ISB BGIC 2012

BGIC 2012, another success

HRH Princess Sarah graced ISB Borneo Global Issues Conference 2012 and delivered the sabda. Image taken from The Brunei Times.

The Royal Patron for ISB BGIC 2012, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, officiated this year’s edition of Borneo Global Issues Conference at the International Convention Centre.

In her sabda, HRH Princess Sarah highlighted of the youth in our population are crucial to our development and it’s also important to empower them. Education is an important tool and so is health. This can lead to improve family values and carrying on to generations.

HRH also reminded us that the earth is facing unprecedented challenges such as decreasing natural resources and environmental degradation.

She praised ISB BGIC Secretariat who will be leading the committees of “political, environment, human rights and the security council”. 

“These upstanding young global citizens are aware of the significant responsibilities resting upon their shoulders and the importance of working together to achieve fair and practical solutions towards serious global issues,” said HRH Princess Sarah.

For more of the write-up, you can click here. [Source: The Brunei Times]

Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Poverty Project, Hugh Evans and British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Rob Fenn

Hugh Evans stole the show with his inspirational story on his journey ever since he was 12 years old. He showed “What one man can do?” to make a difference in this world.

Richard Parker is on a short visit to Brunei and for your info, he’s the founder of BGIC and he’s impressed how BGIC has grown ever since

Vincent Ho, CEO of HSBC Brunei, shared his views on the bank’s involvement towards BGIC initiative

Performance from ISB students during the opening ceremony

Also present was Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton and our Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hjh Adina. 

Of all the speakers, it was the Aussie guy that caught my attention. Hugh Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Poverty Project and did you know that he is Hugh Jackman’s brother? I’m pretty impressed with Hugh Evans @Hughcevans presentation and it made me realised a lot of things that I could have done to contribute to society. His presentation was totally inspiring to inspire volunteerism which is lacking in our society in Brunei Darussalam.

The ISB BGIC runs from 9th to 12th March 2012 and this is the 10th year that ISB has hosted such a big event. It’s good to see the local participation from local schools and also invited schools from overseas.

For the past two days, I could sense the fun factor experience from the students involved. Great job on the organisers and I shall be dropping by again today for the final day of ISB BGIC 2012 🙂

Datin Paduka Hjh Adina sharing a moment or two with Shazali Hj Sulaiman

I haven’t seen Richard (center) in a while. Great to bump into you again, buddy.

Sharleen managed to get a photo opportunity with Hugh Evans. It was her first BGIC and she has learnt quite a lot along the way and enjoying the process as well. She is representing Madagascar on the topic of environment.

Training sessions at International School Brunei (ISB) began Saturday 28 January 2012 in preparation for the 10th ISB Borneo Global Issues Conference, to be held from 9-12 March 2012 at The International Convention Centre (ICC).

The student-run conference is organised by ISB in collaboration with HSBC, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and BLNG. Over the years, this conference has attracted various local enterprises that have sponsored and supported ISB BGIC, promoting intercultural understanding and fostering close working relationships between local and international student participants. 

The theme for this year’s 10th celebratory conference is “Seven billion people; one planet”. This annual high profile conference brings together three hundred secondary students will participate in this year’s conference, from 18 local schools in Brunei Darussalam and 3 overseas schools from Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The special guest speaker at the 10th ISB BGIC opening ceremony is 2004 Young Australian of the Year Hugh Evans, Co-founder and CEO of the Global Poverty Project. Hugh is also the recipient of the 2005 Junior Chamber International Young Person of the World and a leader of the biggest anti-poverty movement in Australia, the “Make Poverty History” campaign. As a humanitarian and internationally renowned development advocate, he aims to motivate and inspire student participants to contribute more actively to society. 

Abdul Hakim, ISB student leader, conducted the training last Saturday at ISB

Students taking notes during the training session

ISB BGIC is a Model United Nations (MUN) style simulation where student participants represent countries to voice their views on real world issues, promoting international understanding and cooperation. The conference aims to develop students’ skills in public speaking, research and communication. This year’s topics include the question of rising global energy and food demand because of the growing global population, the question of the effectiveness of international long-term humanitarian aid with regard to natural disasters and war zones, and the question of massive financial debt worldwide. 

The 10th ISB BGIC Secretariat welcomed all local school participants and gave an introduction about the conference procedure. ISB student leader Abdul Hakim bin Haji Ahmad Zakaria is serving as Secretary-General this year and he recently attended The Hague International MUN (THIMUN) conference in Singapore. He said, “I am very passionate about debating world issues and promoting the voice of the youth here in Brunei Darussalam. Next week I am heading to Qatar to attend a university-level MUN conference; I think it is important that we strive to be responsible and caring global citizens who represent our countries fairly and work collaboratively towards achieving common goals”.

“This year, we are very pleased to welcome so many participants from Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Mutadee Billah; Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan; Maktab Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien; Pusat Tingkatan Enam Meragang; Pusat Tingkatan Enam Katok; Pusat Tingkatan Enam Tutong; Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri; Sekolah Menengah Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam; Sekolah Menengah Berakas; Sekolah Menengah Masin; Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna; Sekolah Menengah Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja, Mentiri; Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam, Serasa; Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina ‘Othman, Tutong; Sekolah Menengah Perdana Wazir, Kuala Belait; St. Andrew’s School and Jerudong International School.

We also look forward to welcoming school teams from overseas: Bangkok Patana, Thailand; Kolej MARA Banting, Malaysia; and Victoria Shanghai Academy, Hong Kong;” he said.

A total of five training sessions will be held on Saturdays from February to early March, offering a chance for all local participants to interact with each other and prepare for the upcoming conference, under the guidance of the ISB student leaders. Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the conference at the ICC from Saturday 10 March 2012 to Monday 12 March 2012. Details are available on www.isb.edu.bn

The guest speaker of this year’s 10th ISB BGIC is 2004 Young Australian of the Year Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of the Global Poverty Project

ISB BGIC 2012 Secretary General