The International Think Big Summit is back with another life-changing experience!

Why Bother?

The COVID-19 pandemic may be foremost on all our minds right now, but there is perhaps a greater hidden pandemic that is waiting to erupt. ?

The pandemic of biases, discriminations and inequalities. ?☠️

During this pandemic alone, we have observed a rise in systemic discrimination against other races and ethnicities, genderinequalities, erosion of democratic ideals and power abuses of the authorities, conflicts between religion and science, and most common of all, the declination of mental health in the population. Where has contemporary society gone wrong? ?

At our International Think Big Summit 2021, themed “Breaking the Silence: Of Taboos and Pantang Larangs”, we will seek to address these issues and spark unfettered conversations about taboos, topics that often go unspoken or unheard of in our community. ⛔️

We will rethink societal and cultural norms, re-examine governmental and legal practices, revisit the seemingly unchallengeable beliefs and cognitive biases, and reconstruct justice, equality and rationality in the process of seeking for greater truths. ?

? Event Details ?

? Summit Date & Time : October 10, 2021 (Sunday), 9am – 6pm, GMT+8

? Pre-Summit Date & Time: October 3, 2021 (Sunday), 10am – 2pm GMT + 8

? Format: Virtual (REMO)

Topics-at-a-glance

? Break the Silence by Breaking the Silencer

Speaker: Professor Syed Farid Alatas, world-renowned sociologist

To kick off unfettered conversations on taboos, we will first investigate the origin of these prohibited and restrained topics of discussion. We are willing to go off the rails and unleash the much needed conversations on taboos, but first, let us explore why they exist and how we should deal with them in contemporary society.

? Honestly, why are Malaysians racists?

Speaker: Professor Naomi Zack, world-renowned race philosopher

Malaysia is a diverse nation, but this does not hide the fact that systemic racism and racial discriminations exist across all layers and sectors of the community. This talk zooms in on the biology and meaning of race, getting you to rethink your deeply rooted beliefs about race and racial stereotypes, and how we want our society to be, moving forward.

? Can Government and Opposition (Ever) See Eye-to-eye?

Speakers: Shahril Hamdan, UMNO information chief, and Lim Yi Wei, Selangor state assemblyman for Kampung Tunku

The COVID-19 pandemic is like a magnifying glass that brought the government’s inadequacies into sharp focus. After years of resource misuse, contradicting policy responses, it is vital for us to relook into the role of the state, how well we have upheld the tenements of democracy, and how the needs of Malaysians of all walks of life can be properly represented and addressed.

? Religion and Science: Friends or Foes

Speakers: Professor Emeritus Dato Dr Osman Bakar, Islamic philosopher / Philosopher of Science, Islamic philosopher, and more to be revealed

Can religion and science see eye-to-eye? Most people either view scientists favourably and shun away religious zealots, or believe strongly in faith and ignore their scientific counterparts. However, we too often overlook the validity and specific nuances that each of these differing views present us. Join in this live public discourse between science and religion before you make any hasty conclusions.

? Are We All Mad?

Speaker: Professor Dominic Murphy, philosopher of psychiatry

With more people experiencing burnout, depression and suicidal thoughts on a daily basis as a result of never-ending lockdowns, who is to say that your thoughts or feelings are abnormal? What is the difference between sanity and insanity, anyway? Are we all to a certain extent mentally flawed? Join us to find out the quirks of being human!

? Achieving Gender Equality in an anti-LGBTQI Nation?

Speakers: Rozana Isa, Executive Director of Sisters of Islam, Dr. Joseph N Goh, senior lecturer in Gender Studies, Nisha Ayub, Malaysian transgender rights activist, and more to be revealed

Is it possible to achieve gender equality in a seemingly anti-LGBTQI nation? Does the category of gender do more harm than good? If good, should we strive for a genderless society? Put on your thinking cap as we investigate gender-related questions that concern the lives of everyday Malaysians.

? Pre-summit: Stop Blushing! Being Sex Positive in Conservative Malaysia

Speaker: Jasmine King, Malaysia sex positive advocate

Despite living in a time where explicit shows regularly top Netflix charts, there is still a reluctance to talk about SEX. In this session we aim to have a frank discussion about what it takes and means to be sexually liberated in the 21st century. From sexual empowerment, and the philosophy of consent to breaking down prejudices and stereotypes, it’s the real ‘bird and the bees’ talk we need to be having right now!

*Pre-summit will further include networking sessions and mini talks and workshops on the topics that are “Too Hot to Handle”.

? Pre-summit: Tofu is Better than Ayam Rendang – Change My Mind!

Speaker: Yi-Yang Chua, lead organizer at Effective Altruism Malaysia

“Vegans care only about animals!”, “Humans must eat meat!”, “Vegan food is boring!” How many of these bumper sticker mantras hold water? Why does it seem wrong to consume monkey meat but not chicken? Can animals really experience suffering? Join us as we take a deep dive into food taboos and animal welfare, debunk myths, and explore what it means to be a wise moral agent in the 21st century.

What Do I Gain?

✨ Discover a multi-perspectival take on often controversial issuesand topics relevant to contemporary society,

✨ Be exposed to novel ways to challenge preconceived notions, and proactive steps to create real change in your life,

✨ Connect and network with like-minded people, leading thought leaders and opinion makers around the world,

✨ Upgrade your critical thinking skills and push the creative limits of your brain with a full-day of mind-stimulating events,

✨ Get answers to questions you have always wished to ask but never dared to before now!

Join us on this journey off the beaten track if you dare, to break the boundaries of your thoughts and stop these wounds in society from festering. ⚠️

#BreaktheSilence, Break the Stigma! ?

? For more information and the full agenda, visit: https://www.myphilsoc.com/index.php/itbs-2021/

For quick and convenient updates of the event, follow our social media pages:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

✅ E-certificates will be provided.

*Note: A PayPal account is NOT required to register for the event.

Register Now