| James Kon |
THE Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, as the guest of honour yesterday officiated the two- day Toastmasters Semi-Annual District Conference hosted by Brunei Darussalam where thirty English and Mandarin contestants from Brunei, Labuan, East Malaysia and Indonesia deliver five to seven minute humorous speeches and three minutes evaluation on a test speaker that are judged by a panel of experienced Toastmasters.
Rano Iskandar, the Chairperson of the organising committee in his speech expressed, “I’m very delighted how toastmasters have impacted the Brunei community with regular club meetings, corporate workshops and school visits. Having an international event will give toastmasters a stronger presence in Brunei Darussalam.”
He also revealed, “I am aware that our guest of honour knew of toastmasters as he highly recommended my mentee to join a toastmasters club and now she has not just improved in her communication skills but she also grown as a leader.
“This is how toastmasters give value back to the community by creating new leaders in the process.”
The theme for the Brunei Conference is ‘Be the Difference’.
The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, officiating the ceremony. – JAMES KON
He explained, “When you become that change agent, then you will have an impact on others, be it small or big.”
The conference will be a special occasion where an amazing line up featuring a past International President, Mohammed Murad and sandwiched by two World Champion of Public Speaking, Dananjaya Hetteirrachchi and Darren Tay.
Also local prominent speakers, Soon Loo, CEO of DARE (Darussalam Enterprise) and Stuart Lee and the Mandarin speakers Liw Hui Peng and Lui Lep Ming, will be present in the event.
The event is jointly organised by local Toastmaster clubs namely The Brunei Speakers’ Club, Brunei Advanced Speakers’ Club, Oil Town Talkers Toastmasters Club and Universiti Brunei Darussalam Toastmasters Club.
The Brunei conference hopes to inspire youths to be confident communicator and leader as part of their daily lives so he or she can empower others.
More than 150 members of Toastmasters International District 87 including Past International President 2014-2015 Distinguished Toastmaster Mohammed Murad, District 87 Director Distinguished Toastmaster Ivy Lau, current and past district leaders, conference delegates, representatives from the sponsors and members of the media are attending the event.
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