SDGs UNAIR, 24 April 2026 – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through its SDGs Center and international partners, successfully organized the ASEM Day 2026 International Multi-Sector Talkshow, bringing together representatives from academia, government, civil society organizations, youth communities, and international stakeholders from Asia and Europe. The event served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration to strengthen the role of young people in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development.
The talk show was held in commemoration of ASEM Day, which celebrates the partnership between Asia and Europe through the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM), a forum that promotes cooperation across political, economic, social, cultural, and educational dimensions among 53 partners from both regions.
Carrying the theme “Youth for a Greener Future: Bridging Asia and Europe for Environmental Sustainability," the event emphasized the importance of empowering young people as key agents of change in tackling climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
In his opening remarks, Prof. H. Hery Purnobasuki, M.Si., Ph.D., Head of the Sustainable Community Service Institute of Universitas Airlangga, underscored the importance of empowering young people as key actors in addressing global environmental challenges. He noted that the future of sustainability depends on the ability of younger generations to foster innovation, promote environmental awareness, and build cross-border partnerships. Through initiatives such as ASEM Day 2026, he stated, Universitas Airlangga seeks to strengthen collaboration between Asia and Europe while inspiring youth to become active contributors to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
The international panel featured speakers from universities, governmental institutions, environmental organizations, and youth-led initiatives from Asia and Europe. Discussions explored various topics, including climate resilience, circular economy practices, sustainable lifestyles, environmental education, and the growing contribution of youth movements in influencing environmental policies. The speakers emphasized that meaningful youth participation is essential for achieving long-term sustainability goals and ensuring intergenerational equity.
One of the highlights of the event was the sharing session by youth environmental leaders who presented successful community-based initiatives, ranging from plastic waste reduction campaigns and mangrove conservation programs to climate awareness projects and digital innovations for environmental monitoring. These initiatives demonstrated how local actions can create significant impacts when supported by strong partnerships and collaborative networks.
The talk show also encouraged participants to strengthen cooperation between Asian and European institutions through joint research, student mobility, environmental volunteerism, and sustainable development projects. Such collaboration aligns with the core objectives of ASEM to foster people-to-people connectivity and mutual understanding between the two regions.
Through this event, Universitas Airlangga reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainability education, international collaboration, and youth engagement as part of its broader mission to contribute to global sustainable development. The university continues to provide platforms that empower students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of addressing complex environmental challenges.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The ASEM Day 2026 International Talkshow directly supports several SDGs, particularly:
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: Promoting sustainability education, environmental literacy, and global learning opportunities.
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Encouraging climate awareness, resilience, and youth participation in climate solutions.
- SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Highlighting actions to reduce marine pollution and plastic waste.
- SDG 15 – Life on Land: Supporting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
- SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Strengthening inclusive dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement.
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Enhancing collaboration among universities, governments, NGOs, youth organizations, and international partners across Asia and Europe.
By connecting youth voices with policymakers, academics, and international stakeholders, ASEM Day 2026 demonstrated that sustainable development can only be achieved through collective action, innovation, and meaningful partnerships that transcend geographical boundaries.