CALM: New leadership in Malaysia

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Cutting the cake (Tim Mackey, Canadian High Commission; Hanaa Wong, CALM President; Dr Chris Hartley, ELD)

A new Commonwealth organisation to help nurture and develop future business, government and non-government organisation leaders in Malaysia has been launched in Kuala Lumpur.

The Commonwealth Association of Leadership, Malaysia (CALM) has been launched at the Official Residence of the High Commissioner of Canada with guests from across Malaysia and various parts of the Commonwealth including AustraliaCanadaFijiIndiaKenyaNew ZealandNigeria and the UK.

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The organisation is part of the network of the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conferences (CSC).

In a letter of congratulations from the CSC President, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, she said she was delighted that CALM would spearhead the message and the mission of the Commonwealth Study Conferences in Malaysia and the Region.


The President of CALM, Hanaa Wong Abdullah, says setting up CALM has been a long process involving broad consultation; she says she is looking forward to the opportunity to help develop Malaysia’s future leaders.

Malaysia is at the dawn of an exciting future having a huge amount of leadership talent in this country.

“We will work closely with the HRH Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences to tap that talent, nurture it and help make Malaysia a shining star of the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Ms Wong Abdullah.

International representative of the Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogues Dr Chris Hartley said there is a greater need than ever for an organisation like CALM.

“Across the world we face significant and varied challenges at the moment and we need ethical, better connected and more globally inspired leaders than ever before to help solve these challenges.

“CALM’s mission — to nurture Malaysia’s future leaders — is vital as they help drive the future of this great country and make a positive impact on the rest of the Commonwealth and indeed the world,” said Dr Hartley.

The High Commissioner of Canada in Malaysia, Her Excellency Julia G. Bentley, says she was honoured to have hosted Friday night’s launch.

“The CSC programmes have had a long and respected tradition of cultivating leaders in Canada and elsewhere so I hope this important initiative will strengthen ties between the Commonwealth, Malaysia and Canada and promote ethical and effective leadership,” said the High Commissioner.

CALM members will also be involved in organising the first major CSC International Alumni conference expected to be held in 2020.