There is a widely held adage that young men are the nation's hope and young women the nation's pillar. To this effect, the government has established various nation-building programmes and policies to encourage the involvement of women and youth.The fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, discusses "The Role of Women and Youth in National Development" at the tenth Perdana Discourse Series. His speech touches on the importance of involving women in a nation's economy (even that of a Muslim nation), the gender imbalances in universities, the problems of youth, and the challenges faced by today's busy families.Drawing on his own experience, as well as elaborating on the concerns of government, Tun Dr Mahathir delivers a frank and personal take on the subject of women and youth. Perdana Leadership Foundation was chartered in January 2003 as a non-profit organisation, founded with gifts from people who supported the vision of a thriving research and learning institution dedicated to the study of Malaysian leadership and nation-building. It is unique in the sense that it began as an entirely private sector initiative, seed-funded and organised by private sector individuals and corporations. Most of the Foundation's present trustees were the early benefactors of this Foundation.The Foundation's physical home in Precinct 8, Putrajaya, was completed in October 2003. The stately building now houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium as well as a multi-purpose hall in addition to the office of the Foundation's Honorary President, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.A tax-exempt, non-profit organisation, the Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia's Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership
