It is aimed at providing a better understanding of the issues and challenges that the Malaysian society and family institution must face and address in the nation's shift to a k-economy; to assess the Malaysian family's preparedness in terms of the prerequisites and imperatives of K-economy; and to propose measures and programmes to provide an enabling environment for an orderly and successful transition; to give an opportunity to government and non-government agencies (which are involved in providing services for the family) to get together to deliberate on these issues. The deliberation will also provide feedback and suggestions to government and NGOs on how to update and expand their family development programmes especially in those areas that guide families (especially parents) to be effective care givers. It will also identify crucial areas in which there is an urgent need for further studies and research at local level.

Programme:
PLENARY SESSIONS 1. Family in the K-economy Age : Challenges to Parenthood

The speakers are :

- Dr. Margarita Frederico, Lecturer in Social Work (La Trobe University, Australia) & Professor Thea Brown, Professor in Social Work (Monash University, Australia)

- YAD Datin Professor Jamilah Ariffin, Senior Research Fellow and Professor in Sociology of Development, Institute Sultan Iskandar (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)

- Professor Chiam Heng Keng, Professor in Child Development (University of Malaya)

2.The Role of the State and Public Institutions in Strengthening the Family Unit in the K-economy Age The speakers are :

- Dato’ Professor Dr. Ibrahim bin Ahmad Bajunid, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (Universiti Tun Abdul Razak)

- Dr. Gill Raja, Lecturer in Social Work (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)

- Dato’ Dr. Haji Shahir bin Nasir, Deputy Executive Chairman (Yayasan Pelajaran Johor) and former State Secretary of Johor

3.The Role of NGOs and the Private Sector in Strengthening the Family Unit in the K-economy Age The speakers from the NGO sector are :

- Dr. Frederick Toke, Founder, Family Life Centre (Singapore)

- Mr. Lee Wee Min, Executive Director (Focus on the Family Malaysia)

- Mr. Henry Teh, Executive Director (Malaysian Humanitarian Foundation) Other experts will speak in the six Workshop Sessions

WORKSHOP TOPICS ARE :-

A. Effective Parenting Skills in the Age of K-economy

B. Increasing Family Income through Employment in the K-economy: Rethinking Work Culture and Work Ethics

C. Gearing Youth and Family Programs in Diverting the Negative Aspects of the K-economy Culture

D. Developing a Caring Public Service in Helping Parents to Cope with Problems Posed by K-economy Age

E. The Role of NGOs in Helping the Family to Adjust to Changes In the K-economy Age

F. Mental Health in the K-economy Age: Effective Coping Strategies

These are vital topics to deliberate upon with the aim of strengthening the family unit in the midst of challenges created by the changing mode of production in the K-economy age. Families need help and guidance to remain resilient and to retain the right values and outlook.

Day 1 (Friday: November 9, 2001)

8.15 p.m. Arrival and Registration of Participants 8.45 p.m. Arrival of VIPs 9.00 p.m. Welcome address by YAD Datin Professor Dr Jamilah Ariffin, President of APFAM (Malaysia) 9.10 p.m. Opening Address by YBhg Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Zulkifli bin Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali, Vice Chancellor of UTM/or Chairman of ISI 9.20 p.m. Keynote Address by YAB Dato’ Abdul Ghani bin Othman, Menteri Besar Johor 9.35 p.m. Book launching of ‘Proceedings of APFAM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “FAMILY WELL BEING: LEARNING FROM THE PAST FOR BETTERMENT IN THE FUTURE” ‘ 9.45 p.m. Late Refreshments/Press Conference

Day 2 (Saturday, November 10, 2001)

9.00 – 10 30 am Plenary 1: “Malaysian Family in the K-economy Age : Challenges to Parenthood” 10.30 a.m. Morning refreshments 10.45 a.m. -12.15 noon : (two workshops running concurrently) Workshop 1 : “Effective Parenting Skills in the Age of K-economy” Workshop 2: “Increasing Family Income through Employment : Rethinking Work Culture and Work Ethics” 12.15 p.m. LUNCH 2.00 - 3.30 pm Plenary 2: “The Role of the State and Public Institutions in Strengthening the Family Unit in the K-economy Age” 3.30 p.m Tea break 4.00 - 5.30 pm (two workshops running concurrently) Workshop 3: “Gearing Youth and Family Programs in Diverting the Negative Aspects of the K-economy Culture” Workshop 4: “Developing a Caring Public Service in Helping Parents to Cope With Problems Posed by K-economy Age” 5.30 p.m. Close Session 8.00 P.M. DINNER

Day 3 (Sunday, November 11, 2001)

9.00 - 10.30 am : Plenary 3 : “The Role of NGOs and the Private Sector in Strengthening the Family Unit in the K-economy Age “ 10.30 a.m. Morning Refreshments 10.15 - 11.45 am (two workshops running concurrently) Workshop Five: “The Role of NGOs in Helping the Family to Adjust to Changes in the K-Economy Age” Workshop Six: “Mental Health in the K-economy Age: Effective Coping Strategies” 11.45 a.m. Tea break 12.00 noon Final Concluding Session and Rounding Up by YAD Datin Prof. Dr Jamilah Ariffin 12.20 p.m. Closing Remarks by YB Puan Halimah binti Saddique 12.45 p.m. Lunch and End of Conference 3.00 p.m. APFAM (Malaysia) 1st Annual General Meeting 5.00 pm Tea/Refreshments

Registration:
The Seminar package for the two-day Conference is RM300.00. Payment is through cheque (made payable to APFAM MALAYSIA) c/o Secretariat, APFAM Malaysia, c/o Institute Sultan Iskandar,

Posted on: Thu, 15 August 2002