Keynote Speaker/ Session Facilitator

Mr. Aaron Moniz

"Aaron Moniz helps schools around the world develop whole-school implementation programs for service learning and education for sustainable development as a means of developing global citizens." For more information about Mr. Aaron Moniz, the cofounder of Inspire Citizens, check out the Inspire Citizens website!

Ms. Izyan Rezali

Izyan Rezali has been with ISKL since April 2018, where she serves as the Fields and Grounds Manager in the Facilities and Maintenance Department. She is passionate about sustainable landscaping and preserving biodiversity on the ISKL campus, which spans over 26 acres. Izyan’s work includes managing endangered plant species, creating green spaces for educational purposes, and contributing to ISKL’s environmental initiatives, such as planting over 300 Eugenia trees. A graduate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in Agriculture, she holds a Master’s in Business Administration and currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability Landscape Management. In 2024, Izyan and her team led ISKL to win an Honor Award at the Malaysia Landscape Architect Awards (MLAA).

Workshop Leaders

Dr. Eric Olmedo

Eric Olmedo is a sociologist by training. He is currently a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM): The National University of Malaysia, where he leads the Professional Engagement Division.

He is listed as an expert in workforce development and capacity building for tourism and hospitality industry sectors by various international agencies; as such he has led fieldwork missions on behalf of the French Development Agency, the African Development Bank and the World Bank. These missions took place in Europe, South Africa as well as Central and Southeast Asia. Deemed as an expert in sustainable food systems, Eric Olmedo was invited to the UNESCO World Forum on “Culture and Food: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Development” where he contributed to the UNESCO Parma Declaration dated 13 September 2019. Since August 2023, he is co-Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair in Social Practices in Intercultural Communication and Social Cohesion. Eric is also the founder of the Ulam School: a sustainable food education program.

What Dr. Eric Olmedo does in Service and Sustainable Sustainability:

In Malaysia: Together with Andrew Wong, CEO of Hospitality by ACME, Dr. Eric Olmedo implements a short food supply chain based on wild edible plants, connecting Orang Asli communities and 3 restaurants from the OpenHouse brand in greater Kuala Lumpur. Tangible outcomes: lower carbon print, fair trade and circular economy for Orang Asli settlements in Gombak; greater health benefits for consumers.

In Vietnam: Implementing a model of community based-tourism -where heritage food is the core product - together with the Cham community in Ninh Thuan Province in Vietnam. Tangible outcomes: preservation of heritage food for the community; practice of sustainable foraging for as a form of responsible tourism, awareness and education of domestic and international tourists alike (amplification effect).

2. Pads & Paws

Pads & Paws KL is a 100% volunteer-run animal rescue non-profit organisation. Launched in 2020 as a neighbourhood cat and dog rescue community, it quickly grew and now helps stray cats, and occasionally dogs, across KL and surrounding Selangor areas. Their 3 pillars are: rescue and rehome, community stray cat management (TNRM) and education. They believe that real change to the effective management and humane treatment of stray animals will only come through education. They hope to inspire more people to rescue and rehome, to neuter their community animals and to raise awareness of the strays crisis. They also aim to educate others about responsible pet ownership and care.

3. The Sea Monkey Project

Carlos Steenland is an Australian sailor, carpenter, and builder. In 2011, he sailed away from the clutches of normality with his family. During his travels upon the seas, Carlos saw the devastating impact of plastic pollution which inspired him to start The Sea Monkey Project (SMP), which aims to address the plastic pollution issue through plastic upcycling and waste management education. They build 3-in-1 Recycling machines and have generated 71,000+ handmade upcycled products, 27,000+ employment and training hours to marginalised communities and 200+ upcycling machines sold in Malaysia & globally. SMP also customises educational programmes to raise awareness on sustainability and plastic pollution.

For more information about The Sea Monkey Projects, check out their Instagram Page here!

4. Climate Fresk

«The Climate Fresk» is a science-based workshop that aims to educate and raise awareness about climate change worldwide.

It is used in 161 countries to deliver quality education on the climate crisis in communities, companies, schools, universities and institutions. To date, more than 1.7 million people have attended a Climate Fresk workshop.

