ONCE AGAIN, MALAYSIA TO HOST FIRST LADIES SUMMIT IN 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will again host the second First
Ladies Summit in 2012, the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor,
said Wednesday.

"I have discussed with the women, family and community development ministry
and the officers concerned, and we have agreed to hold the summit in 2012," she
said at a press conference after the closing of the inaugural First Ladies
Summit 2010 here Wednesday.

She said the summit would be held every two years to discuss more on the
well-being of children in shaping them towards becoming a good leader.

The First Ladies Summit 2010, initiated and hosted by Rosmah, focuses on
ways in which families, communities and governments could work together to
uncover the potential in every child.

Fifteen first ladies attended the summit themed, 'A Child Today, a
Leader Tomorrow'

"And if other countries would like to have it, we are quite happy to give
the responsibility to them but initially, we like to do it because we have to
ensure that this summit will move and go on smoothly and succesfully," said
Rosmah.

She said she would like to see the first ladies from developed countries
attend the next summit to share their experiences.

"I would like to appeal to all first ladies, especially from developed
countries, to attend the 2012 summit to give opinions and advise us (on) what we
should concentrate (on)...avoid, and emphasise," she said.

At the same time, Rosmah also said that developed countries too, were also
facing the same problem on social issues, such as concerning children.

"The children are not being guided, some of them refuse to respect the
elders, they get into fights and all kind of social problems," she added.

She pointed out that the reason behind the problems were caused by parents
who were busy with their professions.

"They are more concerned on their work, rather than taking care, guiding and
listening to their children's problems. These are the major problems from
developed countries," she said.

Rosmah urged the media to disseminate information that Malaysia could hold
such an important summit smoothly and successfully, giving importance to the
development and well-being of children, all over the world.

She also hoped that the next summit would have more in-depth discussion
regarding elements on civic consciousness and issues involving children.

Rosmah said, Memetong, the first lady from Kiribati, had also asked to
include the issue of climate change, as an important issue in the declaration.

"They want it in, so that other countries will be aware that there are
islands which are getting smaller and they are afraid that one day they would no
longer have a home," she said.

Asked if Malaysia could implement all those matters related in the
declaration, she said, Malaysia has no problem in implementing all the thoughts
given in the summit as the country have plenty of community projects being
carried out.

"To me, I think we should be able to adopt all these points in declaration
as we have a lot of programes on bonding of families and children," she said.

-- BERNAMA