Soroptimist International’s President Elect, Siew Yong Gnanalingam, was unable to attend the Convention in person, and so recorded a special message for those in attendance. Martyna Wykrota provides the commentary of the event.
President Elect Siew Yong Gnanalingam was not able to attend the Soroptimist International Dublin Convention due to the loss of her husband, Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam, who sadly passed away on the 11 July 2023. A moment of silence was held at the Convention to commemorate his passing.
A pre-recorded video of the President Elect was played, during which Siew Yong elaborated on how her work within Soroptimist International (SI) has prepared her for the role of future presidency. She celebrated the accomplishments of SI, stating that she is in awe of what SI has achieved as a global voice and advocate through our work with the United Nations (UN), recognising the hard work of the SI UN Representatives.
Much has been achieved by SI President Maureen Maguire, by bringing the Federations closer than ever before, making us stronger together. Siew Yong went on to say that she believes we need to leverage our global membership and connect with our younger members to showcase who we are and what we do. She said that we cannot sustain SI if we are not inclusive and concerned with their needs.
Siew Yong stated that she will be focusing on climate change and environmental issues during her biennium (2024-2025). She elaborated on how climate change disproportionately affects women, by exposing them to danger and emotional stress, limiting their access to education and food security.
‘It is never too late to do our part, to sustain the future generation’.
The effects of climate change can be felt globally through flooding, wildfires, catastrophic rise in sea level and droughts which disproportionately affecting women, children and indigenous people. Globally, we must focus on eliminating greenhouse emissions and push for the implementation of strategies and policies to strive for a safer future.
Siew Yong proposed we support the cause ‘Save Mother Earth, Save the Future’ for the 2024-2025 biennium, to keep our planet healthy and sustain it for future generations. Through education, awareness and collective action, we empower individuals to become catalysts for change. We strive to inspire a global movement that transcends borders, cultures, and backgrounds. Our actions today, will determine the legacy we leave for tomorrow. We must reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible. If 65’000 of our members were able to educate and influence 10 people, we will have 650’000 healers and advocates for Mother Earth.
Siew Yong shared some ways in which we can act more sustainably by:
• Reducing our dependence on cars and embracing public transport, or by cycling and walking
• Carrying out trash clear ups to protect wildlife
• Making eco-friendly food choices, such as eating local produce which is in season to cut down greenhouse emissions linked to import of goods
• Cultivating our own food
• Preserving and conserving forests and wildlife
• Planting trees to improve air quality
Hopefully advocacy will lead to more transformation, encouraging city and rural authorities to take positive actions and make policy decisions which will reduce the damage done to mother earth. We will align ourselves with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Siew Yong introduced the One World ‘Save Me Green Warriors’ Exchange Programme, which will be led by four young Warriors selected by SI Federations, connecting them with members globally to learn about climate efficiency. The programme will hopefully launch in 2025.
The future President highlighted the need for us to include men and boys in our fight for climate justice, as we are better and stronger together. We must encourage men to be agents of transformative change to strive for women’s empowerment. We need more collaboration and inclusivity between genders as protecting the environment and Mother earth is our collective responsibility.
In closing, President Elect Siew Yong thanked the SI Board of Directors for their knowledge, hard work and dedication and the SI Staff for their professional support to make SI work achievable and smooth.
Watch Siew Yong’s speech below.