Global Guy Talk - Creating Inclusive Allies Among Men

The Embassy of Sweden in collaboration with UTAR Centre for Media and Communication Research (CMCR) and Endometriosis Association of Malaysia (MyEndosis) organised The Global Guy Talk on 23 April 2022 at Sungai Long Campus. Gracing the event was His Excellency Ambassador-Designate of Sweden to Malaysia Dr Joachim Bergström via Zoom and Mr Ola Philbald, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission Economic and Political Affair of Embassy of Sweden.

Seated from left: M. Surita, Dr David Tneh, Ola Philbald and Prof Mohammad Nasir Shafiee with participants

Present at the event were UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Prof Dr Mohammad Nasir Shafiee, UTAR Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, UTAR Centre for Media and Communication Research Chairperson Dr Sharon Wilson, FCI Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Cynthia Lau Pui-Shan, MyEndosis Founder Surita Mogan, students and staff.

The event held an open discussion that discussed the topic “Creating inclusive allies among men”.  The topic sheds light on how men can be allies to women and address inequalities amongst women. Among the themes discussed were gender roles, women’s health taboos and women’s rights.

Prof Goi and H.E. Dr Joachim Bergström delivering their speech

Prof Goi said, “In recent years, as more men come out actively in support of gender equality and oppose male violence against women, there has been increased attention to the positive role of men as partners and allies in building a more gender-responsive and just society. Male researchers have also called for a focus on the well-being of men and boys as a legitimate concern of gender equality work. Men’s active support for gender equality has taken a variety of forms, including advocacy, alliances and campaigns, and educational programmes for young men; in this situation an open discussion and conversation at UTAR,” as he welcomed the participants.

H.E. Dr Joachim expressed his delight and said, “Conversation is why we are here today, especially on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3, 5, 10 and 17. It’s becoming clearer than ever that we need to be more focused on values in governance, politics and diplomacy. By looking at the world today with health crisis, migration flows, environmental crisis and the challenge of democracy we face around the world, it is obvious that fostering values is the right thing to do; human rights and responsibilities, equality, democracy, and the right education. At the core of today’s talk, rest the hope of a more equal and just world. The benefits of a more equal society are many, we can achieve a better quality of life, better financial benefits, better democracy and more sustainable development.”

Prof Nasir shared his thoughts on women’s health issues through some case studies. He said, “In terms of equality, we need to look into economy and finances, education attainment, health and survival and leadership involvement. Only 10 per cent of women are in the leadership role. Being aware is not enough, we need to think of what we can do to move forward.”

The panellists of the forum were FCI lecturers Dr R. Thanaseelan, Muhamad Albarr bin Che Omar, Head of Programme for Master of Communication Beh Chun Chee; FCI students A. Dinishvarkumar, T. Varten, P. Kashveen, and Muhammad Akmal bin Marzuqi. The forum was moderated by FCI lecturer A. Zachary Roland.

The Global Guy Talk first started in the summer of 2016 and it made a huge impact in Sweden. It is an initiative by the Swedish foundation “Make Equal” which is now being spread to the rest of the world by the Swedish Institute. The First #globalguytalk in Malaysia was organised by the Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) of Kampar Campus, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur on 27 November 2021.

The forum

Prof Goi (right) presenting the souvenir to Ola Philbald

Ola Philbald presenting the souvenir to (clockwise from top left) Surita Morgan, Dr David Tneh and Dr Sharon Wilson

Guests touring the poster exhibition

Exhibition Posters