Inter School Public Speaking Competition by Soroptimists International Club

One of our girls participated in the recently held Inter-School Public Speaking Competition organised by the Soroptimists International Club, Penang branch. The theme of the competition was 'Environmental Issues that Need to Be Addressed In Penang'. Her speech, entitled the 'Quandary of Progress', won 2nd place behind the International School of Penang (Uplands). The following are excerpts of her speech.

"In the very beginning, in the ‘uncivilized’ times of mud huts and loincloths, Mother Nature was at her prime. Sneer and snigger as we may at the idea of life in the Dinosaur Age; the fact is, the natives of millennia past had the right idea- the concept of living in tandem with Mother Nature, and being a part of the natural circle of life."

"History and classic literature have shown time and time again how man wreaks havoc on Mother Nature, running amok with the weapon we call progress.  But how, you may ask, is all this relevant to us here in Penang?"

"We are capable of living in harmony with nature if we constantly bear in mind the symbiotic relationship between us and the earth.  Progress is simply the tool of man; to destroy or to preserve, as it were. Progress is not what kills nature; unsustainable progress is."

"The single biggest long-term issue that we have to deal with here in the Pearl of the Orient is sustainable progress"