Environmental Conference Focuses on Regional Sustainability and Showcases Brunei Initiatives By Tracy Lee, Head of ECO, International School Brunei
The Environmental Conference was hosted by International School Brunei, from 10 to 13 May, 2018. In mid-May 88 students from around the South-east Asian region met in Brunei to talk and experience initiatives aimed at a sustainable future. Participating in the Environmental Conference were students from International School Brunei (ISB), Dover Court International School Singapore, Seoul Foreign School, Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School and Jerudong International School, as well as students invited from local schools, to learn about sustainability in Brunei. Supported by sponsors Progresif, Standard Chartered, Brunei Shell and MPRT, the conference investigated how youth can help promote sustainability and the ways in which all Asian countries can improve environmental conditions through better use of the resources around us, all linked to the theme of "Sustainable Development and Natural Heritage". Significantly, ISB continues to be at the forefront of sustainable development, with the school having pioneered the ongoing Million Trees Project reforestation initiative, paper and metals recycling, as well as being endorsed as an ‘Eco-School’ in the Sultanate, achieving the BCA ‘Greenmark’ for its sustainable campus. This made ISB the first school in Borneo to gain the prestigious Eco Schools ‘Green Flag’ award. Through the conference, students learned how Brunei is developing its ability to attract tourists, balanced against maintaining its natural heritage and beauty. Students learned how they can become leaders in making better use of resources, actively engaging with their local community to improve sustainable development. They also debated and developed their presentation skills by discussing and investigating how Brunei and Asia can improve sustainable development in tourism, using Brunei as a good example, having maintained a significant proportion of virgin
rainforest and indigenous flora and fauna. Shortly after the conference opening, the day continued with the delegates visiting ISB’s ‘Green Campus’, then participating in a beach clean-up at Meragang Beach, and touring the Marine Biodiversity Centre. Daikyo Environmental Recycling was on the schedule, importantly, as over 12 years ago ISB became one of the first public recyclers. The delegates then camped overnight at the Sumbiling Eco Village in Temburong, a successful eco-tourism business, which combines the values of social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and pride in its indigenous culture. Founder Leslie Chiang started the eco-village as an immersive way to experience jungle life, as well as a means to provide employment for the local Iban community. Students experienced how the local Iban villagers have used the jungle in a sustainable way for centuries. They discovered different types of edible jungle herbs and plants, how to use sap from the gum tree to trap birds and small animals, as well as sampling delicious local cuisine. A particular highlight of the visit was witnessing dawn break over the virgin rainforest after an exciting moonlit trek into its depths. Upon returning to ISB, the conference wrapped up with tree and seed planting and the students sharing their new and pre-existing knowledge in a final workshop. Dr Geraghty, Executive Principal of ISB, congratulated Mrs Lee, the Conference Organiser and all the teams who made the conference such a special one and added, “as well as the overarching complex themes of regional pollution and global warming, we also hope that shorter term action planning starts now." Students pledged to stop taking plastic straws with fast food, refusing plastic bags at the small kedai, wasting less food, buying local produce where possible and, even trying to grow it in small quantities.
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THE FOBISIAN: June 2018, Term 3, Issue 27