Collaboration with NGOs to Tackle SDGs through Various Projects and Activities of Chulalongkorn University

First Asia-Pacific Youth Development Forum Unites 220+ Young People and Partners to Champion Green Innovation and Sustainable Development

On October 16, 2024, The Asia-Pacific Youth Development Forum (APYDF) 2024, hosted at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, concluded, bringing together over 220 young people, governments, civil society, the private sector, and other youth empowerment partners from 23 countries. Under the theme “Building Sustainable Cities and Resilient Food Systems,” the Forum provided a platform for young innovators to present actionable solutions that address the most pressing challenges of climate change and urbanization in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two-day event featured insightful discussions on green employment and entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, with participants offering recommendations to foster climate resilience and ensure food security. A central highlight was the presentation of youth-driven solutions to transform cities into sustainable and livable environments. These initiatives, aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focused on addressing the environmental degradation and economic challenges faced by vulnerable communities, including marginalized youth. 

APYDF 2024 emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and partnerships to advance the green transition, which leads to meaningful youth engagement, creating green jobs, promoting low-carbon economies, and implementing sustainable policies and practices across the region. 

The Forum was co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), All-China Youth Federation (ACYF), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand, World Youth Development Forum (WYDF) Secretariat, and key partners including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The Chulalongkorn University, and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). 

[ https://www.undp.org/asia-pacific/news/first-asia-pacific-youth-development-forum-unites-220-young-people-and-partners-champion-green-innovation-and-sustainable ]

ONEP, in collaboration with GIZ, Chulalongkorn University, and Chiang Mai University, holds expert discussions on risks to key economic crops and policy recommendations for climate change adaptation in Thailand’s agricultural sector.

On April 3, 2023, Ms.Nareerat Panmanee, Director of the Climate Change Management and Coordination Division, presided over the opening of a workshop addressing risks to key economic crops and formulating policy recommendations for climate change adaptation in Thailand’s agricultural sector. This workshop is part of the “Scoping for Thailand Climate Change Adaptation Assessment in Key Sectors” project, under the Climate, Coastal, and Marine Biodiversity (CCMB) program. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Chulalongkorn University, and Chiang Mai University, organized the event to gather feedback on the analysis of climate-related risks impacting the cultivation of major economic crops across various sub-regions. Held at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok from April 3 to 4, 2023, the workshop attracted around 60 participants, including experts, academic representatives, and government officials. The insights from this meeting will guide the development of climate change impact adaptation assessments and serve as a foundation for creating strategies to support climate adaptation within Thailand’s agricultural sector. The results will also provide essential input for future updates to the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for climate change adaptation.

[ https://climate.dcce.go.th/th/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%9C-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A-giz-%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%AC%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%93%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB-2/ ]

Collaboration in Establishing the “Carbon Institute for Sustainability”

On May 2, 2023, The Aroon Sorathesn Foundation, in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and the Chulalongkorn University Engineering Alumni Association, launched the “Carbon Institute for Sustainability (CBiS)” project. [ https://cbis.institute/about/ ]  This initiative was introduced at the “Aroon Sorathesn Remembrance 2023” event, featuring an academic seminar on “Carbon Footprint towards Thailand SMEs Inclusive Growth.” The event aims to propel Thailand towards carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, awards were presented for the “Faculty Future: Race to Zero Concept” activity from the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, along with a progress report on projects supported by the Aroon Sorathesn Foundation.

The establishment of the Carbon Institute for Sustainability aims to become a leading institution focused on greenhouse gas management based on engineering principles. Its mission includes knowledge transfer and innovation development to drive a low-carbon economy and inclusive growth. The institute’s initiatives encompass training skilled environmental sustainability talents (Green Talents), advancing research and innovation, fostering partnerships with various sectors, and supporting SMEs facing challenges in sustainable business practices to operate stably and successfully.

[ https://mgronline.com/greeninnovation/detail/9660000040212 ]

Chula Student Participating in UNICEF Voices of Youth

A Political Science student from Chulalongkorn University, has been featured in the UNICEF Voices of Youth platform for their experience volunteering with the UN.

[ https://www.voicesofyouth.org/blog/thai-youth-discover-purpose-through-un-volunteerism ]