Global Youth Leaders Join Chula Program to Tackle Sustainability Challenges
Chulalongkorn University successfully hosted the inaugural Chula Global Youth Leadership Program 2026 on SDGs from August 23 to 29, 2026, under the theme “Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Collaborative Learning through Coastal and Urban Experiences in Thailand.” The program brought together 31 participants from 12 leading universities around the world for a week of academic lectures, workshops, field visits, and hands-on experiences designed to deepen their understanding of sustainability, climate change, coastal ecosystems, and the relationship between the environment and local communities.
During field trips to Samae San Island and Si Chang Island in Chonburi Province, participants gained first-hand experience of marine and coastal ecosystems while exploring the connections between environmental conservation, community livelihoods, and sustainable development.
On Samae San Island, participants learned about coral reef conservation through lectures and hands-on activities, including coral planting, shark releases, beach cleanups, community service activities, and snorkeling to explore marine biodiversity.
Meanwhile, Si Chang Island served as a natural classroom where participants took part in interdisciplinary workshops and field studies covering history, culture, natural resources, and local communities. They also examined the challenges facing the island, including urban expansion, tourism, pollution, climate change, marine waste, and resource management. These experiences enabled participants to connect academic knowledge with real-world contexts and gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between the environment, communities, and sustainable development.
A major highlight of the program was the Sustainability Challenge Hackathon, which divided participants from different countries into four teams to analyze environmental and resource-management challenges and develop potential solutions based on their field experiences on Si Chang and Samae San Islands.
- Team Blue focused on transforming Si Chang Island’s waste management system from a linear model into a community-driven circular system through the development of infrastructure, incentive mechanisms, and education.
Team Green focused on improving access to clean drinking water on Si Chang Island. - Team Red explored community-driven approaches to managing and addressing coastal waste.
- Team Yellow focused on sustainable approaches to conserving and managing the island’s natural resources and environment.
Drawing on the knowledge and experiences gained throughout the program, participants analyzed real-world data and developed practical solutions that could be adapted for implementation. They subsequently presented their work during the Final Group Presentation Session, demonstrating cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration as well as the application of sustainability concepts to real-world contexts.
Participants also took part in a research storytelling activity, where they learned how to communicate research findings and insights from fieldwork through compelling stories that can inspire action. The final group presentations provided an opportunity for participants to communicate the challenges they had identified and present concrete sustainability solutions.
At the closing and awards ceremony, Team Blue was announced as the winner of the Sustainability Challenge Hackathon. The team proposed transforming Si Chang Island’s linear waste management system—centered on consumption, incineration, and disposal—into a Community-Based Circular Waste Management System, supported by infrastructure, incentive mechanisms, and education.
The closing ceremony featured a traditional Thai dance performance and a certificate presentation for program participants. Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, congratulated the participants on successfully completing the program and encouraged them to build upon the knowledge, experiences, and perspectives they gained throughout the program. He also encouraged them to apply these insights toward creating a more sustainable and resilient future.
The program was organized by the Office of International Affairs and Global Network, Chulalongkorn University. The inaugural program brought together students from the National University of Singapore, the University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, Peking University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, UNSW Sydney, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Tokyo, the University of Queensland, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Chulalongkorn University.
The program provided participants with a deeper understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and heightened their awareness of the importance of translating knowledge into meaningful action. It marked another important step in strengthening international student engagement and nurturing a new generation of youth leaders with global perspectives and a strong commitment to advancing sustainability and climate resilience toward a shared sustainable future.
