What happens when over 100 young leaders from 10 countries come together to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges? From December 5 to 6, 2025, Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU), in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute Taiwan, transformed Tainan into a hub of youth-driven action at the 6th Asia-Pacific Roots & Shoots Youth Summit and SIG Inter-University Exchange Forum.
Under the theme “GenEarth Beyond! Youth in Action,” students from Taiwan, Haiti, Tanzania, Indonesia, Burundi, the Philippines, and Japan gathered to exchange ideas, collaborate, and co-create solutions for a sustainable future. More than a conference, the summit became a living laboratory for hope, action, and cross-cultural learning.
Honoring Jane Goodall’s Legacy of Hope
The 2025 summit held deep symbolic meaning as it marked the first year since the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned conservationist and founder of the Roots & Shoots movement. Her guiding words—“Hope is not passive. Hope is the result of action. CHOOSE HOPE.”—echoed throughout the event, reminding participants that change begins when we decide to act.
From Knowledge to Action & Collaboration: Global Keynotes
The summit opened with a keynote by Lewis Nkenyereye, a Burundian scholar and Associate Professor at Sejong University, South Korea. Drawing on his experience founding the World Alliance of African Researchers, Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and Scientists (WARESA), he showcased how science, innovation, and social responsibility can transcend borders to tackle global challenges.
Following the keynote, teams from National Chung Cheng University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, NCKU, and CJCU presented projects demonstrating how universities are turning sustainability theory into actionable solutions.
Among the presentations, the Hult Prize team from NCKU, Eugene and Bryant, stood out for highlighting the power of student-led social innovation and entrepreneurship. Their session, titled “Can a $1M Idea Turn into a Real $1M Prize? Building a Generation of Changemakers,” demonstrated how young people—armed with the right tools, mentorship, and platform—can develop practical, scalable solutions to real-world problems.
The presentation became a call to action. University students from across the region were inspired to collaborate, form teams, and prepare for the next Hult Prize cycle, showing that innovation thrives in collective effort and curiosity. As the NCKU team emphasized, today’s students can become tomorrow’s changemakers, turning ideas into meaningful impact.
Hands-On Sustainability: Learning by Doing
In the afternoon, the summit came alive through an orienteering-style action showcase, connecting ten organizations and initiatives from across Asia:
- Japan’s Kamikatsu Town: a zero-waste living philosophy (INOW Program)
- The Society of Wilderness: exposing the hidden environmental costs of cigarette pollution and fast fashion
- Davao del Sur State College, Philippines: empowering farmers to enhance fruit and coffee production
- Universitas Kristen Papua, Indonesia: using simple technologies to support fishers and women’s livelihoods
- Chang Jung Christian University: promoting food-waste recycling with black soldier fly programs, menstrual health education, and river water quality monitoring
Through hands-on interaction, participants came to a shared realization: sustainability is not a single issue, but a delicate balance of environmental protection, social justice, and economic resilience.
As one participant reflected, “When we protect nature, we also protect people.”
Local Engagement: Turning Waste into Hope
On the second day, guided by former chairman Huang Xijia, participants explored the history of the TRA Shalun Branch Line, gaining insight into the local challenges and transformations.
Group Photo
2025 6th Asia-Pacific Roots & Shoots Youth Summit and SIG Inter-school Exchange Forum – “GenEarth Beyond! Youth in Action” Opening Group Photo
Encouraging Remarks by Principal Sun, Huey-Min
Green Beautification Action under Shalun Branch Taiwan Railway Bridge
Discussion and Sharing on Youth Environmental Action Plans
Practical Experience Sharing of Youth Social Entrepreneurship Platform- Hult Prize at NCKU
International Youth Action Sharing (Orienteering: Booth Sharing & Action Experience)
Associate Professor Lewis Nkenyereye, Sejong University, South Korea – Youth Empowerment Experience Sharing
International Youth Action Sharing (Orienteering: Booth Sharing & Action Experience)
Hult Prize NCKU Campus Director Eugene and Vice-Director Bryant connect with participants and teachers for future collaborations
