One of our Malaysian Youth has earned the venerable spot as one of the finalists for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Awards! A proud moment indeed for all of us fellow Malaysians.
Mogesh Sababathy is one of the 20 remarkably impressive young people, in line with inventors, advocates and entrepreneurs from 18 countries, who has been selected as finalists for the awards.
Mogesh’s project emphasizes on the ‘Life Below Water’ Sustainable Development Goal (Sdg).
Mogesh who has just completed his Marine Biology degree with excellence at University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is a co-founder of ‘Project Ocean Hope’, a youth-led organization that seeks through campaigns and youth leadership training, to raise the awareness of ocean issues and environmental conservation.
Currently, he works as a research assistant at University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The organization led by him has conducted numerous community educational projects to minimize littering and unsustainable fishing practices and a webinar series on waste management for ocean conservation reaching over 10,000 people across 15 countries!
The awards have been augmented to five regional categories this year, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.
On 10 March 2021, at the official awards ceremony, will commence virtually due to the COVID-10 pandemic and the top finalist from each region shall be announced as the regional winner.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland expressed that;
Every day, in all parts of the Commonwealth, young people are delivering a vast range of impressive innovations. Much of what they do may go unnoticed or be taken for granted. Yet, often it is what young people do which makes all the difference, especially now at a time of unimaginable human suffering inflicted by the pandemic and economic crisis.
Further stating that;
The finalists remind us that there is no lack of ideas or talent, but of support mechanisms necessary for young innovators. So, our initiatives such as the Youth Awards put a spotlight on outstanding young people who are bringing innovative ideas and creative solutions to support, lead and deliver a future of peace, prosperity and progress.
Last year, over 1,000 entries were submitted from 43 countries in the Commonwealth. The finalists were selected after a stringent judging process across each of the regional categories of the award.
The awards honour exemplary young people from the Commonwealth whose projects make a positive difference in their communities and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Of these five regional winners, one brilliant young individual will become the 2021 Commonwealth Young Person. To broaden the reach of their projects and initiatives, all 20 finalists will each receive an award, a certificate and £ 1,000. Every regional winner will earn £ 3,000 and a total of £5,000 will be taken home by the overall Pan-Commonwealth winner!
Here’s wishing you all the very best Mogesh Sababathy!
