Living in Harmony with the Ocean: Taking Action for a Cleaner Coast

To foster environmental sustainability awareness from an early age, the Guan Yin Gen Man Charity Foundation and the Volunteer Service Clubs of Yuan Ze University jointly organized a beach cleanup event titled “Living in Harmony with the Ocean: Taking Action for a Cleaner Coast.”

In addition to cleaning up marine debris along the shoreline, the event also included a guided tour of the Yongan Conch Cultural Experience Park, where foundation children and Yuan Ze University students learned about traditional Hakka culture and the evolution of fishing practices. From the historical drag-net fishing method to the stone weir fishing technique that utilized tidal principles, participants gained a deeper understanding of marine ecology and the importance of environmental protection for Earth’s sustainability. The event successfully integrated environmental education with local cultural heritage.

Guan Yin Gen Man Charity Foundation Executive Director Yung-Tsai Wang expressed heartfelt appreciation, stating, “We are truly grateful for the long-standing and unwavering support from Yuan Ze University. From the Warm Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to various educational initiatives, Yuan Ze University has always stood with us.”

Under the professional guidance of faculty advisors from the volunteer service clubs, the importance of waste sorting and everyday environmental protection was emphasized. Student volunteers guided foundation children in sorting collected waste by hand, allowing each participant to contribute personally to environmental protection efforts. Through bending down to collect marine debris, the children learned firsthand about the impact of environmental pollution on the planet, fulfilling the goal of leading by example and prioritizing education.

Looking ahead, both the Guan Yin Gen Man Charity Foundation and Yuan Ze University hope to further deepen their collaboration through more diverse and innovative educational and practical programs, continuing to contribute to social welfare and environmental sustainability.

After the event, a student surnamed Ou from the Department of Accounting shared, “Reading ten thousand books is not as valuable as traveling ten thousand miles. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this beach cleanup activity, where the children and I were able to directly improve the marine environment through learning by doing.”

Another student, surnamed An from the Department of Information Communication, remarked, “This was my first time joining a beach cleanup, and doing it together with a group of children made the experience especially meaningful. Guiding them to help create a cleaner beach was both educational and deeply rewarding.”

Yi-Chun Liu, Dean of Student Affairs at Yuan Ze University, stated that the university had consistently encouraged students to step outside the campus and give back to society through action. The university also promoted regular self-reflection, gratitude, and service, aiming to cultivate students with responsibility, compassion, and care. By practicing the “Three Acts of Goodness”—doing good deeds, speaking good words, and nurturing good intentions—students learned holistic education through service and contributed meaningfully to society.

Dean Liu further noted that this beach cleanup activity was not only an implementation of ESG sustainability actions, but also a concrete reflection of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 14: Life Below Water, which emphasized the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.

Before the event, student volunteers also participated in professional training courses focusing on empathy development and environmental education, enabling them to guide the foundation children with greater professionalism and collectively contribute to environmental sustainability.