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GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA MISSION Facilitate interfaith partnerships Strengthening of family and marriages Fostering a culture of service and volunteerism Contents 2 Chairman’s Message 3 Introduction 4 Global Peace Leadership Exchange 10 Midnight Football 14 Power of 10 Sen 16 Character Education 18 Global Peace Volunteers 20 Global Peace Convention 2011 24 GPF Malaysia Board Members & Executive Team 25 Acknowledgements ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | GPFM 1 GPF Layout.indd 1 4/16/12 4:37:50 PM GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA Chairman’s Message The year 2011 has been an exceptionally busy year and yet a fruitful year for us as an organisation. With God’s grace we were able to accomplish more than the year before. The credit goes to a great team within the organisation as well as collaboration with kind partners, whether they are government agencies, corporate bodies or other non-pro!t organisations. I must take this opportunity to thank all our partners and all the people who supported us to make our programs a success. I would especially like to express our deepest appreciation to the Department of National Unity and Social Integration for collaborating in Global Peace Leadership Exchange and Midnight Football, both of which created impacts. We are also grateful to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for engaging us in the innovative and meaningful program of Midnight Football. The mission of GPFM is to create a culture of peace. I believe our unifying vision of ‘One Family under God’ can transcend the many barriers of ethnicity, nationality and religion, fostering love among all people as members of one human family. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our relationships with strategic partners developed over the last few years and engage many others in an effort to expand the impact of our programs locally and internationally. You can help us by offering your feedback and suggestions so that we can keep improving and become more effective. Our challenge ahead is to continue planting the seeds of peace in the hearts of mankind – the most important thing we can do in the world. I know that with your help, no matter what the challenges, we will achieve this ambition. I would like to thank everyone who makes this vital work possible – our supporters, donors and volunteers. Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Hjh Zaleha Ismail Chairman, Global Peace Festival Malaysia 2 GPFM | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 GPF Layout.indd 2 4/16/12 4:37:52 PM GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA MALAYSIA Introduction GPF Malaysia is an af!liate of US- are part of the one human family. positive social transformation, GPFM based Global Peace Festival Foundation This simple yet powerful vision for hopes to bring about a new culture of (GPFF), an international non-pro!t peace is combined with a practical peace and service in our country. peace movement that believes the plan of action. The GPFF, which is power of one human family can ease headquartered in Washington, DC, During the year 2011, numerous social con"ict in the world. That vision can develops and supports many programs initiatives were planned, launched be summarized in one meaningful and initiatives around the world and implemented in Malaysia, with phrase – One Family Under God. for strengthening families, serving guidance and support from GPFF. communities and engaging youth. These included leadership conferences, The profound truth is that all humanity educational programs, community is connected in a most fundamental GPF Malaysia is one of the 23 international service projects, youth workshops, way, beyond the differences of race, chapters that carry out volunteer activities activities to engage volunteers, and the religion or nationality. Because to promote cross-cultural understanding building of multi-sectorial partnerships. we all share a common Origin or as a foundation for peace. By investing This report is a summary of all those Source, the Creator God, all people in programs that can bring about efforts made by GPFM in 2011. ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | GPFM 3 GPF Layout.indd 3 4/16/12 4:37:53 PM GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA Global Peace Leadership Exchange (GPLE) “I do not wish my house to be walled on all sides and my windows stu!ed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.” Gandhi OBJECTIVES 1. To create a platform for exchange of best practices in peace- building and nation-building. 