Led by Chulalongkorn University with Universiti Malaya as co-lead, the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (SDG4GC) 2025 program has officially launched on June 2nd, bringing together 78 students from 19 universities across 12 economies. This program is designed to cultivate global citizenship by deepening the understanding of global issues and promoting global literacy, primarily through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the overarching theme “Diversity and Inclusivity: Actions for Sustainability,” the program will explore the diverse nature of sustainability, encompassing its social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, mental, physical, and economic dimensions. By integrating diverse disciplines and practices, APRU SDG4GC seeks to empower students to become transformative leaders in building resilient global communities.

The opening ceremony featured welcome messages from Professor Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University; Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya; and Dr. Michaela Friberg-Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand. Their addresses centered on a common message: the urgency of embedding diversity and inclusivity as fundamental values in the pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable world, especially through the empowerment of youth, who are not only shaping the present but also defining the future.

“To all the students here today, use your creativity, your leadership, and your voices. Let this program be a launchpad not just for learning, but for impact.”
– Michaela Friberg-Storey

From left to right: Professor Wilert Puriwat, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Dr. Michaela Friberg-Storey

Reflecting on the program’s potential, Michiko Yoshida, Director of the Global Networking and Engagement Division Office at Chulalongkorn University, emphasized the importance of shifting away from short-term national interests toward long-term global values: “While embracing change, we seek to nurture future leaders to refocus our attention and commitment to the values of justice, mutual well-being, and dignity for all. This program aspires to support the personal transformation of students, to cultivate a sense of purpose, so they may be a critical force in fostering a collective consciousness toward more just and sustainable futures.”

A highlight of the opening program was the keynote panel session: “Re-shaping our Futures” moderated by Phinith Chanthalangsy from the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok. The panel brought together academic leaders on the topic, including Professor Adrian Little from the University of Melbourne; Professor Leonora C. Angeles from the University of British Columbia; and Professor Bhanubhatra ‘Kaan’ Jittiang, Thailand Representative in the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights. The panelists emphasized the importance of rethinking the SDGs through a more human-centered and context-sensitive lens. The panel called for participants to move beyond metrics and theory, instead emphasizing social service, lived experiences, understanding local communities, and implementing adaptable local solutions in order to achieve a more impactful change.

The opening session concluded with the workshop “Partnership for SDGs” led by Marisa Panyachiva, Partnership and Development Finance Officer from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand. She explored the UN’s role and the current trajectory of the SDGs, stressing the need for collaborative, cross-sector approaches. Using real-world case studies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and air pollution, Marisa highlighted how this systematic collaboration between private and public actors enables more efficient sharing of resources, expertise, and knowledge, which is essential for achieving sustainable development.

The APRU SDG4GC 2025 program embraces a dynamic hybrid format, running from June 2 to August 29, 2025. This extended period includes a crucial in-person component: the onsite program, which will take place between July 19 and July 27, 2025, in Bangkok (Chulalongkorn University) and Kuala Lumpur (Universiti Malaya). This comprehensive schedule includes 13 online workshops conducted before the onsite component and three more afterward. Furthermore, this blend of online and physical engagement ensures students benefit from both flexible learning and immersive, real-world experiences, culminating in a social innovation pitching competition on August 29; the winning team will be awarded an opportunity to join an event or a training organized by UN and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

If you would like to learn more about the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) visit the program website here.