On November 22, 2018, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation hosted its Appointment Ceremony of University Student Environmental Leaders 2018 at the Gachon Convention Center in Korea. Fourteen students from 11 universities in the U.S., Peru, Rep. of South Africa, and the Philippines were appointed as environmental leaders. They each resolved to make more effort to fulfill their duty as newly appointed leaders when they return to their home countries. After the ceremony, students from the U.S., Peru, and Korea delivered presentations on the current status of environmental cleanups in their respective locations and how to raise environmental awareness.
As environmental leaders, let’s take a step toward protecting the world
The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation appointed university students from around the world as environmental leaders who will respond to rising climate change and cooperate closely to help protect the environment. On November 22, 2018, the WeLoveU Foundation hosted the appointment ceremony at the Gachon Convention Center in Gachon University in Seongnam, Korea. About 400 people attended the ceremony, including WeLoveU’s Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, WeLoveU Board members, local university students, and environmental student leaders from international universities. Additionally, Duberlí Rodríguez Tineo, the Supreme Judge of the Judicial Power of Peru (former President of the Judicial Power and of the Supreme Court of Justice of Peru) and Goodwill Ambassador of Environmental Protection of the Organization of American States [OAS], attended and encouraged the students who are working to protect the world’s environment.
Environmental leaders will create a green future for humanity
In her opening speech, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah said practical efforts are necessary to prevent greater misfortune from happening where disasters are already constantly occurring. She called the university student members “young environmental leaders who love humanity and have a good will” and hoped the ceremony would become an opportunity to be of great help for the future of humankind. Duberlí Rodríguez Tineo, the Supreme Judge of the Judicial Power of Peru, emphasized that all governments in the world ought to make efforts to resolve environmental issues. He promised to do this best to improve these matters, which garnered an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Then, the appointment ceremony began. Fourteen students from 11 universities, who have consistently carried out environmental activities in their universities and local communities, were appointed as environmental leaders. It was especially meaningful to witness students from diverse countries such as the U.S., Peru, Rep. of South Africa, and the Philippines to be selected as environmental leaders. Chairwoman Zahng encouraged each student by giving them a Letter of Appointment and a Certificate of Scholarship.
After receiving the letter of appointment, Lesedi Mokgautsi from University of Cape Town, Rep. of South Africa, said, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a university student environmental leader. A person can only make a small change, but we can make bigger changes if we unite. I will make efforts to raise the environmental awareness in order to change Africa and the whole world when I return to my home country.”
Let’s protect the environment, beginning with small things!
Next, each university student environmental leader presented case studies on the cleanups and practices in their respective countries. Seth Siglock from Paloma College in Denver, CO, U.S., presented about plastic waste and explained how they organized a beach cleanup in San Diego, CA to minimize it.
Gioan Murga Diaz from Peruvian University of Applied Sciences presented the topic, “The Beginning of Great Results Is Mostly Weak.” She introduced the cleanup campaign that was carried out at Carpayo Beach, one of the most heavily polluted beaches in South America. She said, “One action is more important than a thousand words. Small actions will make a big difference.”
Lee Da-ryung from Ewha Womans’ University introduced the WeLoveU Foundation’s Clean WORLD Movement, which started in Korea and has spread throughout the world. She concluded her presentation by encouraging the audience to play the role of university student environmental leaders to create a happy future for all people, with the heart of a mother. As the university students learned the importance of protecting the global environment and raising awareness, they resolved to make efforts to carry out cleanups and to cultivate future environmental leaders through green educations.