In August 2025, Singapore became a vibrant crossroads for youth-driven sustainability as nearly 200 young people from 14 countries gathered for the Tzu Chi International Youth Association's 2025 TIYA Conference, themed “Inspire, Empower, Sustain: YOUth for 2030.” Hosted overseas for the first time, this three-day event empowered youth to move beyond discussion—turning their insights into concrete action plans for a better world.
A Platform for Collaboration and Growth
The TIYA Conference was designed to deepen understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and amplify youth-led impact. Over 100 youth delegates, supported by 70 crew members and ambassadors from TIYA's International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) and Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association, came together to learn, share, and act.
Organizing such a diverse event was not without challenges. The Singapore team, responsible for this year’s convention, faced hurdles in recruiting participants and coordinating across time zones and languages. Sharifah Faizah, the program director, reflected, “Coordinating across time zones and languages was a real challenge, but our shared goal made it possible for us to work together and succeed.”
Learning from Experience, Building for the Future
The first two days immersed delegates in expert-led sessions and learning journeys, including site visits to observe Singapore’s innovative approaches to waste management and urban sustainability. These experiences inspired delegates like Keshav from India, who hoped to bring new solutions back to address waste management issues at home, and Navish from Malaysia, who saw the event as a chance to explore cross-border collaboration for the planet.
Turning Insight into Action
The final day marked a pivotal shift—from sharing ideas to taking charge. Delegates returned to the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre energized and ready to co-develop impactful action plans with their peers and mentors.
The morning began with a Gallery Walk Exhibition, where delegates explored 20 booths hosted by event partners, each championing one of five SDGs spotlighted at this year’s conference. NGOs showcased their commitment to clean water, affordable energy, and partnerships for the goals. Adrian Banie Lasimbang, representing social enterprise Tonibung, shared, “We discovered that Tzu Chi and Tonibung share many common values when it comes to promoting sustainable development. Hence, when the opportunity arose to contribute insights concerning indigenous communities at the conference, we knew we had to be here.”
Workshops led by United Nations speakers guided youth in developing action plans that met UN standards. Shaan Gom, Indigenous Youth Engagement & Empowerment Coordinator at UNDP Bangkok, encouraged delegates to “truly understand and empathize with the community, and ensure you know what the communities really need. Don’t assume. Strive to design solutions that actually work for them.”
Innovative Solutions for Real-World Challenges
Delegates formed teams to tackle pressing issues in their home countries and beyond. One group addressed the need for resilient housing in Jakarta, Indonesia, following recurring fire incidents. Another team focused on Malaysia’s recurring floods, aiming to reduce disaster-affected populations and promote resilient urban planning. A third group, with members from Malaysia, the Philippines, Nepal, and Sudan, sought to improve access to clean water and sanitation for stateless communities in Sabah.
Some teams looked to technology for solutions. Yeow Shuen Yi, a university student from Penang, Malaysia, shared her team’s plan to install piezoelectric floor tiles in high-traffic areas to generate electricity for streetlights—a step toward reducing energy consumption and pollution.
Local youth also considered how Singapore’s progress could benefit others. “We really feel that we shouldn’t take living in Singapore for granted, and we want to explore how we can contribute beyond our country,” said Xiong Lu, a university student. Her team hopes to embark on meaningful projects outside Singapore, recognizing that many global challenges remain unresolved.
Launching Generation Hope: A Call to Action
The conference concluded with the launch of “Generation Hope Goals: Actions for the SDGs (GHG),” a collaborative initiative by Save the Children, ESCAP, UNDP, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific, Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, ChildFund, and Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP). The initiative invites youth to submit their climate solutions, with finalists receiving mentorship and opportunities to present at the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development in Bangkok.
Ecolery’s Chief Operating Officer, Yeamin Islam Tabin, who previously won first place at GHG 2024, encouraged delegates to get involved and inspire others. Ecolery was founded to supply edible and biodegradable cutlery to tackle plastic waste in cities and waterways.
Forging Connections and Inspiring Confidence
The closing ceremony was a moment of reflection and hope. Lance, an international student from the Philippines, shared, “I now know that I don't have to do it alone. There are always people who want to give back to society and make this world a much more habitable and a much happier place.”
In a touching exercise, Deborah Bourdeaux, Chief International Affairs Officer of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation USA, invited delegates and mentors to write letters to themselves, detailing what they had learned and the projects they envisioned leading. These letters, dropped into a box, symbolized the commitment to carry their aspirations forward.
A Lasting Impact
What set the 2025 TIYA Conference apart was its focus on action and ongoing support. Rather than ending with inspiration alone, the conference will continue to host capacity-building sessions and online meetings, helping youth refine and implement their plans. Candela Gonzalez, Chair of the World Board of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, praised the event’s inclusivity and the safe space it created for young leaders to take ownership and build lasting connections.
As the conference drew to a close, the message was clear: empowering youth today is essential for a sustainable tomorrow. With the right platforms, resources, and trust, young people can lead with courage and vision—shaping a future where their voices guide us toward a more just, resilient, and hopeful world.
Source: 200位青年齊聚新加坡 慈濟TIYA共築永續願景
