From Ideas to Action: MCU Students Explore Global Issues through SDGs Series

This semester, the English Language Centre brought the SDGs to life through the “From Ideas to Action: SDGs Series”, a collection of activities designed to help students explore global issues in a more interactive and engaging way. From film screenings and lively discussions to a seminar and presentation contest, the series encouraged students to think beyond the classroom and connect the SDGs with everyday life.

The series began with screenings of the documentary Bigger Than Us on both the Taipei and Taoyuan campuses. The film follows Indonesian youth activist Melati Wijsen as she travels around the world meeting inspiring young changemakers working on issues such as climate justice, education inequality, and human rights. After the screening, students joined group discussions to share their thoughts on the film and reflect on how young people like themselves can create positive social change in Taiwan and beyond. Many participants described the film as inspiring and eye-opening, and it reminded them that even small actions can make a meaningful difference.

The series also featured a seminar led by Amnesty International focusing on equality and anti-discrimination. The speaker for the seminar was Jing-Jie Chen, Policy and Advocacy Officer at Amnesty International. Through real-life examples and interactive discussions, students explored how human rights and the SDGs are closely connected within the context of Taiwan. Topics included international human rights treaties and the working conditions of migrant workers in Taiwan. The seminar encouraged students to think more critically about fairness, inclusion, and the role individuals can play in building a more equal society.

The highlight of the series was the SDGs Presentation Contest, where students from different departments took the stage to share their ideas on global challenges. After a competitive preliminary round, finalists presented in front of judges, teachers, and fellow students. Throughout the contest, participants delivered passionate and thought-provoking presentations on topics such as climate change, gender equality, mental health, education inequality, and sustainable consumption. Many students connected these global issues to their own experiences at MCU and to the communities they come from, making their presentations both personal and relatable.

The contest aimed not only to strengthen students’ English presentation and public speaking skills, but also to encourage them to think critically and creatively about sustainability and the future of our communities. It is very encouraging to see that MCU students are highly aware of the challenges facing the world today and are eager to become part of the solution.

The winners of the contest were:

Group A (Non-English Major / Non-IC Students)
1st Place: Dinh Yen Link (Jennie)- School of Health and Medical Engineering
2nd Place: Naomi Gracia 李悅恩- Department of International Business
3rd Place: Dora W.T. Chou 周威彤- Department of Criminal Justice
Honorable Mention: Ho Pui Shan 何佩珊- Department of Digital Media Design

Group B (English Major / IC Students)
1st Place: Lucas 阮伯嘉顯- Information Technology Program, International College
2nd Place: Alma Di Marco 郭芷怡- International Affairs and Diplomacy Program, International College
3rd Place: Osbert Wang 王勇興- Information Technology Program, International College
Honorable Mention: Renedds Davis 戴芮沙- Information Technology Program, International College

Through the SDGs Series, the university hopes to encourage more students to pay attention to sustainability and global citizenship. More importantly, the events reminded everyone that the SDGs are not just ideas discussed in textbooks or international conferences- they can begin with our everyday choices and actions. Although the series has come to an end, the conversations and ideas sparked by these activities will hopefully continue far beyond the classroom. Don’t forget- every small action can help create a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Congratulations once again to all winners and participants! We look forward to seeing even more students joining our SDGs journey next year.