At Sunway University, the Local Action for Global Goals 2024 festival highlighted innovation, inspiration, and global collaboration. This three-day event drew more than 25,000 attendees, including corporate leaders, non-governmental organizations, influencers, schoolchildren, and various societal groups, all united in their support for the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event celebrated the 9th anniversary of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the university's Campus With A Conscience initiative, highlighting Sunway University’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to drive meaningful change. The festival brought together a wide array of participants, including regional leaders from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and ambassadors from more than 12 countries.
The event featured daily flag parades, performances, workshops, and a sustainable marketplace, with corporate displays from brands like HP, Decathlon, Uniqlo, Blueshark, and more. One of the event’s highlights was a sustainable fashion show by Sunway College, in collaboration with Stylo Fashion Design Technology Hub, which celebrated eco-friendly fashion.
“This event is a testament to the power of collective action”, said Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education. “By coming together, we are not only raising awareness of pressing global issues but also fostering a culture of sustainability within our community. It is about inspiring real change and ensuring that our efforts today will lead to a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come”.
A highlight of the festival was the Garden of Hope, a collaboration between UNICEF Malaysia and BloomThis. This initiative encouraged community members to buy and plant flower seeds, with all proceeds going to support underprivileged children through UNICEF Malaysia. Additionally, Advanced Food Technologies sponsored a vending machine for seed sales, introducing an innovative element to the initiative.
The event also featured the launch of the EU Pavilion, a partnership between Sunway University and the European Union. This pavilion included an immersive Experiential Room, allowing visitors to delve into the history of the EU while envisioning a sustainable future. In a notable effort towards eco-friendliness, the festival organized an e-waste collection on campus. Since the initiative started, more than 37,000 kg of electronic waste has been gathered, demonstrating the university’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Schoolchildren took part in an interactive Be A SDG Scout trail, where they learned about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while exploring the campus. This trail aimed to instill sustainable values in younger generations, ensuring the legacy of environmental action endures. Local Action for Global Goals 2024 provided not only education on sustainability but also a platform for active engagement and collaboration. Representatives from participating companies commended the festival for its significant impact.
Kintry, another participating company, added, “Our experience at the event has been excellent. It was inspiring to see students and staff embracing the Zero Plastic Hour campaign to eliminate single-use plastics”. As the festival wrapped up, Sunway University reaffirmed its dedication to being a leader in sustainable education and action. Its partnerships with global organizations and brands reinforced its role in Malaysia's ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
