PENANG is hosting Lions Club members and leaders from around the world for the 63rd Oriental Southeast Asian Lions Forum (OSEAL Forum), which runs from today until Sunday at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
Since its inception in 1962, the forum has brought together Lions members and leaders from across Asia and the world, providing a platform for international fellowship, leadership development, knowledge exchange and collaboration in humanitarian service.
Themed “Bridging the World”, this year’s forum aims to attract 6,050 registered Lions members to exchange service experiences and strengthen cross-border humanitarian cooperation.
At a press conference held at Penang Golf Club, forum chairperson Colonel Datuk Ooi Chao Syhuan said the theme reflected the forum’s vision of strengthening connections among Lions districts through international engagement and knowledge sharing.
Lions Clubs International president Mark S. Lyon highlighted the organisation’s extensive global reach, noting that its members remained united by a shared commitment to community service.
“We’ve over 50,000 Lions clubs in over 750 districts around the world. It’s quite daunting when you think about it, but it’s just an evolution in our organisation, with all people focused on service,” he said.
While the forum carries the overall theme “Bridging the World”, Lyon said his annual theme, “Rooted in Service”, aimed to reconnect members with the organisation’s founding values and renew their commitment to helping communities.
“This year, my theme is ‘Rooted in Service’. And it’s all about getting back to our roots, getting back to our service journey, and reminding ourselves and re-engaging ourselves in our Lions service mission,” he said.
Meanwhile, chairperson A.P. Singh commended Malaysia’s Leo programme for encouraging youth participation and nurturing future leaders.
He also thanked Malaysian Lions members for supporting the foundation, which provides grants to communities in need through funds raised by members and partners.
“Malaysia has a wonderful Leo programme, which is also supporting the youngsters. We need the young minds, we need the young voices and a very strong Leo programme in this country.
“We Lions raise funds. We find the money from ourselves, our associates, business connections, sometimes even government authorities, and then those funds are awarded through grants wherever the needs may be,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were Lions Clubs International first vice-president Manoj Shah and past international presidents Brian E. Sheehan, J. Frank Moore III, Dr Jitsuhiro Yamada, Kajit Habanananda and Dr Wing-Kun Tam.
The forum’s programme includes an International Presidents Golf Cup, a welcoming dinner, an international banquet, seminars, leadership development sessions, an environmental project, a food expo and daily small and medium enterprise (SME) exhibitions.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expected to attend.
Story and pix by Ammar Mikhail Aamer