Empowering Vietnamese Youth: SCG's ESG Ambassadors Leading Regional Change

The SCG Sharing the Dream 2023 scholarship program announced groundbreaking results from its ESG Ambassador 2024 initiative. For the first time in the program's history, two Vietnamese teams have won the competition.

They will represent Vietnam at the ESG Symposium in Thailand alongside other regional representatives. This impressive achievement demonstrates the tangible outcomes and practical significance of the SCG Sharing the Dream scholarship, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy training activities, and SCG's "Skill Up for Life" initiatives in reducing inequality through education. By empowering youth to raise their voices and share their initiatives, SCG enables them to contribute meaningfully to local and regional sustainable development goals.

The two successful projects, "Obstacle Warning Device for the Blind people" by Team B-Wings and "Garbage enzyme from organic waste" by Team Garbage Enzyme, showcase the creativity and social consciousness of Vietnam's youth.

Team B-Wings has developed an innovative and affordable wearable technology designed to assist the blind people. They recognized the challenges faced by blind individuals, particularly in developing countries where assistive technologies are often too expensive. The team developed a small, waist-worn device using eco-friendly materials that utilizes sensors to detect obstacles from knee to chest height, complementing traditional guide canes. This device alerts users through vibration or audio signals, significantly enhancing their mobility and independence.

Team Garbage Enzyme’s project proposes an eco-friendly method to convert organic waste into multipurpose solutions. The project will utilize agricultural by-products and waste, such as vegetable peels, fruit scraps, and unsold produce from supermarkets and stores, that would otherwise be discarded. These organic materials will be turned into "garbage enzymes", a versatile product that can be used for cleaning household items, floors, and furniture, as well as for pest control, organic fertilizers, and bio-pesticides. The team also plans to design appropriate packaging and labels for the final product, promoting a circular economy approach while addressing waste management and sustainable product creation.

Both teams have been awarded funding to implement their projects and have been named ASEAN Ambassadors. They will have the chance to attend and present their innovative ideas at the ESG Symposium in Thailand at the end of 2024. This prestigious platform offers Vietnamese youth the opportunity to showcase their solutions on an international stage, contributing to the discussion on crucial ESG challenges across the ASEAN region.

"SCG is an Organization of Possibilities where we believe in the Individuals and especially the transformative power of youth," stated Mr. Praween Wirotpan, Deputy Country Director – Vietnam, SCG. "Our ESG Ambassador program goes beyond just supporting ideas; it empowers young people to develop and implement practical, feasible initiatives that address real-world challenges. By equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to turn innovative concepts into tangible solutions, we're nurturing a generation of socially responsible leaders. Our goal is to foster youth who are not only well-versed in ESG principles but also capable of applying them to create sustainable, positive changes in their communities and across the region."

The journey to success began with the SCG Sharing the Dream 2023 scholarship program, which initiated a comprehensive ESG Engagement initiative. Scholars took part in extensive training sessions on sustainable development and ESG principles, designed to nurture their ideas and skills through real social projects. The program also included enlightening ESG factory tours of SCG’s member companies in Vinh Phuc and Long An, allowing participants to observe SCG's green activities firsthand. Building on this foundation, scholars then proposed real-world ESG projects through the "Community Projects in Vietnam" online competition. Throughout each round of the competition, SCG and dedicated mentors provided continuous support, offering valuable advice, expertise, and feedback to help participants refine and enhance their projects.

Nguyen Duy Khang, a representative from the B-Wings team shared, "SCG's platform was instrumental in shaping our project and giving us the courage to present our community-focused ideas. The comprehensive training sessions provided us with a strong foundation in ESG concepts and social responsibility, while the factory tours showed us real-world applications of sustainable practices and inclusive design. The ESG camps were particularly valuable, offering an immersive environment for collaboration and idea refinement. SCG's support went far beyond education - it was truly inspirational, demonstrating how businesses can drive positive social change. Reaching the international level is both thrilling and humbling. We're excited to represent Vietnam and show how technology, inspired by ESG principles, can genuinely improve lives."

"SCG has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of ESG principles and supporting the development of our project," said Tran Minh Thien from Team Garbage Enzyme when discussing plans as an ESG Ambassador. "As an ASEAN Ambassador, I'm excited to pay it forward. We plan to organize workshops and community events that will educate young people about ESG concepts engagingly and practically. Our goal is to inspire critical thinking about sustainability and empower the next generation to take action. By sharing our journey and the lessons we've learned, we hope to ignite a passion for sustainable innovation among youth across the region."

Both Vietnamese teams have achieved a significant milestone by winning the ESG Ambassador competition, marking the first time in the event's history. This outstanding achievement highlights the substantial impact and great potential of the projects presented by young Vietnamese participants. It serves as proof of SCG's success in nurturing local talent and demonstrates the ability of Vietnamese youth to create influential, sustainable solutions for urgent global challenges.

SCG's "Skill Up for Life" initiatives, including the ESG Ambassador program, aim to reduce inequality through education. By promoting an ESG mindset among young people, these initiatives not only prepare them for the future but also empower them to shape it. As these young ambassadors prepare to present their ideas in Thailand, they carry with them the hopes and innovative spirit of Vietnam, poised to make a significant impact on the global ESG landscape.

For the opportunity to become an ESG ambassador with SCG Sharing The Dream Scholarship, visit https://scg.sac.vn/.

Van Luong - Vietnam Business Forum