Innovation, inspiration, dedication and entertainment were just some of the key 
factors that brought a city together in a united effort to drive interest and 
action toward the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a 
wonderful display of unity, corporate leaders, non-governmental organisations, 
local school children, special society groups, influencers and over 20,000 
students from all across the Klang Valley gathered at Sunway University, Sunway 
City for a week-long festival of events and activations in support of the 
United Nations 17 SDGs and its worldwide initiative of Local Action for Global 
Goals 2022, celebrated from Monday 19th of September through to Friday 23rd of 
September.

Tengku Zatashah, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood and Professor Sibrandes Poppema 
with Students from SMK Assunta and International Students from Sunway University

This unique festival and the first of its kind in Asia featured talks, 
performances, interactive workshops, corporate displays on sustainability from 
Volvo, Uniqlo, The Body Shop and Huawei, daily flag parades, on-stage 
demonstrations, a sustainable marketplace and a space to connect with leaders, 
changemakers, activists, private sector as well as a live musical performance, 
including a heartwarming rendition by the children from the Spastic Children's 
Association of Selangor and Federal Territory which captured the hearts of 
those who are lucky enough to catch the concert.

A splendid and memorable adaptive fashion show by Dawn Adaptive also ensured 
the occasion was a truly inclusive event at Sunway University.

Joining the excited visitors on campus were a host of international dignitaries 
including HE Dr Joachim Bergström, Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia who 
officially opened the event, HE Sami Leino, Ambassador of Finland to Malaysia 
and Brunei, HE Dr Peter Blomeyer, German Ambassador to Malaysia and Anikó 
Farkas, Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Hungary Ambassador in Malaysia.

Representing the local community was YB Michelle Ng, ADUN Subang Jaya who 
added, "Slowing climate change requires behavioural change - and it is the duty 
of governments to facilitate this for its citizens."

During the event, there was an e-waste collection where staff and students were 
able to environmentally dispose their unwanted electrical items. Since the 
start of the initiative, over 34,000kg electrical waste has been collected.

The noteworthy occasion also received royal approval as Selangor Princess Y.A.M 
Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who delighted crowds with her 
passionate address on the planet. The environment advocate Selangor Princess 
mentioned, "It is truly important, how we treat planet earth, other fellow 
citizens of this planet and every living being here. With the recent climate 
change we have been experiencing, we must be very concerned about the state of 
our planet."

Younger participants enjoyed an interactive "Treasure Our Planet Trail" across 
the campus, learning new 17 SDG facts every step of their journey of 
enlightenment, ensuring the next generation will continue to carry the message 
of influence and action.

Daily on-stage demonstrations included soap making from used cooking oil by 
Pusat Wanita Berdaya, cooking demonstration of edible vegetable scraps by 
Professional Culinaire Association Malaysia and a creative upcycling 
demonstration by Maslisa Zainuddin from Sunway University.

The week-long event was an overwhelming success and a great advert for Malaysia 
in the global world of sustainability. Professor Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive 
Officer of the Sunway Education Group said, "This is our aim with the Local 
Action Global Goals 2022 – to educate and re-educate and also to remind 
everyone that we need to work collectively to bring about sustainable and 
meaningful change."

Whilst President of Sunway University Professor Sibrandes Poppema added he was 
very pleased the event was hosted at Sunway University as the institution works 
tirelessly to merit its growing reputation as A Campus With A Conscience.

The Local Action for Global Goals 2022 emphasised the need for the world to 
work together to deliver the Global Goals by 2030 through a range of special 
events and inspiring activations for all ages and interests. It brought 
together world leaders, policy-makers, decision-makers, business leaders, 
partners, academics, scientists, stakeholders, activists, and advocates from 
around the world to connect, examine solutions, identify a path forward, and 
work collectively in achieving the Global Goals at a critical time.

Malaysia can be rightly proud of its exceptional contribution towards this 
global goal.

#CampusWithAConscience is an underlying principle that embraces everything 
students will experience during their time at Sunway College and Sunway 
University. This is the fundamental spirit at the heart of Sunway Campus Life; 
educating, encouraging, and engaging students in all aspects of a diverse and 
inclusive community to support them in adopting a lifestyle and lifestyle 
habits that truly reflect a society determined to create a better living 
environment for this generation and generations to come. 

Source: Sunway University


Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=430227

   Caption: Tengku Zatashah, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood and Professor Sibrandes 
Poppema with Students from SMK Assunta and International Students from Sunway 
University