CORE SESSION 4: SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY

Know when to hold firm and when to adapt.

Hold firm on what matters most and stay flexible on the rest. Whether in a family, a community or an organisation, progress depends on knowing what is truly non-negotiable. In heritage conservation, for example, core principles such as integrity and authenticity must stay firm, while modern needs like air conditioning can be met through reversible changes.

When one door closes, find another way in. Staying firm on a goal does not mean committing to a single route to reach it. When stateless children were turned away from formal education for lacking documents, their advocates refused to accept that these children did not belong, and opened a school of their own instead.

Shift your mindset as the work evolves. Few endeavours succeed by being tight or loose all the time. Creative work often begins loosely with open idea generation, turns tight during disciplined execution, and relaxes once more to celebrate success. Athletes likewise rely on discipline and a clear game plan, yet must be ready to adapt in the moment when circumstances change.

Nurture belief early, because it shapes the paths people take.

Recognise that childhood experiences can plant the seeds of a lifelong calling. The environments people grow up in, from the homes they live in to the freedom they are given to explore, often shape the passions and careers they pursue later in life. What begins as a childhood fascination can grow into a lifelong purpose.

Back bold choices, even unconventional ones. Many meaningful paths begin with a leap that others might discourage, such as leaving a stable job, pursuing an unusual career or chasing an ambitious sports dream from a young age. Trusting people to make these choices, and standing by them when they do, gives them the confidence to pursue paths that can go on to make a difference in their communities.

Believe in people before they believe in themselves. A father’s simple encouragement, “if iron can fly, what can’t you do?”, became a guiding philosophy for empowering stateless children. A mentor who saw potential that a student had not yet seen in herself set her on the path to becoming a professor. Seeing and naming potential in others can give them the confidence to reach heights they never imagined.

Empower communities to shape their own futures.

Use your power to lift others. The confidence, experience and platform gained through success can be passed on to empower others. Whether by using a public profile to champion a cause, passing on skills to the next generation or opening spaces to the community, power is most meaningful when it is shared.

Give every child the chance to realise their potential. Every child is born with potential, but many remain stranded when they are excluded from the systems most of us take for granted. Access to education, sport and mental health support can help young people build confidence and resilience. Decisions made in boardrooms ultimately affect the children at the margins and should be made with them in mind.

Build progress together, because no one does it alone. Lasting change in a community relies on many hands: partners who lend their trust, specialists who bring skills others lack, and leaders who give everyone a voice. Creating spaces where anyone can contribute, whatever their title or background, unlocks better ideas and shared ownership of the outcome.

Quotes

“I think it’s really important to just give everyone that we interact with the benefit of the doubt. Everyone that we’re interacting with is trying their best.”
– Prof Michele Gelfand

“If a city doesn’t have old buildings, it’s like a man without memory.”
– Datin Ar Junn Ng

“Sport in the family was always that value builder. It created that fundamental values that nothing else teaches you like discipline, resilience, confidence and just time management focus.”
– Datuk Nicol David

“If iron can fly in the sky, what are things that a little girl cannot do?”
– Siti Rahayu Baharin