By Jane Moh
PORT DICKSON – Amidst daily deadlines, constant connectivity and buzzing phones, and the demands of modern life, hitting the pause button just to be still can be a luxury. But it is necessary. Recognising this need, SIGNIS Malaysia gathered its diverse group of members for a short weekend seaside getaway – to simply recharge.
Who am I, and how can I make a difference? These were the questions at the heart of SIGNIS Malaysia’s retreat, where a dynamic group of journalists, multimedia professionals, writers, content creators and academicians gathered to reflect and redefine their roles as communicators in the society.
Facilitated by Amalraj Antonysamy from Initiative for Alternatives, India, and joined by guest speaker Charles Bertille from the Porticus Foundation, the sessions brought valuable information and a fresh perspective on social communications.
A panel discussion titled ‘Beyond Headlines: Issues that Matter’ with three senior journalists from East and West Malaysia shed light on the realities in Malaysia as well as the challenges faced by journalists in the current media landscape. The panel moderated by Jasmine Ju Ju from Young Lives, sparked rich exchange of ideas and also the struggles of the vulnerable communities in Malaysia.
The retreat also provided an open platform for members to propose ideas for future SIGNIS Malaysia initiatives. SIGNIS Malaysia President Karen Arukesamy said, “Every idea is purposeful and actionable especially when we can empower communities and drive positive impact through communication and media.”
“Overall, the weekend was a good break from our busy routines. It was an opportunity to reconnect with purpose, refresh our mission, and reflect on the impact we can make for the society.”
SIGNIS is the World Catholic Association for Communication that brings together lay Catholic and like-minded media practitioners in over 100 countries. For more information visit www.signis.world.
