KUCHING: Promoting unity through food education and cultural exchange was the focus of the Diversity Voyage programme, which wrapped up its six-day run here on Friday with a closing ceremony at SJK Chung Hua No. 5.
The initiative, organised by (Global Incubation x Fostering Talents (GiFT) Japan in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent Stampin Branch, also ended on the same day with a workshop.
Malaysian Red Crescent Stampin Branch, in a statement, said a group of 23 students from Toyo University in Japan and 16 from i-CATS University College here collaborated to develop food education tools that emphasised respect, diversity and unity, while over 100 pupils from SJK Chung Hua No. 5 eagerly took part in the interactive activities.
GiFT Japan Diversity facilitator Yuki Yasutomi said that Kuching has been a trusted partner of the programme for more than a decade.
“Kuching has always been a favourite destination among students in Japan due to its rich cultural diversity and strong community spirit,” he said.
He noted that the programme has now expanded to over 10 countries and even continued online during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its core mission remained unchanged.
On top of that, headmistress of SJK Chung Hua No 5 Tay Kok Ing echoed the importance of cultural respect.
“By learning to appreciate other cultures, our students also learn to preserve unity in Sarawak,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Red Crescent Stampin Branch chairperson Chew Kim Soon expressed gratitude to GiFT, the host school and volunteers from SMK Batu Lintang, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 and past participants for their contributions.
The Diversity Voyage programme stands as a testament to how food can serve as a bridge – nurturing youth empowerment, cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship to build a more inclusive future.
