The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia together with UCSI University successfully organised the Global Goals Summit at Le Quadri Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 27 July, 2019.  The Global Goals Summit aimed to promote insight on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to seek collaboration with different stakeholders such as corporate entities, universities, non-profit organisations, etc.  

JCI national president, Andy Lau delivering his welcome speech.

The Global Goals Summit was attended by 225 participants including JCI representatives from the north, south and west coast of Malaysia, representatives from AIA Takaful Bhd, AB Global Sdn Bhd, Great Eastern, TKA Group, Esquel Malaysia Sdn Bhd, OSK Property Bhd and representatives from non-profit organisations such as Majlis Belia Malaysia, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia as well as students and refugees from Renlogy People Academy, Ruth Education Centre, Ajar Ajar Malaysia, El-Shaddai as well as UCSI students.

The summit commenced with JCI Malaysia national president, Andy Lau’s opening speech welcoming all JCI members, distinguished guests and participants. He expressed the eagerness of JCI Malaysia to align itself with the UN SDGs by promoting community events and for its members to be active citizens creating positive change in the local community, hence inspiring other people to do likewise.

The organising chairperson, also the JCI Malaysia National Global Goals commission director, Joyline Chai highlighted in her speech that through the summit, JCI Malaysia aimed to become an agent in mentoring the urban youth on the SDGs agenda.  

Deputy resident representative, UNDP Niels Knudsen explaining the UN SDGs and related initiatives.

Meanwhile, UCSI Group Corporate Affairs Vice-President, Leong Sat Sing in his speech mentioned that the collaboration between JCI Malaysia and UCSI University had indeed opened up an opportunity for UCSI students and other participants to engage with the stakeholders in the sustainable development goals and hoped that the summit would become an avenue for constructive discussion that eventually will lead to effective action.

After that, UNDP deputy resident representative Niels Knudsen delivered his keynote speech. He emphasised the UN’s commitment in making sure that the SDGs initiatives will continue to spread awareness and to be promoted globally. He also highlighted that all of the SDGs can only be fulfilled with the help and support of the government, the private sector, non-profit organisations, the public, etc.

The summit was officially launched as all distinguished guests went on stage and officiated the event.  Academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman, member of UCSI University Council, then gave his special presentation on “Malaysia Beyond 2020 – UN SDG 16 and the Critical Harmony Factor”.

Academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman receiving a token of appreciation from the organising chairperson, Joyline Chai.

He focused on the peace and justice goal by emphasising “HPPS” which represents harmonious, prosperous, progressive and sustainable. Tan Sri Dr Omar expressed that as a country, Malaysia also has to work on its national aspiration to align with SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. According to him, HPPS can be the common ground for global and national priority in promoting peace and justice.   

Academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Omar later presented a certificate of participation to the peace ambassadors who had participated in the Introduction to Peace and Unity in Diversity training as well as the Youth, Peace and Unity National Camp 2019. A total of 16 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Yemen, Iran and Canada were welcomed to receive the certificate.

Academician Professor Emeritus  Tan Sri Omar also had the honour of launching the Tan Sri Dr Omar Harmony Award during the summit. The award recognises students’ activities that promote cohesion and harmony among the student community, or between the student and the wider community of different racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

A presentation of tokens of appreciation and a group photo with all of the speakers.

The summit proceeded with a speech by Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) Vice-President cum CEO of Global Peace Mission (GPM Malaysia), Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin. His topic entitled “How Peace is Playing a Role in the Modern World” captured the attention of the participants.

An enlightening forum entitled “Engaging for The Betterment of Malaysia Through The UN SDGs (National Partnership Summit)” was held by four invited speakers including Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Professor Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, founder of Ecoat Adrian Peh, co-founder of the “endchildmarriage” movement by the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia, Kellysha Shah and assistant state scout commissioner of Negeri Sembilan, Adha Fikri Mokhtar.

They focused on issues such as marine life and climate change, gender equality, and a better world framework. The discussion was moderated by the organising chairperson, Joyline Chai and was in line with the aim of the summit.  

A group photo with the distinguished guests, speakers, and all the participants.

The summit continued after a lunch break with a workshop led by the JCI secretary general of the central south area, Stanley Goh. All participants were invited to go from booth to booth to observe the displays and projects prepared by UCSI students and JCI members.

The workshop was divided into two sessions; active citizen framework and the global goals workshop where participants engaged and exchanged ideas by relating the JCI framework to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Several activities such as quizzes and exhibitions were held at the booths. The summit ended with tokens of appreciation presented by the organiser to the participants.