Published: Monday November 16, 2009 MYT 7:56:00 PM
Become leaders if you want change, ‘Sir Bob’ tells youths
By SHARMILA NAIR
PUTRAJAYA: If leaders do not respond to your ideas of change, then you must become a leader yourself, Live Aid and Live8 founder Bob Geldof told the crowd at the inaugural Youth Engagement Summit (YES 2009) in Putrajaya International Convention Centre here Monday.
In his talk, Geldof encouraged youths to commit themselves and move towards the change they strongly believe in, even if it means taking matters into their own hands.
“Change can be good or bad, but it is only good when it meets the needs, and is balanced by the requirements, of society,” he told the 1,000 youth leaders present.
The event brought together youth representatives from all over South-East Asia together with global icons such as Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and chess legend Garry Kasparov.
“You are representatives of very intelligent people in your countries. You may be going to universities or colleges and that is your capability, your talent. But who you are is very different indeed,” said Geldof.
“When you marry what you are capable of doing with who you are, change begins,” he added, urging the youngsters to return to their homes and do what they can to benefit their societies.
“You must remember to discuss your ideas of change with your leaders. If they don’t respond, you must become the leader yourself. You must commit yourself and once you do that, you can make it (change) happen.
“No matter how mad your idea, do it,” he said.
The two-day summit features speakers from various fields such as former managing director of World Bank Dr Mamphela Ramphele, the first Indian F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and AirAsia Group CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, and is moderated by TV personality Lorraine Hahn.
R.AGE is the official media partner of YES2009. Follow @thestar_rage for live Twitter updates from the summit throughout the event.
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