KUCHING: The International Counseling Association Malaysia (PERKAMA) has always been ready to work with other institutions or associations to advance the field of counselling in the country.
Perkama president Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Hussin said with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) accepting the Malaysian invitation to establish the Asean Counseling Network (ASCON), it will help with the goal of cementing closer ties and collaboration among counseling and mental health practitioners in the region.
“PERKAMA anticipates that issues of psychological wellbeing will be on the rise in the coming years and our united efforts will be very important in facing this challenge.
“I am glad to announce that the first steps were taken earlier today at a meeting of representatives from the counseling associations from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, as well as Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
“This declaration of the formation of ASCON in Kuching will mark the next level of collaboration and solidarity in ASEAN counseling.”
Abdul Halim said this in his welcoming speech during the International Counseling Convention (ICC) 2022 Gala Dinner held at a hotel here yesterday.
At the convention, some 525 presenters and participants participated which consisted of practicing counselors, teachers, administrators, health workers and helpers from various countries and settings.
Themed ‘Standing Alone Together: Managing the Paradox’, the convention saw the collaboration between four organisations namely Perkama,International Association for Counselling (IAC), the Sarawak government and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the gala dinner. Among those present were State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki; Unimas Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kadim Suaidi and President of IAC Prof Dr William Borgen.
