A Global Movement for Sustainable Change
A Week of Innovation: 4 Challenges, 3 Countries, 4 Cities
In just seven days, Launch Pad and Western Sydney University International hosted 4 groundbreaking innovation challenges across three countries and four cities—Surabaya, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh—from October 9 to 16, 2024. These events saw over 330 high school students working to create impactful, technology-driven solutions for some of the world’s most pressing issues. With themes ranging from sustainability to artificial intelligence, these challenges demonstrated the power of youth-led innovation to drive social and environmental change.
AI and Sustainability: The Tools for a Better Future
Across the four events, participants tackled problems aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showing how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for addressing global challenges. Whether it was reducing e-waste, bridging the skills gap in education, or managing mental health issues in underserved communities, the solutions presented reflected a strong desire to use AI to create a better, more sustainable world.
“The innovation challenge has crafted and brought the best of humanity, to solve world problems.”
– Phnom Penh Challenge Participant.
7 Days, 3 Countries, 4 Cities—One Mission: Innovation for a Better Tomorrow
Starting on October 9 in Surabaya, Indonesia, the EcoHack Innovation Challenge: Innovating for a Sustainable Tomorrow kicked off this series of events. Held at Western Sydney University’s campus in Pakuwon Tower, the challenge brought together 108 high school students in 22 teams, all driven by the need to develop sustainable solutions to global environmental issues. From adaptive traffic management systems to renewable construction materials, the young innovators tackled climate challenges head-on.
The focus shifted to Vietnam on October 12 and 13, where Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi hosted two consecutive AI for Impact challenges. These events centered around the question: “How can we use AI for positive sustainable social change?” More than 700 students registered for the challenge, and 38 finalist teams—19 in each city—competed with AI-driven solutions to problems ranging from mental health support in rural areas to smart waste management systems.
The final event in the series took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on October 16, where 81 students in 21 teams competed in the last of the AI for Impact Challenge. From environmental conservation efforts to creating global databases for rare diseases, the Cambodian participants demonstrated remarkable creativity and a deep commitment to using AI as a tool for global change.
Youth-Led Innovation for Sustainable Impact
While the challenges were fiercely competitive, the true value of these events lay in the opportunities they provided for personal and intellectual growth. Students not only learned new technical skills but also collaborated with peers, worked under pressure, and received mentorship from industry experts. This mentorship played a key role in transforming raw ideas into well-thought-out solutions, with participants learning how to apply AI and sustainable technologies to real-world issues.
As one mentor in Vietnam, Ellen (Minh) Nguyen, noted:
“It was a very well-organised event that brought real benefits to students in Vietnam.”
The cross-disciplinary collaboration fostered by these challenges helped students gain invaluable experience that will serve them in their future careers.
“This experience is one of my favourites when it comes to education. It taught me many new things and showed me how to think innovatively and work as a team to tackle global issues.”
– Phnom Penh Challenge Participant
A Unified Vision Across Southeast Asia
This series of innovation challenges united students from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia in a shared mission to drive sustainable change. While each city brought its own unique challenges and solutions, the overarching message was the same: young people have the creativity, drive, and skills to solve global problems using cutting-edge technologies like AI.
The collective efforts of the 330+ students who participated across four cities highlight the immense potential of youth-led innovation.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the week of challenges came to a close, the students walked away with more than just awards—they gained experience, knowledge, and a renewed sense of purpose. These young innovators are the future leaders of Southeast Asia, equipped with the skills and vision needed to address the complex problems facing our world.
The “AI for Impact” and “EcoHack” innovation challenges were opportunities to plant the seeds of innovation and empower young people to be agents of change. As the students return to their communities, they carry with them the lessons learned during this week—lessons that will inspire them to continue innovating and driving sustainable, positive change.
The future is bright, and these challenges have proven that the next generation is ready to lead us toward a more equitable, sustainable world.
