By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 5: Organisations from both the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are encouraged to enter the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia Sustainable Development Award (SDA), whose nominations for 2021 are now open until May 31.
JCI Malaysia SDA is an opportunity for Malaysian companies both in the private and public sectors as well as non-profit organisations and associations to align their sustainability goals to shine a spotlight on the ways their operations are leading the world to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) to make the world more prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and resilient.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) were among the SDA winners for 2020 under the SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities category for its iPeople-Qmunity app and SDG 1: No Poverty category for its House for the Poor Programme respectively.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, in addressing the JCI SDA 2021 virtual press conference today, urged all organisations and companies that have taken actions, be it small or big, to create an impact in the society to join the award.
“For some, sustainability is a buzzword or a trend or even a far-fetched idea. But the fact is that there are many countries, cities and communities that are facing economic, social, healthcare and environmental challenges especially during this trying time as we struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“People are beginning to realise that it cannot be business as usual anymore. All around the world, societies are looking at ways to balance various competing priorities in order to create sustainable solutions for their communities,” he said.
With a global framework comprising 17 SDGs covering almost everything from poverty, health, education, economy to climate, Wee emphasised that the action plans brought countries and stakeholders together to resolve the global development challenges.
“Many of us, whether they are NGOs, community groups, government and even the private sector, focus on one to three SDGs. Without the SDGs, we are all focusing on one cause, one particular interest or focal problem and (may) neglect or overlook the others,” he added.
Hoping that MBKS could also focus on other SGDs apart from the goals that they have advanced so far, Wee believed that they could be small and manageable initiatives and not necessarily a big project but so long it could create a positive and city-wide impact on social, environment, health and economic development.
JCI Kuching president Siew Young Ming and other JCI Malaysia and Kuching members were among those present.
For more information on submitting nominations and impactful projects, visit sda.jcimalaysia.cc or JCI Kuching’s Facebook page. — DayakDaily
