Panel Discussion (Monash Malaysia)

Small Steps, Big Change: Are We Doing Enough for the Environment?

Using a reusable food container, carpooling, switching off lights when leaving a room, and using water sparingly are all examples of small actions that we are encouraged to take in the fight for a more sustainable future. Unfortunately economic growth is also equated with increased consumption of resources and output of waste.

At the end of World War II, the rapid industrialisation of world economies contributed to the mass production of plastic. Over the next half a century, annual production of plastics increased 200 fold. This has had a negative impact on our oceans and wildlife health, and contributed to the deterioration of the quality of life for some communities.

Join us as we discuss the effectiveness of different initiatives started by various stakeholders for environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on plastic waste.

Professor Andrew Walker President & Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash University Malaysia

Professor Andrew Walker is President and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Monash University Malaysia and an anthropologist specializing in the society of culture of Southeast Asia. He is committed to positioning Monash Malaysia as a hub for educational innovation and excellence in Southeast Asia. Before joining Monash University Malaysia in late 2016, Professor Walker worked at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra where he was a member of the Executive Committee of the College of Asia and the Pacific at the ANU from 2009-2014. His research has focused on economic development and rural transformation in Thailand.

Amin Abdullah Chief Executive Officer for Yayasan Hijau Malaysia

Amin Abdullah is the Chief Executive Officer for Yayasan Hijau Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change. This non-profit organization is responsible for promoting green lifestyles and sustainability in energy, water as well as to promote green technology. All of these initiatives lead to the reduction of the carbon footprint while improving the level of awareness in climate change. Amin Abdullah holds an MBA majoring in Leadership from University Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK) and a Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Tourism Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.

Carolyn Lau Co-founder of Sampah, Menyampah

Proudly Malaysian, Carolyn is a landscape architect and co-founder of Sampah,Menyampah, a volunteer citizens action initiative advocating for a cleaner and litter free Malaysia. The NGO aims to encourage Malaysians to take back stewardship of our environment and collectively raise visibility of citizens power via collaborations with other like minded groups. Sampah,Menyampah's first campaign was Tak Nak Straw followed by Tak Nak Plastik. Carolyn is also executive committee of Free Tree Society, encouraging people to reconnect with nature via planting trees and rewilding our urban spaces.

Ahmad Khairuddin Chairman of Education & Awareness Committee in the Malaysian Plastics Forum

Ahmad Khairuddin Sha'aban is the Technical Advisor at Klang Hock Packaging and has been the Chairman of Education & Awareness Committee in the Malaysian Plastics Forum (MPF) since 2006. He is also the Chairman of the National Standards Committee on Plastics and Plastic Products for the Department of Standards Malaysia. Ahmad brings with him 30 years of experience with expertise in technical, product and application development of polymers. He has given numerous presentations, recently focusing on trends and sustainability in the industry.

Florence Tan Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility, Diversity & Inclusion, Wellbeing at PWC

As the Corporate Responsibility Lead at PwC Malaysia, Florence conceptualizes and runs programmes for PwC staff, community and environment that's sustainable and long term. Her current focus is ensuring that the impact of their efforts and programmes are measured. Her team's accomplishments have been recognised at ACCA's Malaysian Sustainability Reporting Award in 2014 and 2015 for the Best Workplace Practices, and Best International Organisation for the Life @ Work awards 2017.