Engagement and Influence

Adapted from modules developed by the Youth Climate Collaborative (YCC) and the Climate Initiative (TCI), the Climate Courage Workshops focuses on a systematic response to the rising rates of eco-anxiety, especially among the youth. The workshops aim to empower youth, creating awareness and understanding the mental health and eco-anxiety paradigm, as well as equipping them with the tools to construct a simple self-  care plan to process and manage negative thoughts, while encouraging greater participation in planetary health civic activities.

PLANET SAVING MEALS – Episode 2: Huat the Duck! 

Planet Saving Meals was launched in collaboration with the Sunway School of Hospitality and Service, Tourism and Management in 2022, to explore plant-based food alternatives and reduction in carbon footprint. The second episode “Huat the Duck!” released on 29 January 2023, on SCPH’s YouTube channel, in preparation for the Chinese New Year, explored Bean Curd as a plant-based alternative to duck. Planet Saving Meals is a series that aims to introduce plant-based alternatives to the public to reduce our individual carbon footprint. It is part of contributing to one of the Centre's main themes: Achieving Sustainable Food Systems. 

PLANET SAVING MEALS – Episode 3: Rendang-tastic Raya  

Planet Saving Meals was launched in collaboration with the Sunway School of Hospitality and Service, Tourism and Management in 2022, to explore plant-based food alternatives and reduction in carbon footprint. The third episode, “Rendang-tastic Raya”, released on 21 April 2023 on SCPH’s YouTube channel, in preparation for Muslims’ celebration of Eid, explored Pucuk Ubi (Tapioca Leaves) as a plant-based alternative to beef and chicken for the “must-have” rendang.  Planet Saving Meals is a series that aims to introduce plant-based alternatives to the public to reduce our individual carbon footprint. It is part of contributing to one of the Centre's main themes: Achieving Sustainable Food Systems. 

The Planetary Health and Nursing workshop was organized by the Centre for the Department of Nursing Sunway University, aimed to familiarize participants with the concept of planetary health, its key principles, and main issues to equip participants, particularly faculty members, with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop courses, conduct research, and engage in advocacy initiatives related to planetary health. The ultimate goal was to empower nurses to contribute to improving collective health and sustainability efforts both within and beyond the healthcare system. During the workshop, three guest speakers delivered lectures on various topics related to planetary health and nursing. The sessions were attended by 28 participants from the Nursing Department and SCPH. In breakout room discussions, participants focused on priority issues in planetary health in Malaysia and identified ways for nurses, particularly those from Sunway Nursing, to contribute to solving these issues. Suggestions included incorporating planetary health in the curriculum, conducting research, engaging in community nursing and education, offering new modules or electives, and organizing activities such as site visits, health talks, and training programs. The participants emphasized the need for public education, identifying key stakeholders, securing funding through grants, and increasing knowledge of environmental issues through continued professional development. 

On February 23, 2023, the second regional convening of the Planetary Health Alliance South and Southeast Asia Hub took place virtually via MS Teams. The event, held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Malaysia time (UTC+8), focused on various key areas. These included discussing existing and planned Planetary Health education initiatives, incorporating under-represented perspectives into the field, conducting research on Planetary Health and climate to inspire collective action, emphasizing the need for capacity-building leadership initiatives among member organizations and respective governments, promoting regular communication among hub members, and strategizing to increase awareness of Planetary Health within the region and globally. 

Continuing the tradition from last year, the Centre celebrated the successful completion of the MPU 3412 Community Service for Planetary Health with students and colleagues from the School of Arts (SoA) and the School of Engineering & Technology (SET). On 17th March 2023, a pledging ceremony was held to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of students who organized and executed community service projects throughout the 2023 MPU programme. The event featured distinguished speakers, including Prof. Bradley Freeman (SoA) and Prof. Denny Ng (SET), who delivered inspiring addresses. Leading the Sunway Planetary Health Pledge was Mr. Anwar Felix, the student planetary health ambassador. This ceremony provided a platform to recognize the students' accomplishments and foster a sense of commitment to the cause of planetary health. By working together, the Centre hopes to continue inspiring and empowering youths to create a positive impact on the world around them. 

On April 7, 2023, the Centre released a short video centered around the theme of "Health for All." The video featured interviews with notable figures on campus, such as Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood (Executive Director of the Centre), Prof Dato’ Elizabeth Lee (CEO of the Sunway Education Group), and Prof Sibrandes Poppema (President of Sunway University). The team also conducted surveys among Sunway lecturers and students, asking their definitions of health, their perspectives on whether health is accessible to all, and their thoughts on Planetary Health. The final video, shared on social media, highlighted the diverse dimensions of health, including mental and financial well-being, and showcased an increasing awareness of the disparities in access faced by different groups of people. 

