We created this innovation because many students are graduating without fully understanding how the health of our planet directly affects their own health, future jobs, and communities. Issues like climate change, pollution, food insecurity, and environmental degradation are often discussed in theory, but rarely connected to everyday student life or practical action.
On university and college campuses, young people are full of energy, ideas, and influence, yet they are often excluded from meaningful conversations and solutions around planetary health. We saw an opportunity to change this by turning campuses into spaces where students can learn, collaborate, and take real action that benefits both people and the environment.
Through this innovation, we aim to make planetary health education practical, inclusive, and student-led—helping young people become informed, responsible leaders who can protect human health today while safeguarding the planet for future generations.
In practice, this innovation comes to life on university and college campuses through simple, hands-on activities led by students themselves. Trained student ambassadors organize interactive workshops where students learn how environmental issues like waste, climate change, and pollution affect human health and daily life. These sessions are practical, relatable, and focused on local realities rather than abstract theory.
Students then work together on small, project-based activities within their campuses—such as waste reduction initiatives, clean-up exercises, awareness campaigns, or health-focused environmental projects. Learning happens through collaboration, discussion, and real action, not just lectures.
The innovation also connects campuses to surrounding communities. Students engage in outreach activities, share what they’ve learned, and work with community members to promote healthier and more sustainable practices. Throughout the process, students reflect on their experiences, assess what worked, and build leadership skills.
Overall, it looks like active campuses where students are learning by doing, supporting one another, and taking responsibility for both human and planetary health in practical, visible ways.
The innovation has been spreading mainly through peer networks and partnerships within tertiary institutions. As students participate in the program, they share their experiences with fellow students, student groups, and campus leaders, which naturally sparks interest and encourages adoption in other departments and campuses.
Campus Help Charity Organization also works through collaborations with student associations, academic staff, and civil society partners to introduce the innovation to new institutions. Trained student ambassadors play a key role by mentoring new participants and helping replicate activities on their own campuses.
In addition, the use of social media, campus events, and community outreach has helped amplify the message beyond individual campuses, allowing the innovation to grow organically as more young people see its relevance and impact and choose to get involved.
Over time, we have adapted and strengthened the innovation based on feedback from students, partners, and the realities on different campuses. What started mainly as awareness sessions has grown into a more hands-on, project-based approach, allowing students to move beyond learning into real action.
We added a student ambassador model to give young people more ownership and leadership in driving activities on their campuses. We also introduced simple assessment and reflection tools so students can track what they are learning and the impact of their projects.
In response to limited resources and varying campus contexts, we made the innovation more flexible—allowing activities to be delivered both in person and through digital platforms. These modifications have made the program more practical, inclusive, and easier to replicate across different tertiary institutions.
If you want to try it, the first step is to get involved on your campus. You can start by joining or forming a student group focused on health, the environment, or sustainability. Then, reach out to Campus Help Charity Organization (CHCO) or connect with trained student ambassadors who can guide you through workshops and project activities.
Next, pick a small, practical project—like a campus clean-up, a recycling initiative, or an awareness campaign on how the environment affects health—and work on it with your peers. Make sure to document what you do, reflect on the results, and share your learnings so others can get inspired.
Finally, don’t be afraid to connect with the wider community—your campus projects can extend beyond the school to benefit local neighborhoods, creating a ripple effect of awareness and action.
