Chulalongkorn University  Website: https://apru-sdg4gc.chula.ac.th/ Global citizenship is central to addressing today’s systemic and cross-border challenges. This program develops students’ capacity for ethical leadership, intercultural fluency, and collaborative problem-solving—linking local insights to global action through education, dialogue, and innovation grounded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (SDG4GC) Program 2025 concluded on August 29 with a dynamic final pitching competition, marking the end of a transformative three-month journey that began on June 2. Conducted in a hybrid format, the program brought together 78 students from 17 universities across 19 economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted jointly by Chulalongkorn University and Universiti Malaya, in collaboration with the United Nations, this year’s program centered around the theme “Diversity and Inclusivity – Actions for Sustainability.” Students, grouped in 10 teams with a mentor each, engaged in 13 online lectures and an immersion onsite program from July 19 to 28, held at either in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, where they visited local community leaders and facilities, cultural institutions, recycling centers, sustainable farms, and NGOs addressing various aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The pitching competition on August 29 showcased the student teams presenting innovative social projects aligned with the SDGs. The winning team, Team 1, impressed judges with their proposal “CareVend” — a reversible vending machine that accepts recyclable plastic waste in exchange for menstrual products. The project not only promotes environmental sustainability but also addresses menstrual equity for low-income women in semi-urban areas. The winning team comprised Thayananth A/L Kumaresan (Universiti Malaya), Liu Quangao (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Kanchanabhadra Sai-Sook (Chulalongkorn University), Ananya Varshney (Nanyang Technological University), Han Xiao (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), and Zhi Ying Tan (National University of Singapore), and had the mentorship of Dr. Jaime Jayapalan (Universiti Malaya). “This program was a well-structured and enriching journey, beginning with foundational lectures and culminating in the shared experience of practical immersion. I found the experience deeply rewarding. It sharpened my skills in teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving, while reaffirming the importance of collaboration in regional challenges.” said Zhi Ying Tan. As a reward, the winning team will participate in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2026, organized by UN ESCAP, which will be held from February 24 to 27, 2026. The SDG4GC program, since its launch in 2023, is known for its hands-on, intercultural approach, drawing on multiple disciplines—social, intellectual, emotional, and economic—to foster global citizenship. This year, students also participated in workshops on digital transformation and inclusive development at the UN Conference Center, convened by Chulalongkorn University, UN ESCAP, UNDP, and Microsoft. Dr. Palanee Ammaranond, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, praised the participants for their empathy and commitment, stating, “Throughout this journey, you have inspired one another and discovered that knowledge and solutions are co-created by all members of society—united by empathy and a commitment to building a more inclusive world.” Dr. Yvonne Lim, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, added: “Over the past three months, this program has brought together passionate young minds, experienced mentors, and committed institutions from across the Asia-Pacific region. United by a shared purpose, they have come together to understand, reflect upon, and take action on the urgent challenges posed by the Sustainable Development Goals.” Through a hybrid format that included both online and on-site components, APRU SDG4GC 2025 empowered the next generation of leaders to address global challenges with creativity, compassion, and collaboration.

