Overcoming adversity and succeeding

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will once again play host to the Global Transformation Forum (GTF) which will see Alibaba Group executive chairman Jack Ma and Olympic champion Usain Bolt taking to the stage.

They will be joined by other luminaries like Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, motivational speaker Chris Gardner – of the Pursuit of Happyness fame – and winner of 13 F1 Grand Prix David Coulthard.

New speakers are M-Farm CEO and co-founder Jamila Abass, paralympian gold medallist Katrina Webb, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, social entrepreneur Dr Rajiv Bhanot and Catcha Group CEO and co-founder Patrick Grove.

Themed “Driving Trans­formation”, the two-day forum, which will be held at the KL Convention Centre on March 22 and 23, will be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Over 3,000 people are expected to attend to listen to how the speakers have overcome adversity by setting seemingly impossible targets, having a clear endgame and instilling the discipline of action.

Organised by Pemandu, the GTF is the world’s only platform in sharing and discussing transformative action and experiences at three distinct levels – for governments, businesses and individuals.

This is the second time such a forum is being held.

During the inaugural forum in 2015, among the speakers were former California governor and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, ex-Italian football referee Pierluigi Collina and AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

The GTF 2015 saw over 3,000 delegates from 76 countries giving the speakers an average approval rating of 92%.

Pemandu CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the increasingly borderless world demanded that change be effected to transform lives, societies, economies and even in the pursuit of “happyness”.

“The components of transformation include an ever-increasing array of disciplines – from target-setting and the discipline of hitting these targeted marks to the endless possibilities of innovation afforded by the sheer will to transform and succeed,” he said.

“Each and every one of our celebrated speakers are drivers of transformation,” said Idris.

The forum, hosted by the Malaysian Government, is organised by Pemandu in strategic partnership with World Bank Group Malaysia Global Knowledge and Research Hub.

Dr Paul Romer, the World Bank chief economist, will be one of the keynote speakers. The Star is the official media partner.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/09/overcoming-adversity-and-succeeding-speakers-to-share-their-experiences-and-discuss-transformative-a/