Edu Asia New,In his remarks, the Co-Founder of Global Kids and Youth for United Nations (GKUN), Dr. Imam Wahyudi Karimullah, explained that GKUN focuses on developing children’s business and entrepreneurship learning, integrated with an understanding of global values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We encourage children to learn about business from an early age in an enjoyable way. They create simple projects based on their individual interests and preferences, while simultaneously learning to understand SDG values as part of global responsibility,” Dr. Imam stated.
According to him, the visit to UNY constituted an important step in introducing the higher education environment and broadening students’ perspectives on the role of universities in the development of knowledge, entrepreneurship, and solutions to global challenges. GKUN also explored potential collaboration with UNY in developing child-friendly business and SDG education programs.
The President Director of the Sustainable Business Development and Innovation (SBDI) Center, Netherlands, Mr. Jeroen Rijnenberg, explained that his visit to UNY aimed to initiate opportunities for collaboration in the field of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), conduct benchmarking of international cooperation management, and further develop GKUN programs as a global educational platform for children and youth.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of UNY’s International Office, Prof. Anita Triastuti, expressed her appreciation for the visit of GKUN and the elementary school students to UNY. She noted that the learning approach integrating business, creativity, and SDGs from an early age is in line with the spirit of sustainable education.
“UNY welcomes GKUN’s initiative to introduce business learning and global awareness to children. Such education is essential in fostering creativity, independence, and social awareness from an early age,” Prof. Anita remarked.
Prof. Anita also outlined the role of UNY’s International Office in developing global partnerships and international programs, as well as potential areas of collaboration with GKUN, particularly in child-based entrepreneurship education and the introduction of the SDGs. In addition, she highlighted that UNY prioritizes students’ English language learning through various programs such as English for Holiday and the Fun English Club.
The visit continued with an introductory session on UNY, educational interactions, and an initial discussion on potential collaboration between UNY and GKUN. The students also had the opportunity to visit the Indonesian Education Museum to learn about the history of education in the past.
Through this benchmarking visit and the initiation of collaboration, UNY and GKUN hope to build synergy in developing business and SDG education from an early age, and to nurture a generation that is creative, innovative, and globally minded.
