KK to host New Silk Roads World Forum
KOTA KINABALU: The First New Silk Roads World Forum successfully concluded on October 16 at the modern two-year-old city camps of Monash University in the heart of the City of Melbourne, Australia. Kota Kinabalu will host the forum next yesr.
Dr Geoffrey Chow, Founder and Chief Strategist of the New Silk Roads World Forum handed over the forum to Professor Dr Wilson Yong who as co-chairman of the steering committee for Kota Kinabalu accepted on behalf of the Kota Kinabalu delegation.
The Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Yeo Boon Hai gave the keynote address in the morning of the first day of the forum in Melbourne.
Nine professors from various Australian states and various countries acted as panel discussion moderators and speakers. Other highly qualified and experienced speakers from the academic world and the business world added to the depth and width of the discussions and conversations during the forum.
Six panel discussion sessions on various aspects of the New Silk Roads were held. In addition, there were three open and participatory roundtable sessions – the New Silk Roads Entrepreneurs Roundtable, New Silk Roads Women Roundtable and New Silk Roads Art & Culture Roundtable – they gave an opportunity for delegates to participate in intimate discussions of specific topics and issues.
Conscious of what culture can do to enrich the New Silk Roads, wellknown Gu Zheng musician Ivan Ngan played his own compositions at the forum dinner. All present appreciated the beautiful music while enjoying dinner. Art displays by local Australian artists and art from Sabah was also enjoyed over wine and conversations throughout the two-day forum.
Two spinoffs from the forum were: the creation of the New Silk Roads Research Group and the Women New Silk Roads Sisterhood Project.Those interested in research formed the New Silk Roads Research Group during the forum.
Each of the more than 60 delegates who attended the forum had useful takeaways and some admitted they learned a lot about the New Silk Roads.