RCE Kuching - 2020

World Rivers Day 2020: Roles of Youth
Basic Information
Title of project : 
World Rivers Day 2020: Roles of Youth
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Kuching
Contributing organization(s) : 
RCE Kuching
UCSI University
Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak
Sarawak Research Society
RCE Srinagar
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Nur Aida Nur Azman
Organizational Affiliation: 
Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak
Name: 
Dr. Abdhesh Kumar Gangwar,
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Srinagar
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hiram Ting
Organizational Affiliation: 
Sarawak Research Society
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yeong Siew Wei
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Kuching
Name: 
Mukvinder Sandhu Kaur
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Kuching
Name: 
Agnes Mary Toner
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Kuching
Name: 
Mohamed Arshad Azeerdeen
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Kuching Youth Ambassador
Format of project: 
PowerPoint
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Kuching
Address of focal point institution for project: 
UCSI University Sarawak Campus
Lot 2976, Block 7, Muara Tebas Land District, Sejingkat 93450 Kuching, Sarawak
Ecosystem(s):
Target Audience:
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Kuching is one of the twelve administrative divisions of Sarawak in Borneo. It is the most populous division of Sarawak comprising the districts of Kuching, Lundu and Bau with an area of around 430 sq km. Kuching is also the capital of Sarawak and occupies both banks of the Sarawak River. This event was held at Kuching Waterfront. With its natural beauty and historical significance, Sungei Sarawak’s potential as a tourist attraction has never been overlooked by the authorities. The local and tourists can also enjoy the heritage buildings alongside the river banks.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Two thirds of the rivers in Malaysia are to be categorized as polluted (Khalid et.al,2018). Rivers in Sarawak provide fresh water for consumption, recreation, industrial use and even means of public transport. In one of the local newspaper article, a villager admitted that she throws rubbish into the river at the back of her house and when asked about its impact on pollution, she said she was unaware that her action is bad for the environment. Therefore, continuous awareness should be done on river cleanliness by educating the public and encourage their participation in keeping the rivers clean.
Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
September, 2020
Rationale: 
The rivers here in kuching are heavily being affected by pollution. Many rivers here are at levels where they aren't clean enough to be used and if this continues then the rivers would not be able to help sustain the communities. Furthermore, many people in our communities arent aware of what is happening and how important they are to us.
Objectives: 
To bring awareness on how important our rivers are and how it is being affected by waste.
To empower youths to learn and be part of the efforts to help protect our rivers.
To increase networking so we will able to communicate ideas and solutions with our RCEs and individuals across the globe.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
UCSI University is one of RCE Kuching's main stakeholder and RCE Kuching is based in UCSI, we have implemented a green campus where all plastic, paper and tin are collected and then sold off to recycling companies. Furthermore, the use of single plastic bottles and straws have been banned on campus. Also, kitchen waste from the university is collected and used as compost for the RCE Kuching's community garden
Size of academic audience: 
311
Results: 
Majority of participants were thankful for the opportunity to open their minds to a problem they saw not urgent. The youth learnt how important their role is in to protect the rivers and were motivated to do so. There have been an increase in youth who want to be part of the team. It has also given us the opportunity to discuss with others who are facing the same issue. Having brought over 300 participants mainly youth and experts in the field of rivers, oceans and youth, has shown that there are many that are willing to be part of the solution. So we at RCE Kuching are working to be leaders and a bridge with the community and find solutions to the problems we face.
Lessons learned: 
As we are in a pandemic situation, we had to go online which allowed us to reach a wider audience.

The technical side of doing an online webinar is very complicated and we experienced certain difficulties.

We were able to collaborate with other RCEs across the world who are facing the same problem and are working towards similar solutions

We were able to involve our stakeholders regardless of the movement restrictions
Key messages: 
The youth are important partners in efforts to save the environment and it's not long till we reach a point of no return.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
RCE Kuching 5R project. This is project is in collaboration with 3 riverine schools, where we educate the students and teachers on the rivers and help them in anyway way we can to protect the rivers close to them.

Sarawak River Art Competition 2020. A project where we raise awareness on our rivers through art and songs. We involve youth and empower them to be environmental ambassadors of Sarawak.
Funding: 
No funds were required for this project

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon RCE Kuching Team.jpeg (55.72 KB) RCE Kuching Team
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Indirect
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Indirect
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Indirect
Waste 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No