Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative: Discovering the many contexts of sustainability

Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative: Discovering the many contexts of sustainability

This second instalment of a two-part series on the Southeast Asia Friendship Initiative(SFI) explores how students on trips led by Eusoff Hall, LightHouse, and Sheares Hall learnt about UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Southeast Asia. From natural resource management in Chiang Mai to eco-tourism and innovation in Vietnam, and reforestation efforts in Bali, these trips offered participants a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to diverse sustainability practices across Southeast Asia and gain valuable insights into the challenges and innovations driving sustainable development in the region.

Eusoff Hall in Chiang Mai: Environment stewardship and natural resources

Twenty-two students from Eusoff Hall (EH) recently had the enriching opportunity to explore sustainable natural resource management in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during the SFI trip which was led by EH Resident Fellow MrsRungnapa Kitiarsa.

The trip included lectures, visits to local communities and businesses, and an in-depth exploration of the intriguing Mae Chaem district, where government, private, and civil society sectors have come together to successfully implement the Mae Chaem model. The Mae Chaem model is a water system management for agriculture and economic forest planting to replace monoculture crops, enabling sustainable development for quality of life and the environment. Through a lecture on the Mae Chaem model at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, students learnt how a community can sustain its forests, as well as its livelihoods through the establishment of successful income-generating activities.

Participants also engaged in various local arts and crafts through skill-based learning activities at the Somdet Ya Community Learning Demonstration School, such as traditional basket-weaving, embroidery, tie-dyeing, and soap-making, creating their own keepsakes from these experiences.

For Teng Chow Jun, a second-year undergraduate from NUS Food Science and Technology, the visit to the Agro-Industry faculty at Chiang Mai University was particularly impactful.

"As a freshman studying Food Science and Technology myself, it was so exciting for me to get to see first-hand the concepts I learn in Singapore getting applied in real-life industrial processes of food development," said Chow Jun.

"Through observing first-hand their high-tech facilities, equipment and infrastructure, such as the sensory evaluation room where they tasted and evaluated their food products, I could better visualise and link the concepts I learnt at school to real life, strengthening my knowledge," he added.

While the 10-day trip was brief, the students gained a profound appreciation for the deep culture, environmental stewardship, and community spirit of Chiang Mai. They admired the villagers' commitment to their community, their pride in their businesses, and the culture of kindness and patience which had been unreservedly extended to them throughout their visit.

LightHouse in Bali: Exploring sustainability in education and environment

Second-year Computer Engineeringundergraduate Roma Joshi together with 24 peers from NUS LightHouseembarked on an experiential SFI learning journey to Bali, Indonesia, where they explored how various stakeholders in Bali are advancing quality education and environmentally sustainable development, in the face of high tourist traffic.

The group visited several educational institutions during the trip led by Dr Lynette Tan and Dr Amanda Wong, Resident Fellows at LightHouse, where they engaged with local staff and students to better understand their strategies for making education more accessible for local communities and individuals affected by various social issues.

First-hand collaborations with organisations across different industries ranging from tourism and recycling to agriculture also provided students with valuable take-home lessons on how sustainability can be implemented in many ways, and is a multifaceted effort where every organisation, regardless of sector, can make a difference.

Such collaborations included, for instance, planting a Miyawaki forest in partnership with Junglo, a reforestation organisation in Bali, and the local students. This also emerged as the most memorable experience for Roma. Using the Miyawaki method, a rapid reforestation method which grows native plants densely on degraded land, the group planted 450 trees together with local students at the courtyard of SMP Negeri 13 Denpasar, a local high school.

"The Miyawaki Method tree-planting experience was one highlight of the trip for me, and the most concrete way we could contribute to the locals," said Roma. "Despite the physical effort and intense heat, the collaborative effort with the local students and Junglo was deeply fulfilling for us."

The rich cultural immersion and engagement with peers from Balinese universities brought an added aspect of warmth and community to the trip, as students returned with new knowledge and experiences of sustainability practices, and a broader appreciation of a neighbouring country which they otherwise may not have had the chance to explore.

Sheares Hall in Vietnam: Weighing in on eco-tourism, sustainability and innovation

How can a community balance tourism, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship? This was the key question tackled by 20 students from Sheares Hallwho stepped out on a 10-day exploration of Hanoi, Vietnam in conjunction with their SFI trip. Focusing on topics in the field such as environmental intelligence, circular economy, and ecotourism, the trip was a valuable opportunity for the students to combine their new knowledge with first-hand experiences on the ground.

Through exploration of several eco-tourism destinations, including Halong Bay, Pu Luong, Yen Duc Village, and Bat Trang Pottery Village, which imparted an immersive experience of Vietnam's cultural heritage and natural beauty, the participants also gained practical insights into waste recycling at Urenco Hai Phong. They also visited the Vietnam National Innovation Center which showcased the country's advancements in technology and entrepreneurship.

The trip also included a stay in the village of Pu Luong, which gave the students a privileged glimpse of community life in the area, while engaging in cultural immersion through activities like bamboo rafting, traditional fishing, and performances such as the Sap dance.

"These experiences were vastly different from our daily routines, providing a refreshing perspective on how local communities enrich cultural dimensions, allowing us to discover the traditional ways of life in Pu Luong," said Kelly Gwee, a third-year undergraduate from NUS Business School.

"During our stay in Pu Luong, the local staff also thoughtfully prepared a campfire, and we all gathered around for an impromptu karaoke session, which added a special touch to the end of our night," she recalled.

The programme culminated in a presentation on circular economy, eco-tourism and innovation, where participants shared their reflections and insights. The trip was a transformative journey that enriched the participants' academic breadth through the meaningful exchange of ideas, deepened their cultural understanding of a Southeast Asian neighbour, and enabled them to form cherished lasting connections.

By LightHouse, Sheares Hall and Eusoff Hall.

This article is the second of a two-part series on the Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative. Read Part 1 here.