2. To foster inter-cultural understanding between Malaysia and Korea 3. To provide opportunity for Malaysians and Koreans to broaden their social, cultural and economic perspectives and build networks that can facilitate In 2011, GPF-Malaysia formed a partnership The program drew a great response from their contribution for peace-building. with the Department of National Unity and each visiting Korean delegation, expressing Integration (JPNIN) of the Prime Minister’s their high admiration for the ‘unity in Department and GPFF-Korea. Together we diversity’ spirit of Malaysian society. “Malaysia is the best place kicked off the GPLE program in Malaysia for Koreans to experience and enabled it to become a valuable and The GPLE provided the Korean visitors effective platform to share best practices, with a greater understanding of the spirit of One Family ideas and experiences in peace-building. our social and cultural framework Under God because of its and !rmly established goodwill and ‘unity in diversity’ as a multi- Since April 2011, the GPLE has brought friendship between the two nations. together two countries for this unique cultural, multi-racial nation.” purpose. Leaders from various sectors of Each visit by the delegates was a pleasant Korean and Malaysian society participated surprise for them as they witnessed and Mr. David Yoo, in the programme which was held six experienced Malaysia’s colourful diversity President of Global Peace Festival times in Malaysia and once in Korea. and were touched by the warm hospitality. Foundation (GPFF) Korea “We are very grateful that the Department of National Unity (of Malaysia) can work very closely with the GPFF-Korea and the GPF- Malaysia. Malaysians are very blessed and fortunate that we have been able to live together all these years despite our diversity and differences. So, the highest level is to celebrate. Celebrate the diversity that we have.” Y.B. Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department 4 GPFM | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 GPF Layout.indd 4 4/16/12 4:37:56 PM GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA GPLE ACTIVITIES certi!cate to establish friendship and During each trip, the GPLE program encompassed exchanged gifts signifying goodwill in the various activities and events to provide the Korean spirit of building One Family under God. delegation with socio-cultural perspectives of Malaysia in interactive ways. These included: Community visits — Korean delegates carried out community service such as Forum to share experiences and best planting trees or painting murals in schools, practices — various local partners were creating value for local suburbs and invited to talk about their projects and efforts villages. Meanwhile through the home visits, to bring about social awareness and peace. delegates enjoyed kind hospitality from their host families while gaining a unique performances while savouring traditional dishes, ethnic delicacies and local fruits. Peace and Friendship Exchange insight into local customs and way of life. They were also given opportunities to try Ceremony — each Korean delegate was their hand at making authentic local food paired with a Malaysian. They signed a Cultural experience — delegates were exposed to various traditional and cultural and take part in local craft and games. ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | GPFM 5 GPF Layout.indd 5 4/16/12 4:37:58 PM GLOBAL PEACE FESTIVAL MALAYSIA Outcomes Awareness of Malaysia Between April 2011 and October 2011, the GPLE The majority of Korean society has attracted some 400 Korean delegates from little knowledge about Malaysia various backgrounds to visit Malaysia which led compared to neighbouring Thailand to a huge positive outcome and multiple bene!ts and Singapore. The GPLE not for everyone. A majority of these delegates are only introduced our country to change-makers and opinion leaders such as Koreans, but gave them a unique current and former members of parliament, and deeper insight into our heads of government agencies, and provincial culture, religious faiths, tourist and county councillors. Their experience in our attractions, natural heritage and country has helped to change their perception of other rich diversities. Many Korean Malaysia which in turn has in"uenced others. delegates expressed surprise by the many beautiful places and abundance of culture. Others “For over 5,000 years, Korea has were moved by the heart-warming “!rough this GPLE, I realized Malaysian hospitality. In essence, focused on purity, exclusiveness and we established ambassadors that the perception I had towards oneness. But recently we have been of 1Malaysia in Korea. Malaysia up until now was a big challenged by different cultures, mistake. !e aspect of accepting ethnic backgrounds and values. many di"erent religions and Malaysia is the best country to help co-existing in harmony was a Korea learn how people can co-exist great shock. !e slogan ‘One peacefully despite their diversity.” Malaysia” has a very similar Dr Young-Sun Song, concept to our GPFF slogan of Honourable Congresswoman, Republic of Korea ‘One Family Under God’ and the Malaysian culture supports that idea, which made me feel more attracted to Malaysia.” Dr Chang Yeon Lee, Director of Social Education, Taekyeong University Unity in Diversity – A model for peace The Korean delegates were fascinated by how our multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi- religious society could exist harmoniously and how its people lived together peacefully despite the differences.