MAS Holdings, South Asia’s leading apparel tech company, reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability education with the completion of the Eco Go Beyond Sustainable Schools Programme 2023 Awards Ceremony, held at MAS Athena in Thulhiriya, recently. 

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Christian Skoog graced the occasion as the chief guest, while senior officials from the Education Ministry and the MAS leadership also attended the event. 

The awards ceremony, which took place recently, represents the culmination of a year-long series of workshops, training programmes and student-led projects, to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the year’s young sustainability champions and showcase their innovative efforts to foster environmental and social stewardship within their communities.

Initiated 17 years ago, the Eco Go Beyond programme integrates sustainability principles into schools with the aim of inspiring and empowering a new generation to lead on environmental conservation and climate action. The programme has been a cornerstone of MAS Holdings’ commitment to fostering youth-led sustainable development, in alignment with the broader targets set out in the MAS Plan for Change.  

“We believe that the approach and impact of the MAS Eco Go Beyond Sustainable Schools Programme represents our best hope for ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. The solutions that are being developed by this new generation of changemakers have the potential to help Sri Lanka to mitigate and adapt to the rising threat of climate change and sow the seeds for a brighter future. This day is really about each of the students, teachers, principals and community members, who have all selflessly placed their support behind this transformative initiative,” said MAS Holdings Director Group Sustainable Business Nemanthie Kooragamage.

“The Eco Go Beyond Schools programme proves that when the public and private sector work together with people and communities on the ground, we can have an incredible impact. This year also marks the first full year since the MAS Eco Go Beyond programme has been running in two schools in Tamil Nadu. As we continue to expand the reach of the programme, we remain committed to fostering a global network of sustainability ambassadors who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond,” added MAS Holdings Head of Social Sustainability Amanthi Perera. 

The innovative projects presented by the Eco Go Beyond winners represent the insightful impact that collaborative efforts can have on environmental conservation and community development. Through initiatives like reforestation, waste management and accessibility solutions for persons with disabilities, these young sustainability champions are not only addressing pressing environmental challenges but also inspiring broader engagement and driving positive change within their communities.

This year’s first place winner, a Grade 10 student from Sri Gnanodaya Central College, Abiru Sujayana, led reforestation, waste management and mangrove restoration projects, which have resulted in over 95,000 trees being planted, reaching over 8,000 homes and benefitting 15,000 people. His initiatives included creating sapling nurseries and model gardens and distributing plant saplings and fertiliser to communities. 

Emerging second place, Kusal Sachintha of Uduwa Junior School, focused on developing innovative solutions for persons with disabilities, by designing a tool for creating labels in Braille and collaborated with the Automation team at Bodyline to produce prototypes through 3D printing. Kusal has distributed 39,900 Braille labels to date, enhancing accessibility for individuals with visual impairments, while third place winner Samidi Hasara of Bellana Maha Vidyalaya, led reforestation efforts in her community, leveraging a wide network of supporters that resulted in over 13,000 saplings being planted, contributing to environmental conservation.

The students’ dedication and passion serve as a testament to the transformative power of sustainability education and the potential of youth-led initiatives to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for all. As MAS remains committed to fostering sustainability education and empowering youth to become agents of change, the company aims to amplify the reach and impact of the Eco Go Beyond programme, catalysing positive environmental action across borders.