KUCHING: Youth from across ASEAN and Sarawak have come together from Jul 25 to Aug 6 in Kuching for the Youth EdXchange Programme 2025.
The initiative is aimed at promoting environmental education, sustainable innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration through forums, workshops, and a youth-led Ideathon.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated at the closing ceremony, praised organiser WormingUp and partners Maybank Foundation and ASEAN Foundation for delivering a high-impact leadership platform that empowers regional changemakers.
“These young leaders have been in Sarawak for about a week, engaging in various activities focused on developing leadership skills centred on environmental awareness and sustainable practices,” he said at the closing ceremony held at Tegas Digital Village today (Aug 3).
The programme brought together over 60 international and local youth participants for a range of activities under the Youth EdXchange Forum and Ideathon.
The initiative focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas of environmental protection, responsible consumption and production, and community-based innovation.
During the Ideathon today, youth teams pitched SDG-aligned projects developed throughout the programme, with the top three teams receiving seed grants of RM2,500, RM1,500, and RM1,000 along with six months of mentorship to implement their ideas.
One of the key outcomes of the programme is the establishment of recycling centres in three Sarawak schools, benefiting over 1,500 students by introducing sustainable waste management and upcycling practices aligned with circular economy principles.
Abdul Karim expressed strong support for such youth-led sustainability efforts, noting that governments, communities, and institutions must provide enabling platforms for innovation and growth.
“This is not just about Sarawak. It’s about empowering our youth to think globally and act sustainably,” he said.
Organised by youth-led environmental social enterprise WormingUp, the programme also engaged local NGOs, government agencies, universities, and corporate CSR partners to strengthen its impact and encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration.
