Merdeka is more than a date celebrated every year or a symbol of freedom inherited from generations before us. More than that, independence gives every individual the space to think, learn, make meaningful choices and shape the direction of their lives through knowledge and experience.
This spirit was brought to the forefront through Merdeka Through ILMU: Advancing Malaysia Together, as Yayasan Hasanah celebrated the 50th edition of its knowledge-sharing series, ILMU Hasanah, on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 at Federal Hall 1, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur.
In conjunction with National Month, ILMU Hasanah #50, themed “50 Conversations, Stories of Hope”, brought together social change leaders, civil society partners and participants from diverse backgrounds to share experiences, perspectives and learnings from working alongside communities across Malaysia.
This special edition celebrates the belief that knowledge is not limited to classrooms or academic qualifications. Knowledge is also shaped by people, communities, lived experiences and wisdom shared across generations — and can serve as a foundation for helping communities make better choices, strengthen resilience and create meaningful change.
Leadership and Perspectives Advancing Malaysia Together
The special session was further enriched by the presence and leadership of Puan Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Trustee and Managing Director, Yayasan Hasanah, who emphasised the importance of knowledge in building resilient and progressive
communities.
Also in attendance was Caroline Russell, Trustee, Yayasan Hasanah.
The presence of both leaders reinforces the importance of knowledgesharing, collaboration and open conversations in understanding the realities faced by communities and identifying more meaningful approaches towards long-term social impact.
Six Voices, 50 Conversations, Stories of Hope
The 50th edition brought together six speakers from diverse fields and community-focused organisations, each bringing their own experiences and perspectives on how knowledge can be translated into meaningful action.
The speakers included:
Imelda George
Senior Manager, Projects, Good Shepherd Services (GSS)
Ruth Yap
Founder, Zero Waste Sabah
Sarinah Sa’ud
Founder, Lambo Sari
Rahman Muda
Project Manager, Kromium Digital
Dr. Sareena Che Omar
Chief Executive Officer, PNB Research Institute
Sarina Mokhtar
Founder & Director, Sunshine Dialogue
Drawing from their respective experiences, the speakers shared how the process of listening, learning and adapting alongside communities has shaped their approaches and contributed to more meaningful and lasting change.
The conversations also touched on accountability and participation, resilience, systems thinking and sustainable change, highlighting that solutions become stronger when they are shaped by the realities, aspirations and experiences of the communities involved.The stories shared also demonstrated that meaningful learning does not necessarily take place within formal spaces. It can also emerge through conversations, collaboration, challenges and the lived experiences of communities on the ground.
From Conversations to Connections and Action
The programme extended beyond the main knowledge-sharing sessions, providing participants with opportunities to connect with Yayasan Hasanah’s civil society partners through the Partner Marketplace.
The Marketplace provided a space for participants to learn more about the work carried out by partner organisations, exchange perspectives and engage directly with those working alongside communities across various fields and impact sectors.
Participants also had the opportunity to continue networking, enjoy refreshments and build new connections until 4.00pm, creating further opportunities for the exchange of ideas and potential collaborations in the future.As part of the programme, a Grant Clinic was also held from 2.00pm to 4.00pm, providing participants with an opportunity to learn more about Yayasan Hasanah’s grant opportunities, eligibility criteria and application process.
The session provided civil society organisations, social enterprises, community groups and other stakeholders with an opportunity to seek clarification directly from the Yayasan Hasanah team and gain a clearer understanding of opportunities to explore potential partnerships and support.
The combination of the Partner Marketplace and Grant Clinic positioned ILMU Hasanah #50 as more than a space for knowledge-sharing. It also served as a platform for participants to learn, connect, explore opportunities and translate conversations into action.
50 Conversations, Stories of Hope
In celebrating National Month, ILMU Hasanah #50 serves as a reflection on what Merdeka means today. It is not simply the freedom to choose, but also the freedom to learn, think critically, understand different perspectives and make informed choices.
