Reflections from The Hasanah Forum 2025: A Gathering of Ideas, Culture, and Collaboration
We were honoured to attend The Hasanah Forum (THF) 2025, held on 14–15 August 2025 at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre. The forum brought together an inspiring mix of philanthropic leaders, social innovators, policymakers, and cultural practitioners from across Malaysia and beyond.
A Platform for “Philanthropy That Listens”
This year’s theme — Philanthropy That Listens: Bridging Intent with Intervention — challenged participants to move beyond good intentions, embrace deep listening, and co-create solutions with communities. The agenda spanned diverse topics, including:
Reimagining Unconventional Leadership
Bold Collaborations for Sustainable Change
Social Finance and New Funding Pathways
Measuring Impact with Integrity
Participatory Development & Trust Building
Notable speakers included Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar and Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, alongside many other distinguished voices in Malaysia’s philanthropic and social impact ecosystem.
Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar
Experience Beyond the Sessions
Beyond the thought-provoking panel discussions, THF 2025 offered an array of interactive spaces:
Impact Marketplace – showcasing social enterprises, cultural artisans, and purpose-driven initiatives.
Networking Pods & Speed Networking – creating opportunities for participants to connect, share ideas, and explore future collaborations.
Cultural Showcases – featuring Malaysian heritage crafts such as Kelingkan embroidery and Telepuk gold-stamped motifs, celebrating the intersection of culture and community impact.
Noryn Aziz
Why It Matters
Attending the forum allowed us to witness firsthand the power of a national platform dedicated to cross-sector collaboration. The blend of policy discussions, cultural immersion, and peer networking reinforced the importance of listening, trust, and adaptability in driving meaningful, lasting change.
We thank Yayasan Hasanah for the opportunity to be part of this significant gathering, and we look forward to carrying forward the insights and connections gained into our own work for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
