Y.Bhg. Dato’ ,
Y.Bhg. Dato’ ,
Distinguished guests,
Participants of the Workshop on Developing International Young Leaders,and Ladies and Gentlemen.
I wish to extend a very warm welcome to all participants of this international workshop at the International Youth Centre Kuala Lumpur. It is my pleasure to be invited by the International Youth Centre to officiate the second series of the international workshop 2007, focusing on Developing Young International Leaders.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Issues on youth are no longer confined to the respective countries as we are now in the era of globalization. The United Nations have recognized this fact when they outline 10 priority areas in their World Programme of Action in the year 2000 and beyond. The programme includes education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities, girls and young women, youth participation in decision-making, globalization, information and communication technology, HIV/AIDS, youth and armed conflict, and intergenerational relations. These youth issues should be addressed by the member countries of the UN not only locally within their own borders, but also internationally. The youth problems in one part of the world has an influence on the others. They are all inter-related and interconnected.
Leadership is the vehicle that youth leaders should play to help alleviate the ills of the world, not merely of the youth themselves since the youths are the global citizens of the future. If they are not able to look after themselves now, how are they going to do it in the future and that of their offspring and future generation?
However, leadership is an evolving skill and art. There is no single universal practice on leadership. The young leaders today should be equipped with the fundamental skills of being adaptable and flexible. Effective leadership at the global level and in international forums requires certain outstanding skills and art. The leadership formula that is applied locally may not be applicable when leading internationally. The leaders need to acquire certain characteristics and qualities to be able to succeed as a global leader. Leadership at the global level involve building relationships, creating strategy and executing plans across borders, cultures, and vast distances where sensitivities on diversities and differences in cultures, values, ways of thinking have to be negotiated. The global framework is very much different from the local framework.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Situations in the various countries differ from one another. Each government is independent and autonomous from the other. Leaders of one country do not like to be dictated by others, yet what happens in their country has an effect on others. So how can a leader from one country help the other to solve the problems in their own country? Take the examples of the Palestinian, Iraqi and Myanmar. All that the world leaders can do are rhetorics. So much have been said but we have yet to solve these problems. So what can you as future leaders do?
Leaders are not really leaders per se. They play a variety of roles. They have to wear many hats depending on the prevailing situation. One moment, they lead; the next, they manage. Another time, they coordinate; and another moment, they are change catalysts and so on and so forth. So one of the challenges of leadership is how to be a chameleon. At the international level, special skills are required. You must know what role you have to play in each forum you are involved in.
The diversities in the international arena demands exceptional knowledge and competencies to deal with the various differences and sensitivities. A simple or seemingly insignificant mistake such as a wrong statement can result in serious conflicts or crises. At the local level, such situations may require a simple solution. But it may not be so at the international level. A mountain can be created out of a molehill. In a serious conflict, lives can even be lost, and economies ruined.
As future leaders, it is not only personal leadership skills that you require, but also team leadership and strategic leadership. You need to work with others and with strategic approaches in order to succeed and be effective. You cannot hone these skills overnight. And certainly not within the one week you are here for this workshop. You need years of experience in the learning process.
I am made to understand that this workshop is not meant to help you develop your international leadership skills, but instead to explore the skills necessary for you to develop as international leaders in the future. Learning the skills also involve knowing the various practices that various world leaders have applied.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Leadership at the international level is a constant learning experience. You need a sharp and critical mind to learn. Constant observation, reflection, studies and research are applications that you need in order to hone in your leadership skills and competencies. Most important of all is your ability to learn from each mistake and move on from there. Those who are unable to learn, but instead kept repeating the same mistakes have no place in being global leaders.
Through this workshop, I hope that you will be able to share your experiences and learn from each other. It is not possible for you to learn everything about international leadership. Moreover, each one has his or her own style, personality, and values. So you have to develop your own leadership style and values. Ultimately, what is right or wrong is neither your personality nor your style, but what makes you a successful and effective leader. You must be able to lead and succeed in a mission that has been entrusted to you, so long as you do not commit any crime or use any illegal means and put others at risk.
As youth leaders, you are the future human capital of your respective country. You have an important mission in not just being a leader yourself, but in addition, the developers of future leaders. This is your responsibility and role.
Last but not least, I hope the workshop will be fruitful to you and that you will be able to learn much from it. While doing so, don’t forget to learn and discover a bit of our country Malaysia. We are celebrating our 50th year of independence this year and many events have been lined up for visitors to Malaysia.
With this, I launch the Workshop on Developing International Young Leaders.
Thank you.
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