ASEZ Zero Plastic 2040 Campaign Forum

On February 16, 2025, university students gathered at the ASEZ Forum: Zero Plastic 2040 Campaign—an event focused on taking real steps to tackle the global plastic crisis. Organized by ASEZ, the university student volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God, the forum encouraged a practical and hopeful message: everyone has a part to play in protecting the planet.

The theme of the event centered around four simple but powerful principles: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Regenerate, with a creative emphasis on upcycling. Throughout the forum, students were invited to look at plastic waste not just as a problem, but as a challenge we can all actively work to solve.

One of the most inspiring voices of the day came from Professor Yeoh Lean Weng, Chief Sustainability Officer of A*STAR Singapore. In his talk, he shared both the urgency of the plastic pollution crisis and the opportunity we have to change its course. His insights brought the issue into sharp focus and left many attendees feeling newly motivated.

“I think ASEZ is doing an excellent job,” Professor Yeoh said in an interview after the event. “To solve this global problem, collective effort is essential. ASEZ, with members in over 175 countries, is fostering the kind of collaboration that can make a real impact.”

Adding to the support, Mr. David Dao, Dean of Samwoh Academy and Sustainability Ambassador for the Samwoh Group, also lent his voice to the cause, underscoring the importance of aligning business with environmental responsibility.

University Students Inspired to Act on Plastic Waste at ASEZ Forum

Student participants were deeply moved by the discussions. Cherlyn, an ASEZ member, shared how her perspective shifted:

“Professor Yeoh’s talk helped me see how even small actions—like cutting down on unnecessary emails—can contribute to bigger change. I also realized the power of innovation, like using biodegradable materials, in shaping a sustainable future.”

Another student, Zi Min, highlighted the power of collective effort:

“Change may seem insignificant when it’s just one person, but this forum showed me that when students come together with purpose, we can make a real difference.”

The forum wasn’t just about listening—it was about taking action. Participants had opportunities to engage through interactive displays, a photo booth, and hands-on upcycling activities that brought the message of sustainability to life. Students also pledged their commitment to a plastic-free future by supporting ASEZ’s proposals for the Global Plastic Treaty, an international initiative aimed at encouraging governments, businesses, and communities to work together in managing plastic use more responsibly throughout its entire lifecycle.

Through meaningful conversations, expert insights, and a strong call to action, the ASEZ Forum sparked a renewed sense of purpose in students. It was a reminder that change doesn’t need to be massive to matter—it just needs to start somewhere. And for many attendees, that change began here.