>> MIM Speaks
PROGRESS THROUGH SELF-RENEWAL
NOVEMBER 03, 2002 -
THE STAR
By JON TAN
WHILE the nation progresses in tandem with the world and moves
towards Vision 2020, there has been a constant decline in civic
consciousness and traditional values as well as personal
integrity.
Public apathy abounds - children and parents get abandoned,
courtesy erodes, public toilets remain filthy, road rage,
substance abuse, rise in sexual perversions and crimes.
Ethics is compromised for materialistic greed - corruption and
questionable corporate practices, including lack of
transparency, continue to taint the fabric of Malaysian life.
Extremism in its various manifestations threatens to destabilise
the peace and harmony among the different races and faiths.
Technology is being embraced at the expense of losing more of
the human touch. Nature is ecologically disturbed and even
destroyed in the name of progress.
To quote former Malaysian Institute of Management CEO Dr
Tarcisius Chin: "The contributing causes for the deterioration
are international influences, the breakdown of family
institution, the culture of materialism, a narrow educational
base biased towards academic excellence, and insufficient
opportunity to develop the full person."
It is with these dark clouds that the Tun Hussein Onn Renewal
Awards (Thora) 2002 programme participants - from various
faiths, races and nationalities as well as walks of life -
gathered under a canopy of hope to journey into self- discovery
in search of the silver lining.
"For the world to change, I must change first." This axiom
motivated the Thora 2002 participants to adopt the theme:
Progress through self-renewal.
It is imperative that for any vicious circle to be broken there
must be, first, awareness of the issues at hand. Then one must
take ownership of the responsibility to contribute towards
propagating the corrective process.
But in the final analysis, "change" has to start with the
individual, who must first thoroughly and earnestly address
his/her core values and purpose in life.
The Thora programme is the brainchild of Dr Chin, who had
expressed concern about the decline of social and ethical values
in our managers and sensed a need to rekindle the human spirit.
Designed to serve the interests of mid-career managers to help
them renew themselves, Thora provides the opportunity for such
Malaysians to reflect on the meaning of life and the need to be
more socially aware and committed to social development.
The programme is especially suited to qualified Malaysian
managers and selected foreign participants who have a passionate
concern for personal and social behaviour, as well as a desire
to help create a better society.
Thora saw fruition in 1998, when the MIM in partnership with KAF
conducted the inaugural programme with the view to enhance the
quality of life for certain segments of Malaysian society and
enable them to be civil, responsible and self- sufficient.
The scope of the week-long Thora programme encompasses:
* THE opportunity for mid-career managers to step back and look
at their lives.
* STUDY of the Wisdom of the Ages, which incorporates readings
from thinkers and leaders through the ages from as far back as
Plato, not only for the expansion of the mental faculties but
more importantly for drawing inferences in relation to the
current context.
* GROUP discussions and presentations on the Wisdom of the Ages
as well as key Malaysian concerns, and ways to address them.
* TALKS and lectures covering current topics as well as topics
relevant to the human renewal exercise, including heart-rending
experiences and social commentaries.
* VISITS to see for ourselves life's contrasts: The high-living
at Petronas Twin Towers and the shadowy world of the Pink
Triangle/Ikhlas Centre and the seedy surroundings of Chow Kit
Road; Living it up at a resort hotel and then sojourning to see
the unfortunate children of the Home for Mentally Retarded
Children in Ampang.
* SHARING of emotive experiences and personal breakthroughs or
self-renewals. and personal and group reflections of key issues
and concerns that transpire.
* PRESENTATION of a "wish list" (crystallising the sharing and
deliberations of the Thora 2002 participants) to the Tun Hussein
Onn Family during the closing ceremony dinner function.
At the conclusion, midsets were re-evaluated. Some would get
back into the mainstream of life with newfound social causes.
Some would want to contribute to society in a small way
initially, to make whatever little difference.
The Thora spirit has inspired past Thorans to launch several
social projects, including those for children, old folk and the
disabled. A home for the mentally retarded has also been
adopted. Of course, the ultimate test of Thora participants is
to see that the "wish list" being turned into reality.
Jon Tan was among the 36 participants of Mora 2002. He is a
speaker and trainer in communication, and a consultant for
corporate and social events.
|
