APRU SDG4GC orientations kick-start exploration of health & well-being
November 15, 2022
01

In early November, two orientation programs successfully marked the start of the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship program (APRU SDG4GC), involving representatives from APRU member universities, UN agencies and other experts, interacting online with the program’s first cohort comprised of 60 students from 28 member universities.

APRU SDG4GC is an intercultural, transdisciplinary and interactive program that fosters global citizenship among students from 60 universities in 19 economies across the Pacific Rim. Lead by Chulalongkorn University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and co-designed by four other core-partner universities, in collaboration with the United Nations, the program builds knowledge of global issues among students. With the theme of “Shaping the Future of Health and Wellbeing” this year, the program covers a broad range of topics, including mental health, health equity, health care system, ethics, healthy ageing, and global health.

Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University
(Photo: Chulalongkorn University)

“You have already proved yourself to be pioneers ready to lead the way towards a shared vision of global citizenship,” said Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University, in his opening remarks.

“Global citizenship is key in these times when the world is undergoing critical transitions that demand resolution of interconnected challenges,” he added.

Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
(Photo: Chulalongkorn University)

Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, revealed that the inaugural class of APRU SDG4GC was completely oversubscribed and congratulated the students for being selected.

Tuan explained that APRU SDG4GC serves to guide students to create solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges through collaboration.

“These challenges have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as the world is faced with an increasingly polarized geopolitical environment which has created all sorts of hindrances for transnational collaboration,” Tuan said.

Iwona Spytkowski, Team Leader and Strategic Planner at United Nations in Thailand, provided a snapshot of SDGs progress and explained how the UN system can be leveraged for further improvement. Marisa Panyachiva, Partnership and Development Finance Officer at the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, provided information about the UN’s structure and the agency’s many funds and programs. Panyachiva explained that the UN draws its unique strengths from working at different levels, from regionally to globally.

Elodie Jacquet, Global Citizenship Program Co-designer who is the Knowledge and Practice Manager at Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, urged the students to have a spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness. “This is an important skill to have when you will be negotiating with other members of society, different levels of government, and other people that you will interact with in your work,” Jacquet said.

Natalie Konomi, Global Citizenship Program Co-designer and Professor at Kyushu University, presented the elements of culture, illustrating how complex and interconnected those are.

On day 2 of the orientation, the panel session entitled “Shaping the Future of Health and Well-Being” was broadcasted widely and raised the question “How can we build a caring and sustainable global community?” Dr. Andrea Bruni, the WHO’s Regional Advisor, Mental Health, South-East Asia, shared insights about the new WHO Mental Health Action Plan. Jennifer Frances dela Rosa, a Senior Officer affiliated with the Health Division of ASEAN Secretariat’s Human Development Directorate, spoke on social progress and cultural development in the ASEAN region. Hilda Ho, Head of Psychiatry Services, RIPAS Hospital, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam, and Bambang Purwanto, representing the Ministry of Health, Indonesia,  spoke on developments regarding mental health in Brunei and Indonesia respectively. Tiffany Chen, Policy Experimentation Expert, Thailand Policy Lab, UNDP, shared findings from an ongoing case study about mental health issues among Thai youth.

In the next four months, the students will engage in interactive lectures and workshops on design thinking and cross-cultural communication, receive mentorship from experts from the program’s core partners, and work in teams to develop a solution to address a challenge on this year’s theme. A pitching competition on 20 March 2023 will showcase students’ work and will be judged by a panel of UN experts.

The winning team will participate in a week-long visit to Bangkok, with training at Chulalongkorn University’s Innovation Hub, field trips to spin-off companies and start-ups, and an opportunity to join a key UN event in Bangkok.

The SDG4GC program is one of many initiatives that APRU is building with its member universities to nurture our youth to make an impact locally and globally to address some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Group Photos of the Orientation:



For more information about SDG for Global Citizenship, please visit SDG4GC Website.

