Student Voice in Action: ISKL Hosts the 2026 Service & Sustainability Youth Summit KL

In April, ISKL welcomed more than 150 students from international schools and refugee learning centers across Kuala Lumpur for the 2026 Service & Sustainability Youth Summit KL. The event brought together young people with a shared desire to take action, exchange ideas, and explore how service and sustainability can create meaningful change in their communities.

Organized and hosted by ISKL’s High School Service & Sustainability Council, led by students Clara Y. (‘27), Andre A. (‘27), Yichen F. (‘28), Dahyun K. (‘27), and fellow Council members, the Summit returned for its second year with the theme One Planet, One Chance. The Council, which meets weekly to build partnerships, lead sustainability initiatives, and organize service opportunities across the school, designed the event to center student voice, collaboration, and action.

From the outset, the atmosphere reflected that purpose. Students from different schools and backgrounds quickly found common ground, with conversations continuing throughout the day as ideas, experiences, and perspectives were shared. That sense of connection extended beyond the workshop spaces as participants took part in a sustainability scavenger hunt through ISKL’s Eco Garden, led by Service & Sustainability Manager Ms. Izyan Rezali. As students explored cocoa and durian trees alongside other natural features of the campus, the activity created further opportunities for collaboration, conversation, and shared discovery

For Clara Y. (‘27), one of the most meaningful aspects of the Summit was the sense of connection it created. “One of the biggest things I took away from the Summit was how it brought everyone together - students from refugee learning centers, international schools, and different backgrounds all collaborating and learning from one another. It reminded me that service is most meaningful when it creates genuine human connection. I also realized that small actions still matter. Even simple efforts, conversations, or ideas can have a real impact, and meaningful change often begins with small but consistent steps.”

At ISKL, service learning is not viewed as an occasional experience or an addition to academic learning. From Elementary School through Middle and High School, students are encouraged to engage with their communities, develop empathy, and understand the impact they can have on the world around them. Experiences like the Summit reflect ISKL’s Vision to Know Yourself, Care for All, and Create a Better World. Through service learning, collaboration, and real-world engagement, students are encouraged to better understand themselves, develop empathy for others, and take meaningful action within their communities.

The Service & Sustainability Council embodies that long-term commitment. Alongside hosting the Summit, students involved in the Council have organized IASAS Service Conferences, led zero-waste initiatives on campus, and partnered with local organizations to support sustainability efforts both within and beyond ISKL.

The Summit itself was intentionally designed to move beyond discussion and into action. Students who attended the optional pre-Summit session on Friday evening had additional time to connect with facilitators, begin building relationships, and explore the themes that would shape the following day’s workshops and activities.

Saturday’s program opened with a welcome from ISKL High School Principal Mr. Jeff Farrington before keynote speaker and facilitator Mr. Aaron Moniz of Inspire Citizens guided students through the Summit’s central challenge: developing realistic and impactful sustainability projects that could be implemented within their own schools and communities.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Moniz shared: “This Summit emphasized service and sustainability as pathways for empowering youth to make a difference now while shaping the future, encouraging a shift from an “ego-system” mindset of “me” to an “eco-system” mindset of “us”.”

Throughout the day, students explored how changing mindsets, behaviors, and actions can lead to meaningful impact through service learning rooted in collaboration and shared understanding. Working in mixed-school teams, students connected their own talents and passions to local and global issues before developing youth-led action plans to pitch to their peers.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the day, Mr. Moniz added: “Students built skills, deepened their understanding, and left seeing themselves as empowered changemakers capable of taking informed, intentional action in their communities.”

The workshops brought those ideas to life through a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Students explored human-wildlife coexistence with the Animal Neighbours Project, learned about global access to sport through the Badminton World Federation’s Shuttle Time initiative, and took part in collaborative problem-solving challenges designed to strengthen teamwork and creative thinking. Other sessions focused on social entrepreneurship, biotechnology, humanitarian advocacy, palliative care, and sustainable community initiatives.

A highlight of the day was the student-led “treasure hunt” activity, where participants worked in mixed teams to solve sustainability-focused challenges together. From pitching meaningful action solutions to collaborative games like the corn hole toss challenge, students from international schools and refugee learning centers connected through teamwork, conversation, and shared problem-solving.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Chika Kumashiro Wilms, Faculty Advisor to ISKL’s Service & Sustainability Council, shared: “One of the most rewarding parts of the Summit was watching students from such different backgrounds come together so naturally through the collaborative activities and solution pitches. What began as an icebreaker quickly became genuine teamwork, with students learning from one another while tackling sustainability challenges together. It was also incredibly meaningful to see members of the wider ISKL community, including alumni connections, helping bring workshop providers and participants together in a way that made the event feel truly authentic and community-driven.

For many students, one of the most memorable parts of the Summit was the opportunity to learn directly from people already creating change within their communities. Andre A. (‘27) spoke about the strong sense of shared purpose that developed throughout the day. “Something that stayed with me from the Summit was realizing how many people care and are willing to create change. Although the participants came from different schools and backgrounds, we were all brought together by the same passion for service and sustainability. Seeing students share ideas and work with one another made me realize how much potential we actually have. The summit showed that creating change becomes much more possible when people are willing to take the first step and work together.”

By the end of the Summit, students had done far more than listen. They had developed and presented action plans designed to address issues they care about within their own communities, while also building confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to causes larger than themselves.

Yichen F. (‘28) reflected on the realism and encouragement the Summit provided. “Many whom I met during the Summit have great ideas and a genuine passion for change and a better future. The Summit did not reject those ideals, but instead helped students think about realistic and feasible ways to turn ideas into action. It will not be easy, but as long as the passion remains, social and environmental justice can move forward.”

For Dahyun K. (‘27), the Summit stood out because of its focus on action and real-world learning. “One thing I would want someone who wasn’t there to know is that the Summit focused heavily on action, not just discussion. Through the workshop opportunities, students were able to meet and learn directly from people who actively implement sustainability into their careers. Hearing from individuals with real experience made sustainability feel more achievable and practical, while also giving students insights on how they could create change within their own communities.”

As the Summit came to a close, there was a clear sense of energy and purpose in the room. Students left not only with new ideas, but also with new connections, perspectives, and a deeper understanding of how service learning can inspire action.

At ISKL, experiences like the Service & Sustainability Youth Summit reflect the belief that student voice matters and that young people are capable of creating meaningful change when given the opportunity, support, and space to lead. It takes a village to organize such an event, and we are grateful for all those who helped and participated in this event from our school community.

To learn more about service and sustainability opportunities at ISKL, visit our Beyond the Classroom page.