July 25, 2025 | Jakarta – UCLG ASPAC hosted an inspiring event, titled “Youth as Catalysts for SDG 3: Advancing Health and Well-being for a Sustainable Future.” The session welcomed a delegation of Korean students from Daegu Health College, Daejeon Health College, Gwangju Health College, and Kyungpook National University, seeking to explore how young people can play a transformative role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on health and well-being.
This event was chaired by UCLG ASPAC Secretary General, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and Prof. Park Joon from the Korean delegation. Emphasising youth empowerment and international collaboration, the event encouraged participants to consider the impact of cross-border knowledge exchange. Mr. Changahn Kwon, UCLG ASPAC Secondee from Daegu, moderated the session and highlighted the importance of shared learning between Indonesia and Korea.
Dr. Bernadia’s keynote address stressed that achieving SDG 3 requires local innovation, inclusive policies, and young people-driven advocacy. Health issues faced by urban populations, such as air pollution, heat stress, and mental health, were discussed alongside intersecting SDGs, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Alarmingly, the Asia-Pacific region may take over three decades to achieve the SDGs without accelerated action.
Good practices from cities were shared, showcasing local leadership in advancing urban health. Examples included:
- Women-friendly public toilet movement in Bangladesh;
- Integrated dengue prevention and reporting systems from Semarang;
- Integrated Resource Recovery Center supporting the circular economy in Jambi City and Malang Regency;
- Peer learning and telemedicine innovations led by the Standing Committee of Women in Local Governments and the city of Guangzhou during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- The UCLG ASPAC Internship Programme – fostering youth engagement in development.
Students also participated in live polling via Mentimeter, reflecting on city-level health challenges, the youth role in advancing SDG 3, and how young people could take action, such as promoting healthy lifestyles online, supporting health education, and becoming mental health advocates. The event reinforced the critical role of youth as changemakers in building healthier, more resilient communities. As achieving SDG 3 demands both active youth participation and strong leadership from local governments, the message was clear: with collaboration, commitment, and innovation, young people can lead the charge for a sustainable, healthier future.
