King, Queen grace launch of OB-PS Malaysia Conference 2023

BENTONG: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today graced the opening ceremony of Olave Baden-Powell Society (OB-PS) Malaysia Conference 2023, here.

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 and the organising chairman of the conference, as well as the patron of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (GGAM).

In her 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, is contributing 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," Her Majesty said.

Meanwhile, Tengku Hassanal in his keynote address said education brought to an individual the self-confidence, intellect and the ability to understand the need to be a better person.

Hence, an educated woman, he said would possess qualities that progress and evolve for the betterment of a nation.

"After all, when you educate a woman, you educate a nation," said Tengku Hassanal.

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, which is 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 as well as empower them to become future leaders of the world.

With the theme "Changemakers - Young Women", the conference which began yesterday until Oct 16 held across two venues namely Resorts World Genting, Genting Highlands (Oct 12 to 14) and Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (Oct 14 to 16).

The four-day conference gathered more than 360 participants from 17 countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, United States of America, Nigeria, Korea and Japan.

The Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is the patron of OB-PS, is also attending the conference today and will personally present over 140 awards which include the Princess Benedikte Award (PBA) as well as new OB-PS Members, Gold, Global and President Awards.

-- BERNAMA