The Sunway Centre for Planetary, with the support of Sunway University and Sunway Group, is proud to be the host of the 2024 Planetary Health Summit and 6th Annual Meeting.
The Centre is a ‘Think-and-Do' tank committed towards achieving a healthy planet for all, and is based at Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Centre is a ‘Think-and-Do' tank committed towards achieving a healthy planet for all, and is based at Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
What We Do
At Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, we adopt a multi-dimensional approach that combines multi-stakeholder engagement, evidence-based research, experiential learning, and community-based projects to drive positive change. Through inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement, we foster collaboration among diverse groups to address challenges effectively.
Our strategies and actions are guided by rigorous evidence-based research, providing a solid foundation of data and analysis. Experiential learning activities, such as workshops and field projects, deepen understanding and foster innovation. We prioritize community-based projects, working closely with local communities to co-design initiatives that meet their specific needs. By integrating these approaches, we create comprehensive solutions that have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities we serve.
Our strategies and actions are guided by rigorous evidence-based research, providing a solid foundation of data and analysis. Experiential learning activities, such as workshops and field projects, deepen understanding and foster innovation. We prioritize community-based projects, working closely with local communities to co-design initiatives that meet their specific needs. By integrating these approaches, we create comprehensive solutions that have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities we serve.
Multi-stakeholder Engagement
Consultative workshop with leaders of the Perak state government.
Evidence-based Research
Knowledge sharing with private sector partners.
Experiential Learning
Students learning about sustainable food systems as part of the Community Service for Planetary Health course.
Community-Based Projects
Mangrove-planting trip in collaboration with the US Embassy in Malaysia.
For science to be transformational, it must be crafted for action and communicated in ways that the public can understand, and decision-makers can act on.
Our Priorities
Preventing Future Pandemics And Health Crises
- Generating evidence-based research focused on identifying and reducing the local environment drivers of diseases
- Supporting policy dialogue that lays out the need for behaviour change and using networks to encourage popular behavioural change.
- Enhancing collaboration across social sectors, including contributing to international and regional discourse around pandemic prevention.
Tackling The Climate Emergency
- Generating and supporting research on the health consequences of the climate crisis in the region
- Using evidence base to advocate and provide technical support for policy change, climate crisis mitigation innovations,
- Strengthening commitments at regional and international levels.
Creating Healthy Cities
- Generating research on and advocating for regnerative economic models
- Engaging with stakeholders at all levels to support transformation of a planetary health-oriented economy and human development.
Achieving Sustainable Food Systems
- Advocating for the end of food-driven deforestation; transitioning away from industrial animal agriculture; and redirecting subsidies to help farmers who are on the front lines of climate change
- Generating an evidence base and engaging stakeholders for broad policy reform and behavioural change.
Our Enabling Pillars
Advancing Communications
The ubiquity of social and mainstream media and the 24-hour news cycle has led to fracturing of societies and an inability to focus on important issues, especially the looming planetary health crisis. Working with media and social media to harness their capacity and power to call attention to ways in which the current planetary health crisis can and must be mitigated are a top priority.
Encouraging Effective Planetary Health Governance
Corrupt practices and rent seeking behaviours by elites that ignore the perils humanity faces are leading ever larger numbers of people into relative poverty. These same elites work to divert attention and focus from planetary health challenges.
Our Values
Advancing Communications
The ubiquity of social and mainstream media and the 24-hour news cycle has led to fracturing of societies and an inability to focus on important issues, especially the looming planetary health crisis. Working with media and social media to harness their capacity and power to call attention to ways in which the current planetary health crisis can and must be mitigated are a top priority.
Encouraging Effective Governance
Corrupt practices and rent seeking behaviours by elites that ignore the perils humanity faces are leading ever larger numbers of people into relative poverty. These same elites work to divert attention and focus from planetary health challenges.
Creating An Education Revolution
Efforts to change mindsets need to be rooted in changes to the way that information is delivered to people, including through education systems. While some progress is being made at mainstreaming environmental issues into our education systems a comprehensive and joined up approach linking research, policy and practice is needed.
Change Begins With Each of Us
The global Planetary Health community is a diverse group of people committed to contributing to a healthier future through policy reforms, research, innovative solutions, advocacy efforts, and more.
