Over a month has passed since the third Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum (APYEF) and the sixth Asia-Pacific Ministerial Forum (APMF) took place on August 26–29, 2025, in Nadi, Fiji. Yet for the Tzu Chi youth delegates who joined, the lessons and voices from those days continue to resonate deeply. 

The forum brought together hundreds of young leaders, government representatives, and civil society organizations to address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. For Tzu Chi, this was more than an opportunity to participate in discussions—it was a chance to share our values of compassion, sustainability, and mindful living with the world, while learning from others who share the same mission of protecting the Earth. 

Global Challenges on the Table 

The forum spotlighted some of the most urgent issues facing humanity: rising sea levels threatening island nations, the global plastics crisis, sustainable healthcare, indigenous knowledge, and youth engagement in policy-making. 

While these challenges may seem overwhelming, our delegates carried with them a spirit of simplicity, responsibility, and hope. Through panel discussions, side events, and personal interactions, they found ways to connect Tzu Chi’s values with global conversations—showing that compassion and mindful action are vital pathways toward solutions. 

Voices of Tzu Chi Delegates 

Living Simply for the Planet 

As one of the youth speakers, Tiffany Tu shared her insights during Youth Leadership for a Healthy and Toxic-Free Planet. She emphasized the 5Rs—refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle—as practical actions that bring environmental care into daily life. 

Tiffany highlighted how these practices reflect Tzu Chi’s teachings on simplicity and mindful living, echoing Master Cheng Yen’s example of conserving resources and living modestly. Simple acts, such as using only “one chopstick of water” to reduce water flow when turning on the tap, embody a compassionate approach to both people and the Earth. She also highlighted compassion towards all life, noting Master Cheng Yen’s call for audiences during a speech in 1990 to use their applauding hands for recycling. 

Health and Environment Go Hand in Hand 

Johnson Kao represented Tzu Chi at the side event Scaling-up Actions on One Health for a Resilient Planet. He reflected on how hospitals and healthcare systems can integrate environmental responsibility with community health. “We think it’s possible to integrate environmental pillars into our health care centers, whether in rural or metro areas,” Johnson said. 

He highlighted practical strategies, such as green procurement policies that reuse equipment and materials—reducing 150–400 kg of CO₂ per inpatient—and plant-forward diets to lower the carbon footprint. Learning from best practices, in-person training and experience sharing at sustainable hospitals, and mentorship opportunities for youth leaders are all crucial. 

Johnson emphasized that while institutional-level change is important, awareness and education at the individual and community level can be even more impactful, driving the broader strategic shift needed for a resilient and environmentally conscious healthcare system. 

The Power of Education and Youth 

For Weijia Liu, one of the strongest takeaways from Fiji was the importance of empowering youth through education. “A key lesson I took away from these forums is that empowering youth with knowledge and platforms for action is essential to driving sustainable change,” she said. 

Engaging with fellow youth delegates opened her eyes to the role of education in shaping future generations’ understanding of climate change. Their discussions highlighted the need for transparency in climate discourse and the power of youth-led platforms to drive meaningful, community-based solutions. This perspective resonates deeply with Tzu Chi’s commitment to nurturing wisdom and responsibility in every generation, showing that informed and empowered youth can become catalysts for transformative change. 

Taking Responsibility for the Future 

Yi Tong Kuan reflected deeply on the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—and how each person can contribute through lifestyle changes, particularly by adopting a plant-based diet. A quote that resonated deeply with her was, “We did not inherit the Earth; we borrowed it from the younger generation.” Instead of treating the Earth as something we are entitled to use and exploit, it reminds us that our actions today will directly affect the world our children and future generations will live in. 

Yi Tong emphasized that sustainability is not just about the present—it is about passing on a livable, thriving Earth to those who come after us. Inspired by Master Cheng Yen’s encouragement to live mindfully and adopt sustainable practices, she has returned to Australia with a renewed commitment to promoting plant-based diets and environmental awareness within her community, aiming to inspire others, especially youth, to join in caring for the Earth. 

Using Media to Inspire Action 

As part of the media team, Evelyne discovered that storytelling can be a bridge for engagement. One of her favorite activities was the whiteboard Q&A, where participants were asked: “What’s one small action you can take towards a sustainable lifestyle?” Delegates wrote their answers on a whiteboard, and each photo became a snapshot of commitment.

“This activity helped me see how media can do more than document,” Evelyne reflected. “It can create conversations, inspire others, and spread sustainable habits. We can use media to promote not just awareness, but real action to protect the Earth.” Her insight connects directly with Tzu Chi’s own global humanistic cultural mission: using storytelling to awaken kindness and motivate change. 

Though each delegate carried different roles and perspectives, a common thread runs through their reflections: small actions matter. In Fiji, our delegates found not only inspiration but also affirmation that living compassionately is a vital response to the global crisis. 

Looking Forward 

One month on, the forum may have ended, but its impact lives on in commitments both personal and collective. For our youth delegates, the challenge is to carry these lessons into daily life: practicing the 5Rs, choosing plant-based meals, using media for good, and empowering others through education. 

Beyond Fiji, the voices of our youth continue to echo—reminding us that while the challenges are global, the solutions begin with each of us.

Written by Evelyne Chang (張美花)