UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2022 (19/4/2021-21/4/2021)

Last year, my dream came true as I attended my very first virtual ECOSOC Youth Forum by the UN. This year was no exception. Unfortunately, I got sick due to the amount of sleep I had last year. This year, I have learned my lesson and tried to plan accordingly. 

On the eve of the forum, I attended one of the side events - “Building youth partnerships to advance the SDGs and build back better” by UNDP, UNV and UNICEF / Generation Unlimited. Let’s be honest, after two years of a pandemic the world is struggling. For example, when the first Movement Control Order was implemented on 18 March 2020, my final and extended semester was moved completely online and it was really a struggle for me. I passed in the end which was a relief! 

Moving on, “Building youth partnerships to advance the SDGs and build back together”, one point I could summarise is children are still the most vulnerable, besides the adults but I think all of us were and still are badly affected by the pandemic. Even though Malaysia opened up its borders earlier this month on 1 April 2022, still most of us are still cautious of it. 

The next day was the big day - the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2022! This year, I managed to assemble some fellow Malaysians who are on board. We even have a Malaysian Youth group chat on Whova. Youths from all over the world used this app to connect with each other throughout the forum and it took me a while to get the hang of it. 

At 9pm (9am New York time), the forum began with opening remarks from the President of the ECOSOC - H.E. Me. Colin Kelapile, followed by speeches about the challenges they faced in their countries as youths. 

At 11.00pm (New York time 11.00am), we had a networking session. I went to the Chinese speaking networking session. Mostly they talked about SDG 5: Gender Equality, I brought my passion for mental health and children. 

The next day was the regional breakout session. I went to Asia and the Pacific. What really amazed everyone was that 12-year-old Jivitesh Gupta from India gave a powerful speech on the importance of achieving the SDGs and advocating adolescent health in his country. 

During the fireside chat sessions, we have speakers from Bangladesh, Fiji, Japan and Malaysia. All of us are doing our best in accomplishing the work we have done. Take SDG 13 for example, Climate Actions - was a hot topic at the forum but are we aware what are the cause and effects? It same goes for other SDGs as well as they are interconnected with each other. 

For the second and final networking session, we had to get up super early because of the time zones. The participants were fewer from the first one but at least from my side, it was still casual and relaxed. 

Three days of ECOSOC virtual youth forum had finally come to an end! I would like to applaud the Malaysian delegation, well done to all of us! A first of many to come! 

UN ECOSOC Youth Forum (7/4/2021-8/4/2021)

 "In five years' time, where do we see ourselves?" This question is asked to us youths all the time. Some of us are not sure where we see ourselves in the given timeline, some have already planned out the future. Which category I'm in? Definitely in between the two. One thing for sure my answer to the question - I might be seeing myself in the real-life UN, representing Malaysia at the ECOSOC youth forum or might work in the media industry which I'm really passionate about. 

That dream came true! I received from the ECOSOC Youth Forum Organisation team that I would be joining thousands of youths around the world to join the conversation on 7 April and 8 April 2021. Immediately, I shared the happy news with my family and my friends, especially from the Malaysian Model United Nations (MUN) scene to tell them about the fantastic news! The first thing I looked up was the timetable of the forum. It's going to be super late according to Malaysian time, I guessed I needed to sacrifice the sleep. 

Before I go any further on the event itself, let me take you back on how I got to know the ECOSOC youth forum. I was browsing through social media as always, a headline caught my eye: ECOSOC Youth Forum 2018. I clicked on the headline, seeing international Chinese singer, Roy Wang from China's boyband trio - TF Boys, delivering his speech on the children in China having limited access to education. The next thing I did is browse through the list to see if any Malaysian is on board, but unfortunately, no Malaysian representatives in the list. One thought, I made up my mind: "That's it! I'm going to break the record!" 

To break the record, where do I start? Model United Nations (MUN) came into mind. I signed up for the Malaysian National Model United Nations (MNMUN), since then I found my new passion and continue to join MUN conferences in Malaysia. My MUN friends asked me why did I join MUN? My answer was easy: Hoping to represent Malaysia at the ECOSOC Youth Forum one day. 

Fast forward to three years (2021), the dream is finally coming true! Let's proceed where we left off! Before the big day, I attended the ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event. I was really happy to see some of the Malaysian youths were on board for the event. 

My MUN buddies and I always talk about the ECOSOC youth forum at every MUN event whenever we have the chance. One time, we were talking about the outfit - what should we wear if were to attend the forum one day? I said: "We're representing Malaysia, we have to include that is connected with our Malaysian roots," Wearing one of the traditional costumes, with the unity pin and the flag as a bonus. Sticking to the words, I wore a red cheongsam with the unity pin on the first day itself of the forum. I had to stay up really late due to the 12-hour difference between Malaysia and New York, USA. There were lots of rest in between.

