The 9th Tun Hussein Onn Renewal Awards Programme was successfully held this year at the Hotel Flamingo, Kuala Lumpur. This event is catered for mid career individuals between the age 35 - 50 years of age. Funded by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany, the main objective of this programme is to focus on the importance of awareness and vital role of understanding and practicing a standard ethical universal value despite the diversified religions and cultures within the Malaysian society.

Participants from almost every state in Malaysia came to renew themselves via reading, soul-searching, discussing, deliberating, listening, visiting, reflecting and to address contemporary issues placed before them.

Among the activities covered in this programme were dialogue sessions by invited speakers that elucidate issues such as the importance of sharing universal values, current social issues concerning our society, importance of the environment to humankind, key Malaysian concerns and the importance of corporate governance from a micro as well as macro perspective and the personal view of living in a multi-faith society. Added to this year's THORA was daily qi gong exercise to improve one's well being, and the need to think creatively and innovatively.

After 3 days of classroom sessions, participants were taken from the sky scraping Petronas Twin Towers and the Philharmonic Concert Hall - symbols of Malaysian success to the back streets of Kuala Lumpur, where they visited Pink Triangle and IKLHAS - two non-profit organisations that provide assistance of day time shelter, food and education on for HIV AIDS victims, transsexuals, sex workers, and drug addicts. Here, participants provided assistance by contributing toiletries and food. They then proceeded to the Selangor Physically Challenged Children's Home where these special children were greeted with warm-hearted gifts such as soft toys, balls and large quantities of diapers and toiletries.

From THORA, participants formed a common ground of one universal ethical values and addressed the key concerns of Malaysia via their wish list. Added to the wish list was a group pledge: to strengthen one's family bond, to care more of others regardless of race, creed or religion, to educate oneself and others more holistically, to love and preserve the environment, to commit to help reduce social ills, to be a more responsible citizen and to always embrace he Golden Rule of Life - "Treat Others as You Would Like to be Treated". All participants, facilitators and volunteers went home feeling renewed and motivated toward making a difference in society.

Related link:

Opening Message by Dr Wilson Tay, CEO of MIM, Opening Ceremony of the 9^th THORA programme