Fadley Faisal
The 19th International School Brunei Borneo Global Issues Conference (ISB BGIC) themed ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’ aptly addresses the current global issues and is relevant as well as beneficial to the younger generation.
This was said by Attorney General and Chairman of ISB Board of Directors Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa who officiated the conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday.
The event began with a welcoming address by Executive Principal and CEO of ISB Dr Stephen Kendall-Jones.
In his address, Dr Kendall-Jones thanked the conference partner – the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports – for their “continuous and generous support in nurturing our committed, motivated and talented youth leaders of tomorrow”.
This was followed by a students’ address by ISB BGIC Secretaries-General Pengiran Seti Amanina Wafiqah binti Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah and Alfiansyah Max Bannatyne Clark.
Guest speaker Head of Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Hajah Siti Haziah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin delivered the keynote address of the conference’s theme where she touched on the Sultanate’s strategy in tackling unemployment by focussing on gainful and sustainable employments.
Another keynote speaker Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) Deputy Managing Director and Commercial Director Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah underlined the importance of collaborations between the government, private sectors and corporations in promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, research and innovation to ensure the development of sustainable and future-proof human resources.
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad remarked on how relevant and beneficial the theme is for youth dialogue, “as countries and governments worldwide navigate an uncertain post-pandemic period with global instability, natural disasters, and other disruptions threatening global economic recovery and growth.
“Our collective aspiration for a better future with global prosperity and strong economic growth lies in the hands of our young generation, as they are the future industry leaders and innovative workforce of tomorrow, the ones whose creativity will increase global prosperity”.
He then officially declared the 19th ISB BGIC open and presented certificates of participation to representatives from 23 schools and presented mementos to the sponsors and supporters.
The event is sponsored by BSP, Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd, Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd, Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Fertilizer Industries Sdn Bhd, and Butra HeidelbergCement Sdn Bhd, with support from TLT Enterprise, Interhouse Company, Air Cat Logistics Sdn Bhd, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd and Aewon Garment and Embroidery.
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad also received a memento from Dr Kendall-Jones.
Foreign dignitaries, school officials and student representatives were also present.
The ISB BGIC is an annual Model United Nations style conference led by students for students. Participants represent countries to address various views on current, real world issues. The initiative is aimed at the development of students’ understanding of global citizenship and critical skills in research, public speaking and negotiation.
