Over 50 youth attended the 8th Edition of the Impact Dialogue hosted by the Young Professionals Network (YPN) as part of a promotional campaign for the prestigious WEF ASEAN 2025 that will take place in June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
The campaign aimed to celebrate women’s transformative role in driving global economic growth under the theme “Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy.”
In support of the initiative, YPN took the opportunity to raise awareness of the role of women in shaping development through an Impact Dialogue Session themed ‘Daring Greatly to Shape the Future’ which aspired to open up a discussion on leaping forward bravely in overcoming hurdles, with gumption.
The Impact Dialogue featured a keynote address from the esteemed Datin Dr (H.C) Hajah Hartini binti Osman, the WEF ASEAN 2025 Organising Chairperson, an award-winning global philanthropist which followed by an open forum discussion joined by two of Brunei’s trailblazers, Dr Hjh Mona Yati Bte DSLJ Hj Mohd Kassim, Founder, muBN Learning & Growth Company & Co-Founder and Chairperson, The Sisters Who Launch (SWL) and Hjh Zainab M.A.Omar, President, HR Society & Author, If I Knew Then What I now Know who will share their anecdotes and actions which was moderated by Fadli M.Zaini, Convener & Core Team of the Young Professionals Network.
The Impact Dialogue Series is an initiative by the Young Professionals Network aimed at creating a space for open, honest and constructive dialogue on matters related to employability, leadership and contribution to support the personal and professional development of young people to succeed meaningfully and ultimately inspire actions that contribute to development.
Participants include youth, students, young professionals, community leaders, youth in NGOs from Brunei Muara and Kuala Belait with the most participants coming from JPMC College of Health Sciences.
The Impact Dialogue started with an opening remark from Fatin Arifin, Co-Founder Young Professionals Network where she highlighted: “As we step into the 41st National Day, we must dare to leap forward bravely, individually and collectively to shape a prosperous Brunei that is full of opportunity in tandem with the National Day theme of Bersatu Mencapai Cita Negara”.
At the keynote address, Datin Dr (H.C) Hajah Hartini binti Osman, the WEF ASEAN 2025 Organising Chairperson shared: “It is with immense pride and excitement that I invite you to this landmark event to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women who are reshaping the world and the economy. The forum is a celebration of our achievements and a call to action – a reminder to continue making headlines, driving innovation, and leading with compassion and courage.”
At the Dialogue Session, Hjh Zainab encouraged youth not to be disheartened by setbacks as there will always be light at the end of the tunnel.
She highlighted: “Nobody can push your button but yourself as that is your power.” Dr Hjh Mona shared her take in daring greatly by seeing things from a positive perspective and taking oneself out from limiting beliefs. In overcoming hurdles with gumption, she advised youth to take it “one day or day one” at a time.
Datin Dr Hartini who hailed from Malaysia also shared her take on the topic by advising Bruneian youth to go into something they have a skill in, be committed to doing something greatly and when faced with issues or challenges, go to the source of it to overcome it with gumption. She challenged young people to “be the agents of change in your community”.
The Impact Dialogue ended with a networking session which saw the participants engaging with the speakers.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
