Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2024
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future
Kuching, Sarawak | 26 - 28 June 2024
Our vision
The inaugural edition of the summit served as a platform to empower young leaders and champion the preservation of our planet's most vital ecosystems. Held for the first time in Sarawak, Malaysia, it brought together the youth, subject matter experts, the public & private sector, and civil society from around the world to set the agenda for a sustainable future for all. Over three days, the summit gathered youth leaders, experts, indigenous voices, and representatives from diverse sectors to spark dialogue, share insights, and drive impactful actions.
Venues
RAYS 2024 took place across three iconic venues:
Borneo Cultures Museum: A home to Sarawak's culture and heritage.
Hikmah Exchange Event Center: A modern hub for discussions and workshops.
Sarawak Cultural Village: A showcase of the region's vibrant heritage and connection to nature.
Speakers
The 2024 speaker lineup featured thought leaders from ASEAN and across the world, including notable environmental advocates, innovators, and storytellers.
Prof. Rajesh Nair
Founder & CEO, EnCube Labs
Nadea Nabilla
Social Impact-preneur & Founder, Azura Indonesia
Rohan Chakravarty
Environment Cartoonist, Green Humour
Dr. Serina Rahman
Lecturer, NUS & Principal Advisor, Kelab Alami
Dr. Ann Ghani
Ph.D, Director, Justice for Wildlife Malaysia
Manoly Sisavanh
Deputy Country Director, WCS LAO PDR
Zoya Miari
Peace Ambassador, Storyteller & Founder, Waves to Home
Dr. Gabriel Leite
Biodiversity Science Lead, WildMon
Melissa Payne
Deputy Director, SEARRP
Rizal Hadi
Musician & Bamboo Instrument Builder
Christine Das
Wildlife Artist
M. Sahzy
Jungle Sculptor Artist & Land Art Artist
Ariff Amir Ali
Director of Advocacy, YUFE MY
Harbir Gill
Chief Composter, Ground Control
Jacqueline Fong
Co-Founder, Tanoti Crafts
Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman
Lecturer, USM Sabah & Founder, Seratu Aatai
Dominique Palmer
Climate Justice Activist
Irshad Mobarak
Naturalist, Conservationist and Educator
Cynthia Chin
Head of Conservation, WWF Malaysia
Hilda Flavia Nakabuye
Climate & Environmental Activist, Co-Founder, for Fridays for Future (Uganda)
Lara Ariffin
Documentary Producer and Tiger Activist. RIMAU
Fenton Lutunatabua
Head of Regions, 350.org
Lily Sir
Conservation Manager, Sarawak Forestry Corporation
Chien Chien Lee
Wildlife Photographer
Shaq Koyok
Award-winning Contemporary Artist and Activist
Diego Arreola Fernandez
Founder and President of Green Speaking
Mark Liao
Co-Founder, Plant for Plastic and President, Sarawak Eco Warriors
Joshua Pandong
Coordinator, Orangutan Unit, WCS Malaysia
Sanjitpaal Singh
International Award-Winning Nature, Wildlife and Conservation Photographer
Karen Shepherd
UNESCO Focal point and Strategic Director
Dr. Kendy Mitot
Assistant Professor, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology
Ezra Tekola
Internationally Renowned Sape' Musician and Maker
Maryam Evetovic
Yoga Instructor & Environmentalist
Kevin Elias
Certified Yoga Alliance RYT200 Yoga & Airo Yoga Instructor
Workshops and Sessions
RAYS 2024 workshops offered an immersive learning experience offering creative tools for sustainability work and advocacy, facilitated by experts and tailored to build leadership in the climate space. Summit workshops reflect the Summit key thematic areas and echo the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on ASEAN and learnings from the rest of the world.
Examples of past workshops include:
The Heartbeat of Borneo: The Cultural and Musical Heritage of the Sape by Ezra Tekola
Hacking the SDGs by Dr. Rajesh Nair, Visiting Scholar at MIT
Authentic Visual Storytelling for Climate Justice and Community Empowerment by Fenton Lutunatabua (350.org)
Sarawak Rice: From Traditional Significance to Modern Sustainability by Karen Shepherd, City of Gastronomy (UNESCO)
Sustainable Intergenerational Transfer of Indigenous Knowledge by Dr. Kendy Mitot & Shaq Koyok
Opening Ceremony
Sessions (Day 1)
Sessions (Day 2)
Closing Ceremony
Pledges & Drum Circle
Agendas
Day 1: Opening Ceremony and Key SessionsRegistration & Breakfast
Opening Ceremony
Introducing of RAYS 2024 Theme
Plenary - UN SDGs
Plenary - Role of Sustainable Travel in Protecting UNESCO Sites
Keynote Address
Plenary - Climate Activism & Indigenous Storytelling
Screening - Vakaraitaka
This continues into Day 2 and 3: Summit Sessions where further presentations, panel sessions, workshops and small circle sessions are held, followed by the Summit Close and Pledges at the Sarawak Cultural Village.