(Editor’s notes: this article was published by Chulalongkorn University on July 22, 2025 with the original title: Leadership Forum with Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand’s 27th Prime Minister “Global Citizenship for Peace through Diversity & Inclusivity”. The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship program 2025 took take place at both Chulalongkorn University and Universiti Malaya.) To kick off the Thailand onsite program of the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship program 2025, Chulalongkorn University organized the Leadership Forum entitled “Global Citizenship for Peace through Diversity & Inclusivity” on July 21st, 2025, at the Social Innovation Hub. The participants were welcomed by President Wilert Puriwat, D.Phil. alongside with Associate Professor Dr. Palanee Ammaranond, Vice President. The Forum was honored to have Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand, as the keynote speaker who emphasized the vital position of multilateralism and a transformative role of youths in redefining peace in today’s complex global landscape.   The panel session that followed convened with veteran experts from diverse yet deeply interconnected fields to discuss various perspectives and pathways in the promotion of peace, drawing from the dynamic experiences of Thailand and Southeast Asia in particular. These included experiences of policy engagement, historical analysis, peoples’ movement, peace mediation strategies emphasizing multilateralism through diplomacy, regional dialogue, mediation, and awareness building through multi-stakeholder collaboration—all of which aimed at empowering youths to prepare them for their leadership toward a sustainable and resilient world.  Panelists:   Mr. Boonthan T. Verawongse, Secretary General, The Human Rights and Development Foundation; Advisor, The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT)  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wasana Wongsurawat, Head of the History Department, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University  Ms. Pianporn Deetes, Southeast Asia Program Regional Campaigns Director, International Rivers—People, Water, Life  Moderator:  Dr. Eakpant Pindavanija, Social Research Institute (Peace and Conflict Studies), Chulalongkorn University  Convener: Ms. Michiko Yoshida, Director, Global Networking and Engagement Division, Office of International Affairs and Global Network Organized by: Office of International Affairs and Global Network in collaboration with the World People Peace Working Group, Thailand. 🌐 Read more: https://www.inter.chula.ac.th/news/24128/  

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.

The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) recently concluded its dynamic one-week onsite programs which proved to be much more than an academic exercise. Hosted concurrently in late July in Bangkok by Chulalongkorn University (lead university) and in Kuala Lumpur by Universiti Malaya (co-lead university), the onsite program brought together nearly 40 lead mentors, speakers, and experts with 37 students from 13 APRU member universities. Onsite program participants in Bangkok, Thailand   APRU SDG4GC is an intercultural, transdisciplinary, and interactive initiative aimed at nurturing global citizenship among students from 60 universities across 20 economies along the Pacific Rim. By delving into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing global challenges, and co-creating solutions, the program fosters a sense of shared responsibility and action among participants. Reflecting on the impact of the program, Michiko Yoshida, Director of the Global Networking and Engagement Division at Chulalongkorn University, remarked, “Creating this program has been quite a journey for all of us, giving us a chance to reflect on ourselves and the urgency of the challenges we all face today, and what each of us can do. We take this job very seriously, given that you will be our change-makers.” Through a series of workshops, seminars, cultural activities, and community site visits, participants immersed themselves in the ethos of the SDGs, with a special emphasis on ‘Shaping the Future of Health & Wellbeing’. Raine Leung, a student from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared her experience from the onsite program in Kuala Lumpur, “This week, we’ve engaged deeply into the Sustainable Development Goals. We’ve learned to address global well-being challenges not only with intellectual rigor but with empathy.” And she added “Experiencing the Malaysian dance, the traditional sarong, and the wedding ceremony during the Cultural Village Tour, have all been good ways to immerse ourselves in Malaysia’s diverse culture”. Onsite program participants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   In Bangkok, the visit to the United Nations Headquarters was one of the standout moments for participants, who had the opportunity to explore the premises and take unique photos. They were also privileged to attend in person the hybrid seminars on energy transition by Ruhimat Soerakoesoemah, the Head of ESCAP’s Subregional Office for Southeast Asia, and youth empowerment by Savinda Ranathunga, the Regional Youth Project Manager of UNDP. Following the onsite experience, students returned to their universities and continued working on the social innovation projects they had been developing throughout the program. On 30 August (HKT) the SDG4GC “Pitching Competition” took place with students showcasing the projects developed under the guidance of their expert lead mentors. Panel of UN and Expert judges   After great presentations, the panel of UN and other expert judges awarded Team 6, formed by Ms. Natamol Thitithanida, Chulalongkorn University, Ms. Siti Sarah Zulaikha Binti Zahari, Universiti Malaya, Ms. Ningjie Sun, Nanjing University, and Ms. Dzihni Nadhifa, Kyushu University and led by Dr. Terence Yuen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the 1st place for their innovative App “One Health Coop” which seeks to bring together young members from the community with elderlies that may need assistance. If you would like to learn more about the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) visit the program website here.