, in committed young people like you, see the true culture of Singaporeans.

Someone once told me that over-expectations may lead to heavier disappointments. This is very true. But never give up. You cannot fail if you don’t give up.

What we look forward today is achievable. We want to do things that are meaningful, real and true to the heart. I urge all of you to take the first step. Start today and start making a difference.

Thank you.