GENTING HIGHLANDS, Oct 13 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the opening ceremony of the Olave Baden-Powell Society (OB-PS) Malaysia Conference 2023 today.
Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was in attendance.
Also present was the Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Tunku Azizah is the Royal Benefactor, the organising chairman of the conference, and the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (GGAM) patron.
In the royal address, Her Majesty said OB-PS is a fundraising arm of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), where Malaysia, too, contributes to the organisation following the recruitment of many new members in the country.
“Whatever is donated to us (OB-PS) goes back to the world to train young women and girls to be able to voice out, stand on their own, (and) to be the future leaders of the future generations.
“I hope this conference encourages investment, education, and resources to help girls contribute to a brighter and more equitable future for everyone,” said the Queen.
Meanwhile, in the keynote address, Tengku Hassanal said education brings self-confidence and intellect to an individual and the ability to understand the need to be a better person.
Hence, an educated woman would possess qualities which progress and evolve for the betterment of a nation.
“After all, when you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” said His Highness.
The OB-PS supports the Mission of the WAGGGS by investing in the future leadership of young women who will lead their families, communities, countries, and the world.
OB-PS conference is held annually to gather its members with common interests to provide financial support to WAGGGS and ensure a steady stream of income which funds its work, projects, programmes, and services.
This year’s conference, held for the first time in Malaysia since 1998, aims to celebrate and support the WAGGGS and discuss the growth and development of young women and empower them to become future leaders of the world.
With the theme Changemakers - Young Women, the conference, which began yesterday and runs until October 16, is held across two venues, namely at the Resorts World Genting here (October 12 to October 14) and at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (October 14 to October 16).
The four-day conference gathered over 360 participants from 17 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States , Nigeria, South Korea, and Japan.
The Princess Benedikte of Denmark, the patron of OB-PS, is also attending the conference today and will personally present over 140 awards, including the Princess Benedikte Award (PBA) and new OB-PS Members, Gold, Global, and President Awards.
— Bernama
