KUALA LUMPUR, 19 NOVEMBER 2021 – Yayasan Hasanah (Hasanah), an impact-based foundation of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, will organise the inaugural Hasanah Forum 2021 from 17th to 18th November, 2021.

The Hasanah Forum 2021 takes on the theme, ‘From Charity to Justice - Vision for an Equal and Just Malaysia’ and aims to drive constructive socio-economic change through thought leadership, critical thinking, conversations, and collaborations.

“Various plans and policies have been laid out to chart Malaysia’s post-pandemic recovery to enable us to achieve shared prosperity, enhance inclusivity and pave the way for a more sustainable Malaysia for future generations, in line with the tenets of Keluarga Malaysia. We are entering a new season. Some rules of engagement will need to change after nearly 20 months of slower socio-economic activity, the heavy impact of which is felt at all layers of society.

“Moving the needle on equity and social justice also requires a concerted and committed approach. For this reason, The Hasanah Forum 2021 will fold in multi-sectoral views for change makers to engage in on-going conversations for collective and inclusive progress,” said Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Managing Director and Trustee of Yayasan Hasanah.

The Hasanah Forum 2021 will feature 37 speakers and panelists comprising global and local thought leaders from across civil society, academia, government and concerned citizenry to tackle fundamental issues and help accelerate social and economic equalities and justice for Malaysia and her people.

“This is a timely and unique opportunity for everyone to connect on key conversations that will shape our future as Malaysians – on matters related to socio-economic and environmental issues, on rights and dignity, as well as the role of institutions and society as a whole,” said Dato’ Shahira.

“The Forum is an extension of the knowledge-sharing work we are already doing as a Foundation and complements various strategic initiatives by the government and other civil society organisations to raise the momentum for nation-building,” added Dato’ Shahira.

The Hasanah Forum 2021 will be inaugurated by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Finance, Malaysia.

Programme highlights include two Keynote Addresses by Kate Raworth, Economist and Author of ‘Doughnut Economics’ and Ben Phillips, Campaigner and Writer on development, social justice and power as well as Author of ‘How to Fight Inequality’.

There will also be five Special Addresses by local thought leaders, offering experience, analysis and roadmaps for Malaysia’s justice narrative. The speaker line-up includes Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hj Mokhtar and Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan.

More than 20 local, regional and global civil society and corporate leaders will take the stage in 3 Core Panel Sessions - People & Society, People & Institutions and People & Leadership – to tackle issues on empowerment for citizen-led actions, lasting systemic and institutional changes as well as 21st Century solutions and innovations. Panelists include Professor Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Senior Research Advisor, Khazanah Research Institute; Leong Cheung, Executive Director Charities & Community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Anshu Gupta, Founder of GOONJ; Yibin Chu, Head of Community Investing and Development, Asia Pacific, Citi; Jalil Rasheed, Group CEO of Berjaya Corporation Berhad; Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, Chair of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Board, Chairperson, and others.

Deliberations around the 3 Special Sessions - The Pandemic, Malaysia’s Future and Our Non-Profit & Social Enterprise Ecosystem – will address issues presently facing the nation and are poised to set the stage for collective action. These sessions will be anchored by Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at University of Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine: Tharma Pillai, Advocacy Director & Co-Founder, UNDI 18; Shaq Koyok, Indigenous Artist & Activist; Sasibai Kimis, Social Entrepreneur, Earth Heir; and others.

The forum will also feature a special opening performance of a Sajak Recital by National Laureate, Dr Lim Swee Tin accompanied by Wan Khairun Sofea, a Yayasan Khazanah Scholar and Kumar Karthigesu, Creative and Musical Director of the Temple of Fine Arts.

The closing will showcase an Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) special performance by Sutra Foundation, Hands Percussion and Persatuan Cinta Seni Budaya (PERSIDAYA) to honour the diverse arts and cultural heritage of Malaysia. ArtsFAS is the latest addition to the various art preservation and conservation initiatives by Hasanah.

“As a catalyst for social change, Hasanah will continue to push the envelope on social impact. The Hasanah Forum 2021 is just the first in its series. It will continue to serve as a key engagement platform to address contextualised challenges in the nation’s development towards a more inclusive and progressive Malaysia,” added Dato’ Shahira.

The Hasanah Forum 2021 will be fully online and free to attend. Log on to https://thf.yayasanhasanah.org to reserve a seat, for more information or to get the detailed agenda.

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