4 SDG themed stories I featured as mini-documentaries on Astro Awani!

Many assume that the success of a sustainability program or initiative depends on the number of successful programs, hours or carbon-saving, or even more saddening, numbers of trees planted in any given time-frame - figures that can be reported to regulators as part of the regulatory requirement. We oftentimes, unfortunately, forget why we want are committing to any sustainability program in the first place.

As a journalist and a storyteller, I wanted to provide a different perspective on how we should view and gauge the success of sustainability initiatives. To me, sustainability projects should provide positive impacts on the community and to include the community as part of the solution.

Through the documentary series "Dian" that I published with Astro AWANI, I featured several local heroes, who had made great impacts on the community, in line with the United Nation's (UN) Global Goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG No 1: No poverty

Ageing and poverty - are among the two most challenging urban issues. I met an old mother, who was in her mid-60s and delved into her life and how employment opportunities have helped her to overcome the toughest storms.  

SGD GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

I went to Kota Bharu, Kelantan to meet a group of volunteers from the Food Aid Foundation while on their mission to reduce food wastage while addressing malnutrition among the poorest community.

SDG Goal 4: Quality education

Many countries, including Malaysia, provides free school tuition to their populations and all children are expected to be in school during their school-going age. Despite making access to education more affordable than ever, there are still pockets of society that aren't able to attain formal education, due to various predicaments. I've spoken to an NGO in Kuala Lumpur to understand their mission to provide free education to undocumented children in Chow Kit.

SDG Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Did you know, your unwanted jeans are still desirable to some people? I met a single mother with a mission to keep unwanted fabric (in this case - jeans) from entering the landfills while creating job opportunities for the marginalised communities

Keen to share your sustainable stories too? Reach out to me DM me on IG @shafizanjohari! I see you there!