Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia

With planetary health gaining traction as a global movement and problem-solving approach, this trans-disciplinary field is well-placed to provide an exciting and dynamic platform to promote engagement with young people. Previous studies have shown that although there is great energy and passion from...

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Main Authors: Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall, Sarah Hanani Ahmad Tajuddin, Andrew Jason George, Nur Hazirah Marzuki, Oliver Lacey-Hall, Jemilah Mahmood, Gopalasamy Reuben Clements, Renzo Guinto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Challenges
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/14/1/18
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author Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall
Sarah Hanani Ahmad Tajuddin
Andrew Jason George
Nur Hazirah Marzuki
Oliver Lacey-Hall
Jemilah Mahmood
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements
Renzo Guinto
author_facet Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall
Sarah Hanani Ahmad Tajuddin
Andrew Jason George
Nur Hazirah Marzuki
Oliver Lacey-Hall
Jemilah Mahmood
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements
Renzo Guinto
author_sort Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall
collection DOAJ
description With planetary health gaining traction as a global movement and problem-solving approach, this trans-disciplinary field is well-placed to provide an exciting and dynamic platform to promote engagement with young people. Previous studies have shown that although there is great energy and passion from youth, the global planetary health community struggles in sustaining young people’s motivations and engagement in today’s crowded physical and online environments. Planetary health advocates are also dealing with an increase in climate anxiety that has taken a toll on the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people. Here, we review our experience in engaging youth groups and networks in Malaysia through a four-pronged approach (consultation, facilitation, capacity-sharing, and evidence-building), as well as challenges commonly faced by the planetary health community in educating and building a youth movement. After a year of engagement, we found that mobilising the next generation of planetary health leaders requires a change in existing power dynamics to a capacity-sharing model, an emphasis on clear, simplified, and effective communications that utilise the mainstream youth spaces (e.g., social media), and hopeful messages to counter apathy and anxiety into action.
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spelling doaj.art-bce1b2cedacb437d960d927e09a1b2252023-11-17T10:15:19ZengMDPI AGChallenges2078-15472023-03-011411810.3390/challe14010018Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in MalaysiaSaidatul Maisarah Faiesall0Sarah Hanani Ahmad Tajuddin1Andrew Jason George2Nur Hazirah Marzuki3Oliver Lacey-Hall4Jemilah Mahmood5Gopalasamy Reuben Clements6Renzo Guinto7Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaSunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaWith planetary health gaining traction as a global movement and problem-solving approach, this trans-disciplinary field is well-placed to provide an exciting and dynamic platform to promote engagement with young people. Previous studies have shown that although there is great energy and passion from youth, the global planetary health community struggles in sustaining young people’s motivations and engagement in today’s crowded physical and online environments. Planetary health advocates are also dealing with an increase in climate anxiety that has taken a toll on the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people. Here, we review our experience in engaging youth groups and networks in Malaysia through a four-pronged approach (consultation, facilitation, capacity-sharing, and evidence-building), as well as challenges commonly faced by the planetary health community in educating and building a youth movement. After a year of engagement, we found that mobilising the next generation of planetary health leaders requires a change in existing power dynamics to a capacity-sharing model, an emphasis on clear, simplified, and effective communications that utilise the mainstream youth spaces (e.g., social media), and hopeful messages to counter apathy and anxiety into action.https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/14/1/18youth engagementplanetary healthMalaysia youthclimate anxiety
spellingShingle Saidatul Maisarah Faiesall
Sarah Hanani Ahmad Tajuddin
Andrew Jason George
Nur Hazirah Marzuki
Oliver Lacey-Hall
Jemilah Mahmood
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements
Renzo Guinto
Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
Challenges
youth engagement
planetary health
Malaysia youth
climate anxiety
title Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
title_full Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
title_fullStr Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
title_short Mobilising the Next Generation of Planetary Health Leaders: The Dynamism of Youth Engagement in Malaysia
title_sort mobilising the next generation of planetary health leaders the dynamism of youth engagement in malaysia
topic youth engagement
planetary health
Malaysia youth
climate anxiety
url https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/14/1/18
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