First ever World Speech Day in Tawau
TAWAU: Nineteen presenters, including 11 students aged between 10 and 75 years took to the stage to present their views on issues covering environment, economy, language, gender inequality, relationship and positive thinking during a World Speech Day held at the Charis International School auditorium on March 15.
Organising chairman Lee Chye Ewe said more than 400 people attended the World Speech Day which is held throughout the world to offer opportunities for anyone to speak on the theme ‘For a Better World’.
Lee said Tawau had just made history when for the first time ever a World Speech Day event was held in Malaysia, with Tawau being honoured to host it.
Each speaker was given three to five minutes to speak and were told to skip any salutations or greetings to make full use of the time allocated for their speeches. This, in effect, allowed the audience to listen to 19 speeches in one go and in various languages.
“This is probably the first time in history that so many speeches were presented within a 2½ hour period without any competition! The whole event was also streamed live through a mobile application Rings. tv from Singapore as the event’s media partner. Thus it enabled interested people around the world to watch the whole event using their mobile devices.
“The World Speech Day Malaysia held in Tawau sends a strong message that in order to have a better world we must not point fingers at others but to start from ourselves, with our positive thinking, kind words and courageous actions,” Lee expressed.
In his closing remarks, Lee also shared how he took up the challenge to organize the event in only 15 days. However, with Charis International School and its Gavel Club’s willingness to work together and the Tawau member of parliament, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching generously sponsoring the event, it was geared all the way to great success. And a great success it turned out to be. All the speakers and the audience took the event positively.
He thanked everyone for their support which helped to make Tawau lead the way in voicing their views for a better world during the World Speech Day.
The response to the first World Speech Day was so overwhelming that many have requested for it to be held again next year. Some even wanted to sign up as speakers right away.
In response, Charis International School agreed to host the event again next year and indicated that it is even prepared to make it an annual event
Lee also accepted the request to be the organizing chairperson once again. He was later informed by Mary that she would again sponsor the event.