A Malaysian newspaper has said that President Nasheed will be a key speaker and moderator at ‘The International Conference on Global Movement of Moderates’.
The Conference will take place from 17 to 19 January 2012.
An article on the website of Bernama, a Malaysian News Agency, said that the speakers and moderators who have confirmed their attendance so far are former Director of American National Intelligence (Rtd) Admiral Denis C. Blair of the United Stated and President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives.
President Nasheed is scheduled to speak at the conference on the topic ‘Moderation in Environmental Issues and Development’. Denis C. Blair will speak on ‘The United States of America and the Islamic world, finding a sustainable future’.
Referring to KhalekAwang, President of the Alumni Association of Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM), the conference will be attended by 450 delegates from over 70 countries, of which 55 act as speakers and moderators.
These 55 delegates include Heads of States, Secretaries-general of regional organisations, heads of international foundations and religious groups, celebrated scholars, members of the media and civil societies.
Other renowned figures who willparticipate in the conference include Foreign Minister of Indonesia Dr Marty Natalegawa, former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamed, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Dr SurakiartSathirathai, Secretary General of ASEAN Dr SurinPitsuwan and former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Professor S. Jeyakumar.
According to Khalek, the article on Bernama said that papers will be presented at the Conference in relation to moderation in political, economic, social justice and education spheres.
Speaking at a News Conference held last Thursday, Khalek said, ‘Several local and foreign organisations registered to attend this conference, however, as participation can only be by invitation, we cannot facilitate the participation of all the applicants.’
The artile on Bernama also said that the conference will be officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, following a speech by him entitled ‘Global Movement of Moderates, the way Forward’.
The idea to organise a conference for moderation was born after a speech made by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri NajibTunRazak at the United Nations General Assembly 2010.
Bernama says that according to the President of IIUM, the aim of the conference is to emphasise the common responsibility of all nations, big or small, rich or poor, in building a better future for future generations.