WMS 2013: Eradicate poverty, extreme hunger and achieve universal primary education

These were the focus of the first day of the World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013 (WMSM 2013 ) which kickstarted today at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

The panel of local and international speakers felt deeply about the poverty condition that is gripping the world and the urgency for education to reach every nook and corner of the universe that they awed some 2,500 delegates with their attempts to break down the issues and suggest apt solutions.

Bashayer Investment Company CEO Sara Ismail Mohamed said that there is a sharp gap between the wealth and poverty and one of the ways to overcome it is though impact investments, a concept established in 2007 by Rockefeller Foundation.

"There is a need of continued participation between the private sectors and government organisations in investing and sustaining Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and programmes.

"CSR needs to move away from charity and philanthropy to engagement and empowerment. One such successful initiative is impact investments.

"Although relatively new, impact investment is already being adopted by many private investors, institutions and governments primarily in the United States and Europe," she said.

Meanwhile, the founder of the School of Hope, Malaysia, Stanley Sie warmed everyone's hearts with his anecdotes of his project of educationg the poor people of Mabul.

"The islanders in Mabul are considered stateless people and as such, they do not have access to proper public education or healthcare.

"I set up the School of Hope and it has shown over time that giving education and healthcare to these children have lasting benefits.

"The children are looking at the future and know that having an education will benefit them and will provide better income to their families," he said.

Chied Executive Officer of LeapED Services, Malaysia, John D. Chacko opened audiences eyes to the education situation in the country by suggesting that the education needs of young children are evolving.

"Today's education must therefore support the development of conscious consumers from the early years of life.

"Primary education should foster skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creative and independent learning, and questioning strategies that equip children to make informed choices," he said.

The inspiring speeches made up for the absence of WMS founder Professor Dr Philip Kotler's. Kotler had to take absence from the event because his wife had undergone a hip surgery and he apologised for missing the event through a media statement.

The dialogue-filled, “think-tank” congregation of minds, will see an acclaimed cast of international thought leaders and speakers.

The WMSM 2013aims to revolutionise the way people think, live and act as individuals within their community, nation and the global context.

The Summit in 2013 will be held from 28th to 30th September.