More than 150 youth leaders from 15 countries gathered in Singapore for the Tzu Chi International Youth Association (TIYA) Conference 2025, where they developed innovative solutions to global challenges.
The three-day event, a collaboration between Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) and TIYA, focused on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through concrete, youth-led action.
The conference underscored the critical role of young people in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.
Participants engaged in plenaries, interactive workshops, and a dedicated Action Plan Development segment where they created 15 detailed proposals. These plans ranged from designing resilient housing in fire-prone regions to developing community-owned wind farms.
The Action Plan Development segment was a key highlight, fostering cross-border collaboration to address complex issues.
One team, for example, designed a strategy to combat frequent flooding in Malaysia, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations and promoting resilient urban planning.
Another group, with delegates from Malaysia, the Philippines, Nepal, and Sudan, worked on improving access to clean water and sanitation for stateless communities in Sabah.
Shaan Gom, an Indigenous Youth Engagement & Empowerment Coordinator at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), stressed the unique value of the event.
“The cross-border dialogue amongst the youths and mentors from different countries is what made TIYA Conference so unique,” Gom stated. “It fosters awareness and a sense of camaraderie that might not emerge otherwise.”
The conference also provided participants with a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities. Delegates attended sessions led by experts from organisations like the UNDP, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
These sessions centred on key SDGs, including Clean Water & Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable & Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Sustainable Cities & Communities (SDG 11).
The TIYA team confirmed that the conference is not the end of the journey for these projects. They will continue to offer capacity-building sessions and expert consultations over the next few months, with the potential to bring viable action plans to a global audience.
Participants were also encouraged to submit their plans to the 2026 edition of Generation Hope Goals: Actions for the SDGs.
The conference reinforced the idea that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are catalysts for change today.
Lim Choon Choon, Deputy General Manager of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), stated, “The future of sustainable development is being written now, by young people who refuse to accept the status quo. TIYA Conference is proud to be a platform that not only amplifies their voices but also equips them with the means to act.”
