From screening involving hundreds of countries to Moscow, Rosni wins Leader of Public Diplomacy award

PETALING JAYA: The journey of Umno Wanita Information Chief Datuk Rosni Zahari to Moscow began with a selection process involving participants from hundreds of countries before she was shortlisted among representatives from 30 countries for the final round of the Leader of Public Diplomacy award.

Rosni said after being shortlisted among the 30 countries, she was invited to Moscow to take part in the final selection, with all expenses fully covered by the organiser, World Public Assembly.

She said the trip marked her first visit to Moscow, where she had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel National overlooking the Kremlin and Red Square.

“When I made it to the final round, I felt that simply getting the opportunity to go to Moscow was already a blessing. I told myself I would do my best. If I won, alhamdulillah. If not, I was already grateful to have made it to Moscow.

“When my name was called as the winner of my category, alhamdulillah, I was extremely grateful. Only God knows how I felt at that moment, whether to cry or laugh,” she said in a recent interview.

Rosni said her concerns about safety in Moscow before departing for the city also changed after she found the situation there to be well-controlled and safe.

“What I least expected was how friendly the people there were, and the hospitality was also excellent. My initial impression that they might be rough or unfriendly turned out to be completely wrong.

“They treated us very well,” she said.

According to Rosni, the achievement was not the result of her efforts alone, but was closely linked to her team’s work in developing the BOLD – Building Opportunities Through Leadership and Digital Entrepreneurship Skill – programme for Form Six students.

She said the idea came about after she observed that there were various programmes for students, youths and women, while Form Six students appeared to have an area that could still be further strengthened.

“I found that there were programmes for students, youths and women, but Form Six students seemed to be an overlooked group.

“So, together with my team, we developed the BOLD programme to expose them to communication, leadership and digital entrepreneurship,” she said.

Rosni said the programme was subsequently taken on a roadshow to schools and received an encouraging response from students who showed strong interest in learning new skills.

She said the students were also taught about digital entrepreneurship, including how to become affiliate entrepreneurs without requiring any initial capital.

“We want them to become good communicators, develop leadership skills and, after completing STPM, while waiting for their results, they can venture into digital entrepreneurship.

“We teach them how to become affiliate entrepreneurs without having to put up any capital,” she said.

Rosni said the recognition she received in Moscow also gave her an opportunity to bring the issue of women’s empowerment in Malaysia to the international stage, including through a presentation on Women Empowerment in Politics in Malaysia.

She said it was time for party leaders at both state and federal levels to provide greater opportunities for women based on their contributions and work.

“Don’t assume that giving women seats will result in defeat. I think that is a very pessimistic and orthodox view that is no longer relevant.

“If we look at their work and contributions, women are among those who are always at the forefront,” she said.