JOHOR BAHRU, 21 Feb—The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with Amanah Lestari ALAM (ALAM), successfully launched ALAM Be-Lead, a pioneering Youth Environmental Leadership boot camp program.
The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of esteemed guests, including Shamsuhaime Basir, the Director of the Johor Youth & Sports Department (JBSN); Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md Din, the Director of the UTM Sustainability Campus (UTMCS); and Wan Faizah Che Din, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amanah Lestari ALAM. Their attendance underscored the significance of youth-driven environmental leadership in fostering a sustainable future.
Held at Hutan Rekreasi UTM Johor, the program gathered 30 passionate youth aged 18 to 30 from diverse backgrounds across Malaysia. These participants were carefully selected for their commitment to environmental sustainability and leadership potential.
Wan Faizah stated that ALAM Be-Lead is more than just a leadership camp. It represents an evolution of ALAM Be-Leaf, which focused on hands-on environmental actions like tree planting and ecosystem restoration.
“Now, we are taking it a step further by empowering young leaders with the skills, mindset, and network needed to drive change in their own communities,” said the CEO of ALAM following the launch ceremony.
The program featured several key highlights, including:
1. Leadership Training: This component focuses on developing communication, advocacy, and decision-making skills essential for championing environmental causes.
2. Nature-Based Learning: Participants engaged in immersive outdoor leadership experiences, fostering a deeper connection with nature.
3. Hands-On Activities: The program included practical initiatives such as reforestation efforts, community clean-ups, and biodiversity monitoring, providing real-world training.
4. Mindset Transformation: This aspect aimed to instill long-term sustainable habits and a sense of environmental responsibility in participants.
This initiative is proudly supported by two key ministries: the Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS) through Rakan Muda: Rakan Bumi and the Ministry of Natural Resources & Sustainability (NRES). ALAM Be-Lead aligns with KBS’s vision of empowering youth as future leaders while fostering environmental responsibility in their daily lives.
As the first-ever ALAM Be-Lead cohort, these participants symbolize the future of environmental leadership in Malaysia. Their journey does not end here; instead, it marks the beginning of a ripple effect of change that will extend to their schools, workplaces, and communities, said Wan Faizah.
Congratulations to all participants, facilitators, and partners who contributed to the success of this program. Together, we are shaping our future environmental leaders.
Ice-breaking session to break barriers among participants by facilitators
