Genting Highlands was abuzz with excitement as the 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 2023 Conference. The event was also attended by the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and the wife of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Tunku Azizah, who is the Royal Benefactor and chairperson of the conference, as well as the patron of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (PPPM), expressed her gratitude for the support towards OB-PS. She highlighted that OB-PS is a fundraising arm of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Association (WAGGGS), and Malaysia’s contribution to the organization has been significant with the recruitment of many new members in the country.
The Queen Consort emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls to become future leaders who can stand on their own and make a difference in the world. She hoped that the conference would encourage investment, education, and resources to help girls contribute to a brighter and more equitable future for all.
OB-PS supports WAGGGS‘ mission by investing in the leadership of young women who will lead their families, communities, countries, and the world. The annual conference aims to gather members with a shared interest in providing financial support to WAGGGS and ensuring a stable income stream to fund its work, projects, programs, and services.
This year’s conference, the first to be held in Malaysia since 1998, celebrates and supports WAGGGS while discussing the growth and development of young women and empowering them to become future world leaders. With the theme ‚Changemakers – Young Women‘, the four-day conference is being held at two locations, Resorts World Genting and Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 360 participants from 17 countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Nigeria, Korea, and Japan.
Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is also a patron of OB-PS, graced the conference and presented over 140 awards including the Princess Benedikte Award (PBA) and OB-PS Members, Gold, Global, and President Award. The event promises to be a platform for networking, learning, and celebrating the achievements of young women who are making a positive impact on the world.
In conclusion, the OB-PS Malaysia 2023 Conference is a testament to the commitment towards empowering women and girls to become leaders of tomorrow. The event serves as a catalyst for change and progress, inspiring young women to strive for excellence and make a difference in their communities and beyond.