"I see that the world has no problems, it's us who have a problem," quipped world-renowned martial arts actor Jet Li, during a symposium with 120 youth representatives from the 21-member Pacific Rim organisation, better known as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) that is currently winding down after a week-long summit in the city state of Singapore.

"Before you want to embark on making changes, you must first need to understand your own self first, to get to know yourself first, before you can improve yourself and only then can you get anything done," replied Li when asked by one of the youth delegates what his main key to success is.

"You also have to start looking, analysing and assessing yourself from other people's perspective," Li added.

Held at the prestigious Singapore Management University, in the heart of the republic, he fielded a continuous stream of questions from the enthusiastic assemblage crowd of international youths from all four corners of the Pacific.

However, speaking in Mandarin, which was translated via an English translator, it was hardly surprising that the originally slated hour-long session spilled over an extra 60 minutes.

"What message would you give to inspire youths?" was the question posed by one of Brunei's Apec youth delegate, Hjh Siti Rafidzah to the martial arts actor immediately after the session ended.

In his fluid mother-tongue, the philanthropist responsible for the growing success of 'The One Foundation' - a non-profit charity organisation that supports international disaster relief efforts - replied: "If you treat philanthropy or public service as something that you do normally every day, such as breathing, then you could inculcate it as something that is part of your everyday life, and if you practice this, it could lead you to do something respectable."

Li repeatedly advised the youths that if they wanted to help bring about change, "You should focus on anything you want to improve upon - climate change, poverty, environment - but remember, that governments will be the legitimate agency that can only do it full-time, so if you want to help and improve matters, you would need to know as much as they do, maybe even more. But you should ask yourself too, why would anyone want to support your cause?"

More importantly, Li also underscored the importance of the principles of "ensuring transparency, professionalism and sustainability".

One of the more memorable questions was posed by a female Russian Apec youth delegate, who directed it to Li in flawless Mandarin about who he thought youths should concentrate on if they wanted to bring about change.

After a warm round of applause, initiated by the Hollywood Wushu star, at the Mandarin-delivered query, he replied: "Start small. Influence your family members first before you start influencing other people.

"But you would have to be brave. And you would have to believe. But remember that it is a two-way process, because others may know more than you so you should always be ready to change too. But in the end, it will all be worthwhile." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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