KUCHING – The recent 2nd Asian Cultural Heritage Youth Forum (ACHYF) provided a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise on cultural heritage conservation.
The opening ceremony held at the Borneo Cultures Museum on 1 October 2024 was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak.
Themed “Harnessing Local Wisdom, Innovate to Protect Our Cultural Heritage”, the forum was hosted by Swinburne Innovation Malaysia, a subsidiary of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, in partnership with the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Conducted from 1 to 5 October 2024, the forum gathered over 100 university students from more than 20 countries, with the aim of fostering dialogue and collaboration on the preservation of Asia’s rich cultural heritage. It focused on empowering the next generation to take a leading role in safeguarding cultural heritage. The forum featured keynote addresses by prominent scholars and conservators, student presentations and immersive cultural experiences.
YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian (centre) officially opens the 2nd Asian Cultural Heritage Youth Forum.
In his opening address, YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim expressed the Sarawak government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, especially in an increasingly globalised world. He noted that initiatives such as this youth forum play a key role in promoting the understanding of shared histories and diverse traditions across Asia, emphasising the importance of engaging young leaders in this cause.
“Heritage conservation is not just about preserving the past; it is about investing in the future. We must encourage our youth to be active participants in the preservation of our cultural legacies, as they will inherit the responsibility of safeguarding these treasures for future generations,” he said.
A key highlight of the forum was the Asia Cultural Heritage Conservation & Utilisation Proposal competition, where 18 university teams competed for grants from the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Each team presented an innovative proposal for the restoration or conservation of a heritage site in their home country, integrating local wisdom with modern technology.
The forum addressed a broad spectrum of issues related to the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Its core objectives included raising awareness of the value of cultural heritage, promoting cross-cultural understanding and encouraging international collaboration in conservation efforts.
The forum’s agenda aligned with global initiatives such as UNESCO’s call to action for heritage protection and contributed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities”, which focuses on the protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
A group photo taken at the Kuching Waterfront.
Over the five days, participants also explored the intersections between cultural heritage and contemporary issues such as urban development, tourism and technological innovation. The forum encouraged students to take an interdisciplinary approach to these topics, leveraging their diverse academic backgrounds to generate fresh insights and solutions.
The 2nd ACHYF was expected to cultivate a new generation of cultural heritage advocates who are equipped to meet the challenges of heritage conservation in the 21st century. The forum’s collaborative and international approach ensured that the voices of the youth are heard and their ideas are put into action.
The involvement of leading institutions such as Swinburne Innovation Malaysia, the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Fudan University, China underscored the importance of regional and global partnerships in this mission. Supported by the Sarawak government and international student participation, the forum marked a significant step in the collective effort to protect and preserve Asia’s invaluable cultural heritage.
Also present at the opening ceremony were YB Tuan Haji Safiee bin Haji Ahmad, Secretary-General of Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS); Ms Song Chang Hong, Vice Consul-General of the Chinese Consulate in Kuching; Mr Zhao Yinjia, Deputy Director of the Asian Fund for Cultural Heritage Conservation; Madam Amelia Roziman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Business Events Sarawak; Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Swinburne Sarawak; and Professor Wallace Wong Shung Hui, CEO of Swinburne Innovation Malaysia.
This year’s youth forum was co-chaired by Professor Zhang ChaoZi of Fudan University, China and Dr Bibiana Lim of Swinburne Sarawak.
YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu (second right) and Professor Zhang ChaoZi (second left) exchange a token of appreciation as (from left) Dr Bibiana Lim and YB Tuan Haji Safiee bin Haji Ahmad look on.
In conjunction with the closing of the forum, the SABERKAS 2nd ACHYF Networking Dinner was held at the Borneo Cultures Museum Restaurant on 4 October 2024, sponsored by SABERKAS.
Gracing the dinner as the Guest of Honour was YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy President of SABERKAS, representing YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, President of SABERKAS. During the dinner, the recipients of Best Proposal Awards and the ACHYF Video Grant Awards were announced.
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