The networking session was at 5.30am (GMT+8). I was a little bit nervous for the networking session but everything was gonna be fine. After the speed networking with a couple of people, I decided to play around and browsed through each networking room. I was surprised that no one was at the children and mental health - a cause which I'm championing. The popular one were gender equality, climate and access to education. I decided to hop in to the access to education networking room. I met four amazing young people - Arissa from Canada, Anna and Keqi from China and Sariany from Peru. Each of us talked about the challenges that are faced in our respective countries. 

The next day, I only attended the Regional Breakout Session (Asia and the Pacific). I didn't attend the closing ceremony, as I was feeling unwell (no, it's not what we think - it's called the virtual jetlag due to the time zones). Overall, I'm proud to represent Malaysia at this virtual stage and hopefully to change the perception towards Malaysia because in reality not many know the country well. As a matter of fact, Malaysia produces youths like you and me who are passionate about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

My name is Chin Kar Marn, Malaysian representative at the virtual ECOSOC Youth Forum 2021. To all my fellow Malaysians who were at the forum, we did it! Malaysia Boleh! 

(Left): First MUN in 2018; (Right): Goal achieved

End of first day of the forum at 7am (8/4/2021)

 

UN ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event: Youth and the Future of Governance (6/4/2021)

 It's the eve of the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2021, the side event is a pre-event of the big day. We have a list of side events to choose from, I chose "Youth and the Future of Governance". We have some Malaysian representations, have to give the biggest support! 

Each of the speaker emphasises how youths are playing an important role as global citizens. I'm gonna pick my top three from the side event. First and foremost, it's none other than our keynote speaker himself, Dr. Maliki. I met Dr. Maliki while I was a university student a couple of years back, that time he was showing us on providing clean water in rural areas of Sarawak. Now, he addresses on the impact of youths as global citizens, not just Malaysia itself and we have a International Youth Council where it is located in Kuala Lumpur - the capital state of Malaysia. I hope to visit the place one day when interstate travelling in the country is allowed. 

Secondly, Ms. Sharon Lo from the UK. She mentions that our roles as youths, we have to be creative in solutions in our everyday lives and most importantly, our voices need to be heard by the big people, listen to us what young people care about that is happening today in the world. Thirdly, it has to be Mr. Phay from YMCA who addresses on the hatred which is a real "virus", which I think it's true because no one in this world to be born to hate someone.  We can lend our voices and be a caring by stander, standing with them together. 

After all these take away from the top three speakers of my choice. I think there is one personal trait that we are lacking - kindness and empathy. We are busy with power and wealth but forgot that kindness and empathy are the keys in any governance leadership and we as young leaders as a whole. Change is always the word, but I think kindness is the future of youth and governance. 

I'm looking forward to the main event for the next two and a half days. 

UN SDG 4th Anniversary: Rock the Goals (25/9/19)

Last year, we make a pledge and join hands on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), this time it's to rock the goals! I clad in my Team Sunway t-shirt, with my trusty blue Hawkeye shoes, it's time to rock the goals. But wait before that, a pose on the mini red carpet is a must! My best friend, Hanis and I pose our best red carpet pose with the 17 UN SDGs in the background.

We make our way to the college's North Building, apparently the lift is not working with the notice on the wall states that the lift will be closed from 6pm to 10pm. How can we get to the concert in time? "Let's go the South Building of the college, the West side can lead us to Jeffrey Cheah Hall," One of the concert goers is kind enough to share her free popcorn with us! As we reach the forth floor, the Sunway Student Ambassadors lead us to the fifth floor, that makes me wonder, why are we going to the highest floor?

There is another, entrance which leads to the balcony of the hall. Well, throughout my four years on campus, this is the first time at the balcony and it's the best seat in the house! What's more? Hanis and are the firsts to go in before everyone else does. We get to see a short video of all the 17 UN SDGs and a sneak peak of the performers who are doing the sound check before the big night.

"Katelyn, you'll wait for a bit, I'm going to grab food for us okay? Be sure to stand by your phone at all times," Hanis said as she heads out to the roof top garden to grab free food. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that whoever has the "Rock the Goals" for tonight's concert, we will have everything free! From drinks to food, and you know we Malaysians love free stuff right?

As the time nears 6pm, students are starting to fill up the hall, and VIPs are coming in too. I see two royal chairs at the hall. I guess the yellow chair is for HH the Prince of Selangor and the other is for the Prince of Negri Sembilan.  One more thing if you can't go into the main concert at the hall, there are three places where concert goers can watch the live telecast- Sunway International School hall, JC 3 and the Art Gallery at the university.

