K Haridas, vice-chairman of IofC Malaysia.Text of the address given by K. Haridas, Vice Chairman, MRA/IofC Malaysia at the opening of the Tools for Change Kuala Lumpur 2010 Conference.

“Change starts with me” is not about blaming our parents and seeing how wrong they have been to me. They tried to do their best in spite of themselves.

‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ said Gandhi. Frank Buchman said: ‘Change must start with oneself.’

Stone, water and air – different levels of faith.

Is there a better option than war and violence? The answer lies in our quest and commitment to peace. Diplomacy has failed us because fundamentally this seems to serve 'interests' and not principles.

Race, religion, colour and language have been exploited to divide human beings. But differences provide us with opportunities to grow, and to love the 'other'.

Compassion has to be infused into the agenda if we want to see a difference in international affairs.