Hanoi hosts the Global Youth Summit Winter 2015

Actions for Earth – Global Youth Summit (GYS) Winter 2015 officially launched at La Thanh hotel, Hanoi by Associate professor Dr. Bui Cach Tuyen, deputy minister, ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) cum director general of Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA). GYS attracted over 250 participants including ambassadors, honored guests, speakers, trainers, young delegates, and youth facilitators from Singapore and Vietnam.

The event is organised by Hemispheres Foundation, a Singapore-based non-profit social enterprise, and will continue until 17^th January 2015. GYS 2015 is supported by the Center for Training and Communications Environment (CETAC) which functions under the VEA and the MONRE.

Themed Energy Efficiency and Waste Management, GYS Winter 2015 aims to empower young people, aged 11 to 21, coming from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Oman, and Vietnam, under the guidance of environmentalists, educators, entrepreneurs and researchers to collaborate locally and globally to plan and implement innovative initiatives to overcome natural environment challenges.

“We are very excited to have the summit hosted in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi, where our delegates will have the chance to learn about Vietnam environmental challenges, and together with the other international delegates, develop innovative ideas on how to protect our living environment. These young environmentalists will be a great source of inspiration for other youth in the region to learn more about the environmental impact and take a more active role in their actions for Earth,” said Ann Phua, president and founder of Hemispheres Foundation.

During the next two days of GYS Winter 2015, the event continues with site visits to Pha Lai Thermal Plant and Ha Ngoc Incineration and Sorting Plant for delegates to learn how Vietnam has made progress in managing its environmental challenges, in conjunction with a school exchange session at Hanoi Amsterdam School, along with an educational tour of Panasonic Risupia Vietnam, and the Shoppers Go Green outreach at Big C to encourage waste reduction. On the last day of the Summit, delegates will present their team projects to the audience and a panel of distinguished judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning team to kick-start their projects. The closing ceremony will end with Actions for Earth concert.

GYS Winter 2015 has received great support and contributions from businesses and the community, including Cathay Pacific Airways.