The concert starts with an opening video of the initial venue due to the haze we have to switch from outdoor to indoor. "There is no planet B, but at Sunway there is always a Plan B," the emcee comes out to greet the crowd. We have a few "warm up" session before the concert begins. The VIPs have arrived and everyone has settled down. Let the concert begin!

First off, we have the Sunway University Choir leading the crowd in the room, singing the national anthem- Negaraku. All the 17 SDGs flag bearers are in their position. The opening song is the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson's Heal the World, which I really think suits the theme of the night. Last year, they played "We're All in This Together" as the opening.

The second performance in line is our Sunway University 24 Festive Drums to pump up the beat. It has to be one of my favourite performances of the night. Since it's a rock concert, there are few more performance to hype up the moment but first let us listen to the speakers of the 17 SDGs. We first go to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by YB Michelle Ng, the state assembly person of Subang Jaya.

As I mentioned before that I'm passionate about SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Mr. David Ng, the speaker of the goal talked about mental health which gets me really excited! I'm not in any organisation, but I'm passionate to champion the cause of mental health, especially in children.

Besides SDG 3, SDG 4: Quality Education is in my list well. Who knows better about education other than, Dr. Elizabeth Lee herself, the Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group. She is a crowd favourite to the students. In her message, Dr. Lee says "Receiving an education is a privilege, however there are some children didn't have the opportunity. Every child has the right to receive the best education," With the first four speeches made, it's time to pump up with some music! A rocketchestera was performed by MPYO alongside with the Malaysian autistic music group.

Around 8.45pm, the emcee announces the arrival of His Highness- the Crown Prince of Selangor. I curtsy to the Prince of Selangor when His Highness makes his way to the VIP area. More speeches on the 17 SDGs are made. SDG 15: Life on Land, by my best friend, Pratima Tamang. As a survivor of the Nepalese earthquake back in 2015, she urges everyone to stop deforestation and save the earth as well as protecting the environment as much as we can! The Prince of Negri Sembilan gives his speech on SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institution.

More music from Malaysia's rock group Muzza, who sing classic songs from Prince's Purple Rain and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. The last goal- Partnership for the Goals, made by High Highness the Crown Prince of Selangor. The night ends with a big group photo! After that, it's more from Muzza!

Before we head downstairs to the main hall, Hans and I clean up which are left by the students at the balcony, now that's what I called shining a light on sustainability! I'm Katelyn Chin  and let's shine a light  on the UN Sustainability Development Goals.Tell me, how are you going to shine a light on the UN SDG with your chosen goal? Feel free to comment below.

I'm looking forward to the next UN concert on campus. It might be my last one but I'm hoping to come back as an alumnus to support the goals.

Hanis (L) and I at the red carpet 

I'm going for Goal 3 

Shining a Light on the SDGs 

Youth Speak Forum 2019: Start from YOUth! (23/7/19-24/7/19)

The semester break is already here, everyone at this time has gone back to their own hometowns to relax for a month. Is it back to university for me? You might be wondering why am I back to university so quickly? Well, it's a UN related event organised by AISEC Sunway, Youth Speak Forum 2019: Start from YOUth!

Once I arrive campus, I head up to the corridor of the JC auditoriums to sign myself up. While waiting, I have a small chat with some delegates who come for the event. We are given the green light to go into JC 1 when doors are opened at 10.00am. We have a little bit of warm up with the tagline: Hey AISEC! What's up?

The first session of the day starts with Dr. Maliki, he talks about the SDGs in Malaysia and how each of these goals can really help to build up the nation. The current project that Dr. Maliki and his team are doing right now is to provide clean water in rural areas in Sabah. This follow by a panel discussion from UNICEF Malaysia, Human Stories of KL and former MGAG Malaysia manager, Mun Yee, on the roles of youths in the country. I raise a question or two during the Q & A session.

Next up, delegates move to their chosen workshops. My senior, Hui Mei and I head to the Star R.age workshop. We have an insight on investigation journalism, how their work is infringed by third parties. Somehow in the beginning of the workshop, it related to one of the topics which I learned in law and ethics in communication. We are tasked to come up ideas that is related to the SDGs, and what we didn't realise is that our ideas will be entered in a competition. We are totally mind blown!

The final segment of the first day is Teach for Malaysia, and we are given a sneak peak that we are going to secondary schools to teach students on the 17 SDGs. It's been awhile I went back to my own high school, SMK Tinngi St. David Melaka. Hopefully we will make it through tomorrow. Now it's off to the second day!

The second and final day of the forum, we head to SMK Bandar Kinrara to educate secondary school students about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Four of us take a ride in Iman's car while the other go to the school by bus. When we reach the school, the security guard won't allow us to go in. After seeing me getting out from the car with my crutches, he lets us in to the school compound.