Related Articles
Winners Announced: APRU Global Health Virtual Case Competition and Student Poster Contest 2023
more
APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School Resumed In-person Trainings in 2023 at Tohoku University
more
APRU Esports Fellowship Program 3rd Cohort provides ample food for thought on well-being, networking, and universities’ future role
more
Unique innovations blossomed at the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship Program
more
Global Climate Change Simulation Offers USC Students New Perspectives on Worldwide Fight
more
UO Students Co-host APRU Global Climate Change Simulation
more
APAIE 2023: APRU universities showcase successful student programs for social impact
more
17th Annual APRU Multi-Hazards Symposium Presents New Approaches and Tools to Tackle Future Risks
more
APRU Presents Solutions for New Core Competency- Building at 18th APEC Future Education Forum
more
12th APRU Population Ageing Virtual Conference 2022 Takes on Massive Challenges in Achieving Optimal Outcomes for Older Persons
more
APRU Sustainable Cities & Landscapes Conference Helps Shifting Toward Well-prepared and Resilient Urban Societies
more
The APRU Climate Change Simulation- Preparing Students to Lobby Leaders for Vital Actions
more
Congratulations to the winners of the APRU Digital Art Contest, “Level-Up Our World”
more
APRU Students Showcase Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills in APRU Global Health Virtual Case Competition
more
Congratulations to the winners of the APRU Rampage Invitational Tournament
more
Students from Tongji School of Medicine Enrolled in the Top 10 Entries of the APRU Global Health Virtual Case Competition 2022
more
Graduation Ceremony and Final Presentations of Esports Fellowship Program 2nd Cohort leaves participants in awe
more
Congratulations to the Winners of the APRU VSE Earth Day Challenge!
more
APRU on The Fiji Times: FNU Students Join Global Climate Change Simulation
more
APRU Carbon Neutral Society Action Month Opens New Doors for Early Career Researchers
more
Congratulations to the winners of the APRU Student Esports Paper Competition
more
APRU Global Sustainability: Waste & The City Seminar Course Helps Graduate Students Shape Green Leadership Concepts
more
UBC News: 2 UBC Esports undergrads win industry research scholarships
more
APRU on UNESCO News: New report “Moving minds: Opportunities and challenges for virtual student mobility in a post-pandemic world”
more
APRU on SCMP: Covid-19 wrecks exchange programme plans, as record low number of Hong Kong university students went overseas in last academic year
more
APRU Esports Fellowship Program Welcomes the 2nd Cohort of Student Leaders
more
UP hosts the first virtual APRU Undergraduate Leaders’ Program
more
Global MOOC and Online Education Conference 2021 highlights APRU Virtual Student Exchange (VSE) Program
more
APRU on SCMP: Virtual foreign exchange allowing students to ‘study abroad’ without leaving home will outlast Covid-19
more
UH News: Esports fellowship creates global opportunities for UH students
more
Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2021: winners announced
more
APRU Global Health Conference Focuses on Urban Health and Infodemics
more
Congratulations to the 1st Cohort of the APRU Esports Fellowship Program Participants
more
2021 CIEE International Education & Exchange Summit
more
APRU Student Global Climate Change Simulation Tackling Climate Change Head-On
more
Esports Webinar Series by YESPORTS and APRU helps exploring career opportunities
more
APRU Joins Solve Climate by 2030 Project
more
Cyberport Brings Together Hong Kong and Pacific Rim Youth for Esports Exchange
more
Workshop Shows Ways Forward for Virtual Student Exchange
more
YESPORTS ESPORTS APPRENTICESHIP Recipient Announced
more
4th SCL Conference mastered shift from face-to-face to virtual, new survey shows
more
APRU Launches the First Global Inter-University Esports Conference and Fellowship Program
more
14th APRU Global Health Conference 2020 records massive virtual reach
more
APRU Quarantunes Competition Connects and Uplifts Student Communities through Music, Boosting Spirits during Ongoing Pandemic
more
APRU E-Sports Apprenticeship
more
Winners of the Global Health Student Activities 2020 Announced
more
TEC News: Song of Tec students wins 1st place among universities worldwide
more
Quarantunes Student Music Competition
more
APRU-IRIDeS Multi-Hazards Virtual Summer School 2020
more
Collaboration, technology and global health policy
more
Cities and Refugees – 2019 Global Student Design Ideas Competition
more
APRU Inaugural Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Design Field School
more
Winners of 2018 Global Health Student Poster Contest
more
1
53