Based on a 42-card game derived from the IPCC reports, the Climate Fresk is a 3-hour collaborative workshop to take a step back, understand in-depth the science and implications of climate change and trigger action.

It explains how and why the climate changes at the current pace and the consequences of its disruption.

It is a fun, creative and thought-provoking workshop that gives participants the opportunity to learn a lot in a very short period of time for both novices and experts. There is no prerequisite, it is accessible to everyone!

Benoit acts as Country Coordinator for Climate Fresk and leads the effort of the international non-profit organization to raise awareness on climate change in Malaysia. He is passionate about the science of climate change and science popularization. Since the beginning of the Malaysian Chapter of Climate Fresk in January 2023, he has led more than 30 climate change education workshops in various settings and at all levels of Malaysian organizations.

Benoit is passionate about the science of climate change and science popularization. Since the beginning of the Malaysian Chapter of Climate Fresk in January 2023, he has led more than 30 climate change education workshops in various settings and at all levels of Malaysian organizations.

5. Scouts BSA - ISKL Troop 818

Mark Van Cott has been involved in Scouting in Malaysia since 2016, beginning when his three sons enrolled in the Scouting program at ISKL. Mark has served as Troop 818 Scoutmaster in the past and is currently the Committee Chair for Troop 818 and Pack 3818 as well as the Unit Commissioner for Scouts BSA in Malaysia. Mark started his Scouting career in the Buffalo Trails Council in West Texas as a youth and is an Eagle Scout, along with his two older sons, while his youngest son is soon to complete his Eagle Rank.

Scouts BSA is a global Youth Program within Boy Scouts of America that serves boys and girls aged 11 to 17, focusing on character development, citizenship, leadership and outdoor skills. Scouts BSA offers a structured program where youth can earn ranks and merit badges by learning outdoor and community skills, participating in community service and engaging in outdoor activities like camping, hiking and backpacking. ISKL has over 60 boys and girls in Troop 818 and Pack 3818 and has a many decades long tradition of Scouting.

6. Robin Hood Army Malaysia

Sara Malik is the leader for the Malaysia chapter of Robin Hood Army, a zero funds, purely volunteer led organization that aims to provide food security to the less fortunate. With chapters in over 400 cities across the world, the goal is simple: to beat global hunger and bring out the best in humanity using food as a medium. The Kuala Lumpur chapter works to provide ready to eat meals to refugee schools and orphanages as well as dry food and hygiene packs to street cleaners and garbage collectors around KL. Over the last 5 years, the KL chapter has provided over 15,000 meals and over 700 grocery and hygiene gift bags to the less fortunate.

A Floral Designer by passion & a Corporate Trainer by profession, Sara has lived in Lahore, London, Johannesburg, Jakarta & KL & works to empower communities and leave a legacy, no matter how small, wherever she lives. A big part of her floral design work is also centered around community development and sustainability along with skills enhancement for those less fortunate. She has worked with security guards, domestic helpers and gardeners in South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia to create floral products that not only enhance their skills but are also marketed and sold, with the profits benefiting the community.

7. Rebecca Moore, EAL (HS CURRICULUM AREA LEAD)

Bec is originally from Sydney, Australia. In 2018, she moved from Hawaii to Malaysia with her family (husband from USA and two young sons born in Thailand). Prior to joining the ISKL teaching team Bec taught extensively in Hawaii, Bangkok and Tokyo in varying roles. She has a passion for supporting all students from diverse backgrounds and in particular teaching students whereby English is an additional language (EAL). Having lived in many countries and having learnt to speak Japanese, Bec teaches with patience and empathy. Her strong belief is that an exceptional education involves sharing global perspectives and becoming global citizens. Bec enjoys incorporating mindfulness (growth mindset) and wellness into her programme at ISKL, giving students a chance to expand themselves both academically and as a confident and valued member of society. In her free-time, Bec enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, reading, traveling, and creating adventures and experiences with her family.

8. Dr. Hana Aziz

An ISKL alumna, this dedicated humanitarian is committed to the principle that healthcare is a universal right. Her career focuses on serving vulnerable groups in Malaysia, including asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and individuals deprived of their freedom.