While we are waiting for the other students to arrive, somehow our Sunway University's logo is promoted at the school, and what's more? The actual students from the university are here! We ask directions from the students, they lead us to the hall which is upstairs. "Kar Marn, are you okay with steps?" my friends are concerned. "I'm okay!" I say.

We set up everything that we need later on, the students start to fill the hall up. Once the hall is filled up, our emcee introduces on AISEC itself as well as the 17 UN SDGs. "Now in a group of 10, we need at least two students in a group," In my group, we have Elizabeth and Soo En- the students, and the rest of us are just AISECE-ers and non-AISECE-ers. We have a little team building game which is using our body language to communicate one another.

After that, it's time for the main part- introducing the 17 SDGs to the students! "Do you know what is Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?" Vanessa asks, Elizabeth and Soo En look at each other, and look at us again. "Okay ladies, relax!" We explain how did SDGs come about and why it is so important. "In Malaysia, we found out that young Malaysians are passionate about these three goals, out of 17 of them, which are: Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduce Inequailty (SDG 10), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12),"

Here comes the fun part, all we have to do is to come up with ideas which are based on three goals that we have mentioned earlier on. They are still shy, but we give them encouragement as much as we can, because we want to hear their views on how they are going to commit one of the three SDGs. My team and I choose SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. One of the ideas is really cute: growing a pet!

We sit in  a round circle and pledge that which SDG we want to commit. For me, besides SDG 3: Good health and well-being, I'm also passionate on SDG 4: Quality education. Why? Education is the most powerful tool that can change the world! Group photos and videos are taken, and it's time to head back to campus. I'm also kinda practising my role as a UNICEF "ambassador" in some way.

Thank you AISEC Sunway for this amazing events! I hope to join in more related UN events.

UN SDG 3rd Anniversary Celebration 2018 at Sunway University (7/10/18)

The semester break has officially started, most of them have already gone back to their respective hometowns to spend their one-week holiday. Before I head back to my hometown, Melaka, I decide to spend my weekend on campus. Is there a big event on campus? It's the third anniversary celebration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is celebrated all around the world!

You must be what are the Sustainable Development Goals? The Sustainable Development Goals was launched by the United Nations (UN) on 7 October 2015. These global goals are the challenges that we face in the world today such as poverty, inequality, huger, health, education etc. We hope to reach the 17 goals by 2030, to ensure that we leave no one behind.

As I arrive on the campus' football field, there's a big stage and two performers are singing to the late Michael Jackson's Beat It, as if I'm attending my very first open-air concert on campus! Oh wait, I am! I make my way to one of the tents to ward off the intense heat. Thanks to the Sunway Student Volunteers (SSV), they give out complimentary drinks to the participants at the event and also badges for the goals, as well as posters!

I'm waiting for my friend Hanis to arrive. I'm near the VIP tent, I bump into a few famous faces. Malaysia's famous comedian and funniest man in the world- Harith Iskander, along with his wife, Dr. Jezzmine Lim, and state assembly person for Subang Jaya- YB Michelle Ng. Not long after, Hanis has arrived. As we are chatting, the emcee announces the arrival of HRH the Raja Muda of Selangor. Quickly, I jump off from the stage and we look for another platform to have a seat.

We found one not far from the VIP tent. At around 9.00am, the celebration begins. When High School Musical's We're All in this Together is played, the flag bearers for each goal comes up to the stage. Who doesn't love High School Musical? I even dance to the music! To start off the celebration, Sunway University Cheerleading (SUC) is here to heat up the stage with their amazing stunts and flips!

The emcee asks all the students to move forward to the stage. I'm still remain on the platform as it is difficult for me to get down on the grass. One by one, 17 VIPs come up to the stage and make their pledge on the goals they are passionate in. At one point, Hanis checks on me to make sure that I'm comfortable.  Sunway founder, Tan Sri Jeffery Cheah, AO, makes his speech to wrap up all the 17 goals. A drone flies over to capture the momentous event, Hanis and I wave to the camera.

When the VIPs come to our side, we shake hands with his HRH the Raja Muda of Selangor. I give my best curtsy when I meet HRH. I have a mini reunion with the national tenpin bowler, Sin Li Jane. We met before at last year's SEA Games homecoming celebration. I even give Li Jane a big hug!

The celebration is not over yet! I have my own VIP moment at the tent, and a good view of the stage too! A magic show,  opera singing, a group of kid dancers, and the best part of all is the performance from the Malaysian Army! With that, the celebration of the SDG has come to a close. I'm super happy that I attended the biggest UN event in the world, apart from Model United Nations (MUN). Maybe I can represent UN Malaysia for one of these goals as a youth ambassador, who knows right?

 I, CHIN Kar Marn, make a pledge on Good Health and Well-Being. Let us join hands and make a pledge to each of the SDG that we are passionate in.