Sustainable Development

Reflective Journal on Week 9 Key Learning : The Week 9 fieldwork lecture emphasized IIUM’s journey toward becoming a sustainable campus, highlighting students as agents of change in addressing environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Sustainability Indicators : Six key areas for campus sustainability were identified: infrastructure, energy, waste, water, transportation, and education/research. These guide practical initiatives like solar energy and food waste composting. IIUM Initiatives : Programs like food waste composting (e.g., 1329 kg processed in April–June 2018), myTREEvolution (150 trees planted), and Go Green campaigns showcase IIUM’s commitment to sustainability. Practical Actions : The lecture stressed daily practices, such as reducing water waste (e.g., shorter showers) and minimizing food waste, inspired by Quranic verses like Surah Al-Isra’ 26 and Al-Baqarah 60. Project Relevance : The fieldwork inspired my group’s SD project to focus on a local issue, like enh...

The Week 8 lecture of SCSH 1201 on the role of institutions in sustainable development was very insightful. It helped me understand how different institutions, from global to local levels, work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). One key takeaway was the importance of SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships. The lecture explained that countries, organizations, and communities need to collaborate across borders and sectors to meet the SDGs by 2030. For example, global institutions like the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) create policies and coordinate efforts in 162 countries. This showed me how teamwork on a global scale is essential for sustainable progress. I was also impressed by how institutions operate at different levels—international, national, regional, and local. For instance, international bodies like the European Union set framewor...

  The Week 7 lecture of SCSH 1201 on challenges to sustainable development was eye-opening. It showed how sustainability involves balancing environmental, social, and economic factors, and the obstacles that make this difficult. One striking point was the global inequity example: an African person earns $2.30 daily, while a cow in Europe gets a $2.20 subsidy. This comparison shocked me and made me think about how resources are unfairly distributed. It’s unfair that animals in rich countries get more support than people struggling to survive. The lecture also discussed social challenges, like unequal access to education, healthcare, food, and clean water. Learning that over 750 million people lack clean water and 805 million face hunger was upsetting. These issues feel so big, but they inspire me to act, maybe through our group’s Sustainable Development Project. We could focus on something local, like reducing food waste at IIUM. I also liked the Islamic perspective on sustainabilit...

  This week’s discussion on the roles of universities in sustainable development was deeply insightful, especially in light of how educational institutions can contribute beyond academic knowledge. The presentation and discussions helped me understand the essential responsibilities that universities hold in fostering a sustainable future. Holistic Education: Universities are expected to educate students not just academically but also spiritually, morally, and intellectually, integrating these values into sustainable practices. Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Modern Science: It’s important for universities to blend Islamic teachings with contemporary scientific understanding, encouraging students to apply both in addressing sustainability challenges. Moral Responsibility: Universities must instill a sense of stewardship, teaching students to care for the Earth and its resources, aligning with Islamic principles of accountability to God and the environment. Collaboration for Sust...

This week’s session on sustainable development through the lens of Sejahtera was a meaningful and eye-opening experience for me. Often, sustainability is presented in a globalized, Western context—focused on climate change, renewable energy, and economic models. But learning about Sejahtera, a uniquely Malaysian approach rooted in harmony, balance, and collective well-being, gave me a more grounded and relatable perspective. The idea of Sejahtera goes beyond just environmental sustainability. It includes spiritual, emotional, social, and intellectual well-being, reflecting a more holistic view of life. I especially appreciated how the concept was broken down into practical aspects, including its integration through frameworks like KhAIR (Knowledge, Honesty, Accountability, Integrity, Responsibility) and F.A.S.T (Faith, Action, Sincerity, Truth). These values are not only applicable to policies and development but also to how we live our daily lives as individuals in society. Another ke...

  In Week 4,  we discussed the key agreements, declarations, and frameworks of sustainable development, as well as the concept of Sejahtera and its role in local sustainable development. Firstly we got introduce by the history of global conferences that helped shape strategies for sustainable development. It started in 1972 with the UN Conference on Human Development and continued until 2016 with the SDGs. Next, we learned about the Rio de Janeiro Conference in 1992, which took place 20 years after Stockholm. The conference produced the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 and led to two other conventions that were later signed by countries. Then, we discussed the Kyoto Protocol in Japan, which started in December 1997 and became effective in February 2005. Its main focus was on reducing greenhouse gases. The next conference was in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the main focus was on addressing global challenges like improving people's lives and conserving natural resources, with ...

Maqasid   means having a clear purpose, while   Shariah   provides guidance in life, including faith, laws, and ethics. The main goal of   Shariah   is to protect both people and the environment. It focuses on five key areas:   faith, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth . Faith  helps us stay on the right path, encouraging good actions and stopping us from doing wrong. For example, praying five times a day reminds Muslims to stay connected to Allah and avoid bad habits. Intellect  is a special gift from Allah that allows us to think, learn, and make good decisions. For instance, seeking knowledge through education helps us understand the world better and solve problems wisely. Lineage  ensures strong family bonds and moral values. For example, in Islam, marriage is encouraged to maintain a stable and responsible family structure, ensuring children grow up in a good environment. Wealth  is necessary for a comfortable life, but it should ...

This week’s lesson on Islam and Sustainable Development was eye-opening. I learned that sustainability is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, which emphasize environmental care, social justice, and economic balance. Sustainable Development in Islam In Islam, sustainable development emphasizes the responsible use of resources and the stewardship ( Khilafah ) of the Earth to ensure the well-being of both present and future generations. This concept is guided by Quranic principles such as justice ( Adl ), balance ( Mizan ), and trust ( Amanah ) in all aspects of life. Humanity is entrusted as caretakers of the Earth, tasked with managing its resources wisely while preserving natural habitats, promoting social justice, and ensuring economic fairness. The ultimate goal is to attain wealth while respecting creation and maintaining a moral commitment to protecting the world for future generations. Islam and Environmental Sustainability Islam teaches that everyone has the right to benefit from...

   For Week 1, our lecturer, Dr. Suhaimi, provided videos introducing us to Sustainable Development and the concept of Sustainability. In short, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process over time. It is often broken down into three core concepts: economic, environmental, and social . These three core concepts are crucial as they help balance growth, protect nature, and improve people's lives . In addition, we were also introduced to the fundamental principles of sustainable development, known as the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.   Additionally, our lecturer discussed the evolution of sustainable development, which has progressed from unsustainable practices to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and eventually to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we have today. Initially, there were 8 goals with 21 targets and 60 indicators, but this has expanded to 17 goals, 169 targets, and 304 indicators.