Nurturing Aspirations | MENDAKI Club, or MClub, is a community of Malay/Muslim young professionals and students who are engaged in affairs concerning the community, Singapore and the world.
Mendaki Club was well-represented at the recent Asia 21 Young Leaders’ Summit, organised by the US-based Asia Society. Former President Ahmad Nizam Abbas, former Treasurer Iva Melati Aminuddin and current Exco Member Aaron Maniam were selected from a pool of 1000 nominees to attend the invitation-only Summit.
The Asia 21 Summit was first held in Seoul in 2006, and Singapore in 2007. It is an annual gathering of a multi-sectoral network of dynamic young leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and the US, brought together for the purpose of developing collaborative approaches to shared challenges, building networks of trust across geographic boundaries, and educating each other in the highest ideals of values-based leadership. Summit delegates came from a range of professional backgrounds, including the public and private sectors, the arts, NGOs / civil society and academia.
The 2008 Summit, held in Tokyo, ran from 14 to 16 November and focused on the theme “Challenges Beyond Borders, Solutions Beyond Cultures.” In addition to plenary sessions with Japanese leaders and sessions where the delegates shared their “Moments of Truthâ€, there were also breakout sessions where participants grappled with the multi-dimensional challenges facing Asia, including education, governance, and the use of the media in giving “voice†to communities.
In order to maximize the impact of the Summit, participants were also encouraged to form cross-national and cross-sectoral “public service groups†that could undertake specific projects with tangible deliverables over the next year. Ahmad will be involved in a group that aims to preserve local Asian cultures, while Iva and Aaron will be part of a team using short films, titled “Tales from Enchanged Landsâ€, to increase awareness of climate change and environmental degradation in fragile ecosystems.
Come and learn how to network and mingle with your peers, fellow event participants, or even guests at a formal function. Our workshop trainer, Ms Teo Ser Lee (crowned Ms Singapore beauty pageant), will teach you amongst others, how to make small talk and the ways to carry yourself around, so you can ‘connect’ to just about any person whom you meet – even in your day-to-day.
Sounds great? Then register your interest now, by one of the following ways:
SMS to 9663 0959 in the following format – [NAME][NRIC][SCHOOL]["NETWORKING"] or
E-MAIL to sarah@mendaki.org.sg with the following details – your NAME, NRIC, CONTACT NO., SCHOOL & “NETWORKING”
Hear this out: Because we would like participants to benefit as much as possible from the workshop, by having close contact with the trainer, this workshop is limited to 50 places only. Kindly RSVP your interest to us the soonest or by Monday 8 Dec to avoid missing out.
Truth be told, I had no idea what the CLF was before I joined the MClub ex-co. After being exposed to the process, it would be good if many more people are informed about this concerted effort to uplift the Malay/Muslim community by our leaders.
According to the MCYS website, the CLF’s objectives when it started is;
“a) Engender shared perspectives and understanding of how the future might unfold, the critical driving forces affecting it, and the implications for the Malay/Muslim community; and
b) Deliberate on the fundamental pillars that are critical to the progress of the Malay/Muslim community -employability, family and youth development and education – so as to enable the community to channel existing resources more effectively towards strategic areas and critical gaps.”
The latest progress on the CLF projects can be found here. This year the key challenges were spelt out by the Minister in the media release here.
I think more of us should and can be more involved. Personally, it gives me some degree of personal satisfaction in my involvement. Makes the rat race that lil bit more tolerable when we have this outlet. I’m pretty sure we don’t have to be pragmatic ALL of the time. Let the idealist in you come out and let change happen. Until next time… ~~~~~ Azhar
“All the views expressed above are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mendaki Club or any of its other members.”
“Welcome to the revamped MClub website! In this website, you will find updates of our activities as well as details of the various youth programmes that MClub organises. Do check regularly for updates.
As a largely volunteer run organisation, we are always on the lookout for new members and volunteers with an interest in participating or contributing to our mission. Our volunteers comprise young Malay/Muslim professionals across a broad range of fields and disciplines, and we invite you to be part of this growing network and community.”
Esa Han Hsien Masood (Mr)
President
Mendaki Club Executive Committee 07/09