Held on 13 and 14 May 2023, the Centre hosted and facilitated a workshop series “What Makes A Good MP?” by the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) at Sunway University. The 2-day workshop aimed at educating Malaysian youth about the nation's political system and role of MPs within the federal system of government and how laws and legislation are passed.  The workshop sought to increase political awareness among participants and provided an opportunity to engage national leaders, including discussions on Planetary Health in Malaysia. The workshops also explored the use of AI to monitor and influence MPs' campaign manifestoes. The partnership proposes potential collaboration for a wide-scale Planetary Health-themed public policy competition and advocacy bootcamp. The objectives include educating youth on Malaysia's political structure, their role in democracy, and introducing AI in political monitoring.  

Held on 27 and 28 May 2023, the STAND2 Debate Challenge- a national-level English Debate Competition was organized by SMK Taman Desa 2 in collaboration with WoLCE Group Sdn Bhd. The debate competition aimed to promote critical thinking, persuasive speech, and contextual understanding of global current events among high school students aged 14-18 years. The Sunway Centre for Planetary Health sponsored the challenge and utilized it as a platform to raise awareness about planetary health issues. By setting motions related to planetary health and hosting a workshop, the Centre was able to educate students on these topics and encourage advocacy for change.   

On 29 March 2023 a training of trainers session on climate and health advocacy and communication for health professionals was organized by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA). The training aimed to equip health professionals with the skills and knowledge to become effective advocates for climate solutions and promote the health benefits of addressing climate change. The objectives include building skills in advocacy and communication, encouraging active participation in promoting climate solutions, and increasing awareness of policy formulation and support. The training was intended to empower participants to become climate policy advocates and trusted communicators in their respective fields, enabling them to raise awareness and train others on climate and health communication and advocacy. 

Held on the 13 June 2023, the webinar on "Transforming Healthcare Waste: Sustainable Practices for a Healthy Future," organized in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), aimed to address the growing problem of waste management in the healthcare sector. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that a significant number of healthcare facilities lack proper waste management infrastructure, leading to potential health risks for workers and communities. The webinar presented the challenges faced by healthcare sectors in Southeast Asia in achieving sustainable waste management, showcased success stories of hospitals that have achieved waste sustainability goals, and emphasized the healthcare sector's role in promoting sustainable waste treatment. The virtual webinar was open to healthcare professionals, medical students, and the general public. 

The first of three hiking sessions was held on 22 July 2023 at Taman Tugu and organized for young children between 8–10 years from the Nicol David Organization. 27 children enjoyed the hike aimed at providing a transformative and immersive experience and developing a deeper sense of responsibility towards protecting natural habitats, practicing sustainable behaviours, and becoming young advocates for environmental preservation in their neighbourhood.  

The first Youth Town Hall held on 8 March 2023 via Zoom aimed to gather community members to discuss the importance of planetary health education. The event had approximately 35 participants, including youth, educators, and SCPH staff. The panel of speakers consisted of Prof. Elil Renganathan, Dr. Hannah Ariff, Samuel Isaiah, and Stephen Isaac, who covered topics such as embedding planetary health in education, SCPH's role in planetary health education, addressing planetary health concepts in the education system, and incorporating planetary health into the curriculum. The Q&A session addressed various themes, including political will, youth influence, teacher-student relationships, and the connection between planetary health education and the SDGs. Lessons learned included the consideration of physical settings for future events and the potential for collaboration between SCPH/Sunway and schools. The town hall facilitated meaningful discussions, achieved its objectives, and emphasized the importance of continued youth engagement in addressing community concerns.

The second Youth Town Hall, themed as ‘Protecting Our Green Lungs with Friends of Bukit Kiara’, was held on 29 July 2023 at Bukit Kiara. This town hall aimed to educate the community on the importance of green spaces, such as parks, forests, and gardens, in maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment, to encourage community participation and involvement in such initiatives and to discuss the importance of effective environmental policies and regulations at the local, regional, and national levels. The session was moderated by Firdaus Nisha, while the two speakers on the panel, Leon Koay and Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar, shared their 7-year journey fighting the development plan proposed by the then mayor (Datuk Bandar) of TTDI under the KL Municipal Council (DBKL), how it started, the pitfalls and challenges, and its ultimate success in April 2023. The town hall culminated with a guided walk to Taman Rimba Kiara, with Leon Koay sharing insights about the park, its value in preserving biodiversity and a green space in the township, as well as the housing project built for the local indigenous residents.   

