World Humanitarian Day 2023 Celebrations: Three Minute Speaker's Corner

In the tradition of Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner — a historic locus of democratic discourse where individuals from various walks of life have converged to discuss a multitude of issues — the "Three Minute Speaker's Corner" competition endeavoured to encapsulate that very spirit of open dialogue and freedom of expression.

The competition, organised by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) at the School of Business, sought to instantiate this revered tradition at Monash University Malaysia. The event encouraged participants to advocate on a global issue of their choice, emphasising the necessity of unity and collective action to confront worldwide challenges.

The Competition was designed to be a microcosm of society where diverse voices could be heard and multi-disciplinary topics could be discussed. Sitting the event in an open area near the cafeteria at lunch hour created an informal atmosphere that allowed for genuine, unfettered conversations.

The nine speakers offered perspectives that spanned an array of subjects, from the importance of political education to the ethical imperatives of science and environmental stewardship. Each presentation served as a catalyst for further dialogue and collaborative engagement, thus embodying the ethos of collective action enshrined in World Humanitarian Day's 2023 theme, #ittakesavillage.

Winners of the "3 Minute Speaker's Corner" competition demonstrated exceptional insights across various crucial subjects. Bryant captivated the audience by emphasising the youth's critical need for political awareness, while Gelson offered a poignant take on human rights. Dinyadarshini won accolades for her impassioned plea for a nuclear-weapons-free world. Additionally,

Vicki provided a compelling case for recycling as a pathway to a sustainable future, and Fatima's 'Ripples' illuminated the imperative for universal access to education.

Complementing these outstanding winners were other noteworthy contributions: Vetriselvan's dialogue on the harmonious intersection of science and compassion, ZhiShang's call for empathy in uniting humanity, Ariz's and Vasily’s climate advocacy, and Preevena's exploration of intersectional feminism as a solution for gender inequality. Together, these speakers provided a rich tapestry of ideas, reiterating the event's role as a crucible for intellectual debate and collective action on pressing global issues.

Once again, Congratulations to all the winners and participants! We extend our sincere gratitude to our distinguished panel of judges: Professor Matthew Nicholson, Dr Loganathan Krishnan, and Ms Uma Mageswary. The PRME platform at the School of Business is led by Dr Priya Sharma (Director), Dr Loganathan Krishnan (Research), Dr Daniel Loy (Engagement) and Dr Nazirul Hazim (Education).

Event highlights