IMU University co-organised the Child Advocacy Conference 2025 held in Kota Kinabalu from 20-21 June 2025.
The objectives of this conference were to:
Increase Awareness:
Highlight the needs and challenges in providing equitable access to healthcare and education in the promotion of the well-being of vulnerable children,
Strengthen Collaboration:
Provide a platform for sharing ideas and networking of individuals and organizations, both governmental and NGO’s, involved in the care of children.
Empower Stakeholders:
Provide participants with knowledge and skills to be effective advocates for children.
Promote Policy and Legislative Change:
Discuss and advocate for policies that enhance child welfare, protection against abuse and exploitation, and ensure equal opportunities/care for vulnerable children.
This Conference was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA), in partnership with IMU University, as well as the Sabah Medical Association (SAMA), Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sabah (JKNS) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
A/Prof Datuk Dr Soo Thian Lian served as the Organising Chairperson, with A/Prof Dr Erwin Khoo representing IMU.
Our Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof Sharifah Sulaiha Syed Aznal, and our Dean for Community Engagement, Prof Khoo Suan Phaik, also played an active role by attending the conference and delivering insightful, engaging talks.
The conference was officiated by YB Dato Dr Hajah Nancy Shukri, the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development who was represented by the Director General of the Ministry (LPPKN).
A total of 251 delegates attended the conference, comprising staff from the hospitals and clinics in Sabah, and a large participation of the medical and nursing students in Sabah as well as members of the public. The Sabah Social Services Council sponsored a significant number of active NGOs workers.
Sabah was selected as the venue for this conference as, while these issues are present nationwide, the state faces distinct challenges stemming from its unique geographical and socio-political landscape. In addition, Sabah has a strong tradition of impactful voluntary work driven by dedicated NGOs.
The talks covered a comprehensive range of important groups of vulnerable children, such as stateless children, rural poor, indigenous populations and children with special needs. The speakers spoke passionately and engaged the audience, often with emotional and moving testimonies.
An interactive workshop conducted by Dato’ Dr Amar Singh HSS shared insightful experience and empowered the delegates to be effective advocates.
A key outcome of the conference was the Kinabalu Declaration—a call to action urging relevant bodies and authorities to enhance equity for vulnerable children and families.
Feedback from the delegates were overwhelmingly positive with many expressing that the interactive nature of the conference and the opportunities to share and network with a like-minded volunteer community as the main aspects that they appreciated.
Ultimately this conference succeeded in its primary aim of advocating for advocacy!
Written by A/Prof Datuk Dr Soo Thian Lian, Organising Chairman CAC2025, IMU Cares Clinical Campus Coordinator
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