RAIN 2026 Empowers Younger Generation As International Rainforest Ambassadors

IPOH, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The Rainforest Ambassador International Network (RAIN) 2026 programme serves as a platform to build an international network of youth sharing aspirations for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage.

The Pulau Banding Foundation (PBF) in a statement said that RAIN 2026 brings together youth participants and representatives from eight countries, namely Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Yemen and Nigeria.

"Through RAIN, participants are exposed to direct learning experiences in a tropical rainforest environment, while interacting with researchers, biodiversity experts, indigenous communities, educational institutions and various stakeholders," according to the statement.

RAIN 2026, organised by PBF and UMK Tropical Rainforest Research Centre (UMK-TRaCe) in collaboration with various educational institutions, youth organisations, communities and the private sector, took place from Aug 23 to yesterday (Sept 4).

The event's co-organisers comprise AIESEC UM, Yayasan EMKAY, Green Campus UiTM Perak Seri Iskandar Campus, Kolej Casuarina UiTM Selangor Puncak Alam Campus, TRaCe Research and Conservation eXplorers (TREX), Belum Forest Friends, Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Center (TRCRC) and Belum Rainforest Resort (BRR).

The programme also received support from the National Commission for UNESCO Malaysia, Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd and the EMKAY Group.

RAIN 2026 involves three main locations, namely TRCRC Elmina, Selangor; Pulau Banding and the Belum-Temengor Rainforest landscape, Gerik; and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar Campus.

PBF said RAIN is an initiative to cultivate a new generation of young leaders who are responsible towards the environment through immersive learning experiences in the Belum-Temengor Rainforest landscape, one of the important tropical rainforest areas in terms of biodiversity and natural heritage.

"This programme combines five main pillars, namely the environment, sustainability, heritage, conservation, and science and technology," according to the statement.

According to PBF, this approach allows participants to gain practical experience related to biodiversity documentation, environmental monitoring, habitat conservation, traditional knowledge, and the use of science and technology in conservation efforts.

PBF said that one of the main activities of RAIN 2026 is the exploration of biodiversity in Royal Belum and Pulau Banding, which provides participants the opportunity to closely observe the diversity of tropical rainforest flora and fauna.

The programme also highlights social and cultural dimensions through visits and community service activities with the Orang Asli community in Royal Belum and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan RPS Banun, Gerik.

The implementation of RAIN 2026 is also in line with UNESCO's priorities in the fields of education, science, culture and youth engagement, including through the approach of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and experiential learning.

"This programme also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals," said the statement.

PBF manager Zulfadhlan Ahmad Khushairi said in the same statement that RAIN was developed with the aspiration to shape a generation of young people who not only understand the importance of rainforests but are also capable of being conservation drivers in their respective communities and countries.

"We want every participant to return as a Rainforest Ambassador, bringing with them knowledge, experience, and a sense of responsibility to protect the rainforest and biodiversity, not only in Malaysia but also in their own countries," he said.

Meanwhile, UMK-TRaCe director Dr. Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Karim, in the same statement, said that the approach of direct field learning provides an experience that cannot be fully obtained through conventional learning.

-- BERNAMA