Initially working as a doctor in an NGO clinic, she provided crucial medical services to refugees and asylum seekers. Her experience expanded to include roles with the International Committee of the Red Cross, where she visited numerous prisons and detention centers in Malaysia to assess their healthcare systems, ensuring that prisoners and detainees have access to quality healthcare. Currently, she serves as a migration health physician at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN-related organization, where she evaluates the physical and mental health status of migrants prior to their resettlement.

Her commitment to improving healthcare access extends beyond direct medical care. Recognizing the importance of spreading awareness about vulnerable groups, she strives to "make the invisible visible." She conducts workshops, training sessions, and awareness-raising activities, including health campaigns for refugee women and children and specialized training for government officers. These efforts aim to shed light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities and advocate for their rights and well-being.

Through her multifaceted approach to healthcare and human rights, she continues to work tirelessly to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of health and dignity.

9. Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia

The Taiwan Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan has earnestly carried out environmental protection activities in Taiwan since 1990. In Malaysia, it was started in 1995.

In an effort to promote and facilitate communal recycling, Tzu-Chi Foundation has set up 70 recycling centres and 249 recycling points (curbside recycling) in the Klang Valley to encourage and guide the residents in their community to carry out eco-friendly habits and practices in their daily lives to protect the environment. Tzu-Chi environment protection mission promote reduction of waste; create awareness educate and practise the 5R principles of reduce, refuse, reuse, repair and ultimately recycle at the last resort for the society to effectively manage the recyclables before it reaches the dumpsite landfill.

Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide actively promote recycling to the public, and set examples by taking action to conserve resources and reduce carbon footprint. In addition, Tzu Chi actively advocates a meat-free diet and promotes a simpler and more sustainable way of living, which can help to mitigate global warming.

For more information, check out their website here!

10. Greater Action

Greater Action was founded in March 2020 by Julie Das, a French educator and humanitarian, as an emergency response to the pandemic. It is a dynamic, non-profit social organization based out of Bandar Baru Ampang and is 100% volunteer-driven by a team of internationally engaged volunteers.

Our core mission is to help 250 marginalized Afghan refugee families, forced to flee their homeland, rebuild their lives in Malaysia. We provide them with quality education, sustainable livelihood opportunities, artist development, and much-needed general healthcare.

Our prime focus is women's empowerment via our curated skills training programs in cooking, baking, sustainable fashion, and beauty which enable the most vulnerable refugee women to learn, to grow, and to become self-sufficient.

Sujata is the project head of Greater Action. She has more than 20 years of work experience in learning and development and education. She worked with GE for several years and then branched out into teaching and counseling. Equipped with the best of both worlds, Sujata went to culinary school, has an MBA, and has a Masters in Education. In India, she worked with and subsequently was on the board of an NGO, Sankalp Foundation which works with the education and nutrition of orphaned children. Sujata joined Greater Action 4 years ago when she moved to Malaysia. She started as a volunteer teaching English, she has moved on to heading the culinary project. She has been instrumental in scaling up

operations, training, and empowering the women involved in the project.

11. Adithya Wicaksono & Niken Suprapto, POD Foundation

Adithya & Niken are both dynamic professionals in energy industry and the co-founders of the Pendopo Ojo Dumeh (POD) Foundation. Adithya is also a Harvard University alumni and an active member of HACE (Harvard Alumni for the Climate & Environment) community. Based in Indonesia, POD Foundation is dedicated to community development through education, sustainability, cultural preservation and well-being initiatives.

Since its founding in 2016, POD has launched numerous programs, including free early childhood education, literacy and dance schools, meal drives, and vaccine initiatives. To preserve Indonesia's rich cultural heritage, POD established the Galeri Wastra Nusantara, a gallery of South East Asia's traditional textiles. The POD Institute is another key initiative, serving as a leadership and innovation hub. Focused on developing resilient leaders and documenting Nusantara's leadership traditions, the Institute aims to inspire and empower future generations. POD is also actively involved in national efforts to improve mathematical & reading literacy (Gernas Tastaka and Gernas Tastaba).

Through its diverse programs, POD wishes to continue to make significant impacts on its community, fostering education, sustainability, and well-being for individuals of all ages.

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S&S Youth Summit at ISKL