The personal commitment and dedication displayed by the Heads of Government who were regulars at the International Dialogue series, did not go unnoticed by the accompanying First Ladies. Not content with staying on the sidelines, they broached the idea of playing more active and responsible roles as early as the Kasane Dialogue in 1997. By the time the Langkawi Dialogue was convened later that same year, a special working lunch exploring social areas of concern was scheduled for the First Ladies and selected female invitees in Langkawi in 1997. In no time this group developed a powerful presence, challenged and crossed gender borders and metamorphosed into the Social Issues Link. The group plays its role by contributing ‘critical' conscience pricking’ inputs to the main agenda of the Smart Partnership Dialogue.