Conference On Diplomacy Skills Going On
By Laila Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - The task of diplomacy belongs not only to governments but to individuals as well. Each of you today is - even if only in simulation - an ambassador representing a nation rich in history and steeped in its own distinct and vital culture.

This was stated by Awang Mohd Hamid bin Mohd Jaafar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, who was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Borneo Global Issues Conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

The conference, which started yesterday, will run until February 18, and is hosted by International School Brunei (ISB) and sponsored by BLNG Sdn Bhd and Islamic Development Bank of Brunei Berhad.

Over 140 young men and women will debate and produce resolutions on four issues namely ECOSOC (Economic and Social), Political, Health and Environment.

The objective of the conference is to encourage international cooperation, understanding, and world citizenship among young adults.

Participating in the conference are students from Bangkok Patana School (Thailand), Sekolah Swata Seri Insan (Malaysia), Jerudong International School, Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, Maktab Sultan Omar Ali Saiffuddien, Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sul an, St. Andrew's School and Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri.

The ECOSOC committee focuses on economic issues and their social implications.

This year's ECOSOC task is to develop strategies to reverse the "brain drain" from developing countries losing highly skilled citizens to jobs in more affluent developed countries.

The Political committee this year focuses on the question of `The establishment of permanent peace and security in Kashmir'.

The Health committee focuses on problems of world health. This year's topic is on Government and/or UN response to potentially, highly lethal pandemics such as SARS and avian flu.

The Environment committee focuses on environmental issues. This year's topic is about the preservation of natural areas, rare eco-systems and wildlife habitats while considering the economic and social needs of encroaching human development.

The guest of honour added that the global issues - conference is one important example of how to prepare our young citizens for the onerous responsibilities that lie ahead and imbibe in them a respect for all peoples and all cultures founded on friendly relations and based on mutual respect.

"Your assembly here today proves that young people do care about our world and are ready to work towards making it a better place. Your presence here today shows that you re not apathetic, that you do want to know more about global issues and above all that, you seek to be heard," he said.

He added: "What makes this conference relevant is that it engages you in a simulation to attempt to solve and address global problems and concerns.

"Brunei is committed to global cooperation founded on friendly relations and based on mutual respect. Brunei has and does work cooperatively with both its neighbours in Southeast Asia and around the world towards addressing and attempting to solve global and regional problems as well as in building international ties of collaboration."

He concluded that the biggest challenge that they will face here is not what to do at this conference but how they can use this experience after the conference.

Mr David G. Taylor, Director of ISB also made a welcoming address at the venue.

There were also students' performances such as the Orchestra, Chinese Dance and Pirates of Penzane during the ceremony.

The ceremony ended with the presentation of mementoes to the guest of honour and sponsors from BLNG Sdn Bhd and IDBB. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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