2nd, 3rd and (upcoming) 4th Convening

https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/pha-regional-hubs

The third regional convening of the PHA SSEA Regional Hub aimed to involve local hub members in the preparation for PHAM 2024. Chaired by Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, the meeting had 10 hub members in attendance. The agenda included updates on PHAM 2024, the formation of working groups and side events, and the introduction of four working groups focusing on different aspects of Planetary Health. The meeting also discussed the creation of a Planetary Health Cookbook featuring planet-saving meals and recipes from around the world. The hub members expressed enthusiasm and support for the working groups and collaboration with the Centre on PHAM. The Centre plans to continue engaging with regional hub members and expand the hub's membership.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the 2023 Human Development Report was held on 7 and 8 June 2023, organized in collaboration with UNDP HDR office and UNDP Malaysia, and aimed at addressing governance mismatches in the Anthropocene, a time marked by increasing uncertainties and challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality. The report highlights the need for new approaches to development, as conventional narratives and indicators of progress no longer capture individual life satisfaction and well-being. The consultation seeks to explore gaps in current institutional designs, propose future-proof institutional principles, reimagine governance, and provide regional perspectives on these issues. By fostering cooperation and collective action, the consultation aims to contribute to just and inclusive transformations in the face of interlinked global crises and challenges. 

Held on the 27 June 2023, the Library Exhibition on Planetary Health, "From Evidence to Action: Confronting Reality" organized in collaboration with Tun Hussein Onn Sunway Library, Sunway University, aimed to showcase SCPH's work over the past two years in its priority themes and enabling pillars. It served as a promotional event for the upcoming Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM 2024), which will be held in Southeast Asia for the first time, with Malaysia as the host. The objectives of the exhibition are to promote participation in PHAM 2024, highlight past achievements and ongoing work on planetary health, and foster collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, and youth leaders. 

Previous workshop sessions done with Kate Raworth (in 2022) 

On 7 August 2023, SCPH held a training session on DisasterAWARE Pro Software, organised in partnership with the Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC), University of Hawaii. DisasterAWARE Pro is a comprehensive software platform designed to provide advanced tools and capabilities to improve the quality of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The training was facilitated by Mr. Joel Myhre, Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership Specialist, Pacific Disaster Centre, and the programme aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize the software in order to enhance their disaster management efforts. The training was attended by approximately 60 participants, including representatives from government agencies, humanitarian organizations, academicians and students. 

This monthly initiative focuses on raising three simple yet important questions on planetary health to young people: ‘What does Planetary Health mean to you?’, ‘How does Planetary Health relate to you/your organization?’, and ‘What does your ideal, healthy future look like?’ The participant’s answers are shared via the Centre’s social media platforms. 

This university-wide public speaking competition, held in collaboration with the University's Department of Communication (DoC) aimed to enhance planetary and global health awareness among youth and provided them with a platform for discussion and advocacy. 

Together with Youth Care Malaysia, we organised the myIMPACT ‘Planetary Health Leadership Bootcamp’ in July 2022, with a focus on:

• Introducing the concept of planetary health, its core principles and key issues in the region especially in relation to local communities.
• Enabling the participants to relate, articulate, and apply planetary health perspectives in their policy briefs and pitches.  
• Helping participants to explore and work on solutions covering different areas of interest among the broad planetary health challenges. Mobilising the next generation of planetary health leaders

I pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity, and to the protection of natural systems on which human health depends.  

The health of people, their communities, and the planet will be my first consideration and I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, as well as reverence for the diversity of life on Earth.  

I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good practice, taking into account planetary health values and principles.  

To do no harm, I will respect the autonomy and dignity of all persons in adopting an approach to maintaining and creating health which focuses on prevention of harm to people and planet.  

I will respect and honour the trust that is placed in me and leverage this trust to promote knowledge, values, and behaviours that support the health of humans and the planet.  

I will actively strive to understand the impact that direct, unconscious, and structural bias may have on my patients, communities, and the planet, and for cultural self-awareness in my duty to serve.  

I will advocate for equity and justice by actively addressing environmental, social, and structural determinants of health while protecting the natural systems that underpin a viable planet for future generations

I will acknowledge and respect diverse sources of knowledge and knowing regarding individual, community, and planetary health such as from Indigenous traditional knowledge systems while challenging attempts at spreading disinformation that can undermine planetary health.  

I will share and expand my knowledge for the benefit of society and the planet; I will also actively promote transdisciplinary, inclusive action to achieve individual, community, and planetary health.  

I will attend to my own health, wellbeing, and abilities in order to provide care and serve the community to the highest standards. I will strive to be a role model for my patients and society by embodying planetary health principles in my own life, acknowledging that this requires maintaining the vitality of our common home.  

I will not use my knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; recognising that the human right to health necessitates maintaining planetary health.  

I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honour. By taking this pledge, I am committing to a vision of personal, community, and planetary health that will enable the diversity of life on our planet to thrive now and in the future.