Last week, Shenzhen College of International Education seemed a little “greener” than usual.
Led by the Student Leadership Body’s Global Citizenship Division, reused newspapers, plastic bottles, and cans demonstrated new value across our campus.
Part 1 The Budding Idea: When Business Meets Social Responsibility
This exhibition, jointly planned by the InvestNow club and the Global Citizenship Division, focused on “Social Enterprise,” highlighting four businesses dedicated to sustainable development. Among them, some explore the circular economy, some use innovation to reduce waste, and others contemplate how to inject more “humanity” into commerce.
We decided to use the most ordinary and overlooked materials to tell a story of “recreated value.” The exhibition title “Social Enterprise” was pieced together from crumpled old newspapers, while the colorful infinity symbol, representing “Infinity,” was shaped from reclaimed plastic cans. These objects, once deemed “useless,” came back to life under the lights.
They were not just decorations but symbols – an infinite cycle between waste and rebirth, consumption and reflection, profit and responsibility. This echoed the “Infinity” theme, illustrating how social enterprises continuously endow resources and people with new meaning through innovation.
The entire exhibition concept stemmed from a shared belief: that truly meaningful business pursues not just profit, but actively responds to societal and environmental needs, seeking balance and continuity amidst infinite possibilities.
As GC Chair Amanda shared: “While planning and preparing these activities, I realized environmental protection doesn’t have to start with grand actions. Even just one act of sorting waste, one instance of reusing something, or one hands-on crafting session can be the starting point for change. I hope we can continue integrating this mindset into campus life, turning it from an activity into a habit!”
Through the process of preparation, setup, and research, we not only learned how to translate ideas into action but also gained a deeper appreciation for the boundless power inherent in youth voices regarding sustainability.
This exhibition was more than a display; it was an invitation to everyone. We hoped that every visitor, while pausing to look, would not only feel the “aesthetic rebirth” of discarded objects but also touch the warmth and power of social enterprises solving problems.
Every item on display was not merely an exhibit, but the beginning of a story yet to be continued – prompting us to reflect: As individuals, can we also become part of this “infinite cycle”? Through more responsible consumer choices, more creative reuse, or even a single well-intentioned decision in our future careers, each of us can participate in this recreation of meaning.
Part 2 Creative Growth: Giving Plastic a "Second Life"
On the day of the event, everyone used clay, paint, and scissors to transform the discarded bottles into creative handicrafts: wind chimes adorned with small ornaments, brightly colored pencil holders, and eco-friendly lanterns to light up classrooms.
Gathered around the tables, although working with simple materials, everyone unleashed their creativity and ideas, turning plastic bottles that were originally destined to be compressed and destroyed at the landfill into adorable works of art.
Yet, what truly made these once-lackluster objects shine again was not just art, but the students’ determination to turn environmental protection into reality.
We came to understand that sustainability is not just a concept, but a way of acting – these actions can be found in the smallest details. It can be using one less plastic bag when shopping, bringing your own cup for coffee, or choosing to take the metro instead of a taxi. Every small change can make the environment better.
Part 3 Reflection & Extension: Planting a Seed of Growth
In addition to the offline activities, the Global Citizenship Division also filmed a themed short film: Tree Planting.
The story begins with an ordinary student. He walks through the empty campus and encounters a “bear” – the Global Citizenship Division mascot.
The bear hands him a “seed.” He waters it, waits, and protects it.
Slowly, a tree grows, and more students join in. Together, they water, smile, and grow.
In the final scene, the student sits at his desk writing his reflection – in that moment, all the actions, efforts, and small changes are connected into a complete story.
The film concludes with the belief we most want to convey:
Real Service, Real Learning, Real Impact.
This is not just the motto of the GCA Award, but the footnote of our entire Sustainability Week.
Through reflection, we redefined the meaning of “learning”:
It is not merely the accumulation of knowledge, but understanding the world, feeling responsibility, and achieving growth through action.
In Closing: Thanks & The Way Forward
GC Deputy Chair Yvonne added this warm postscript for the week:
“As the week concludes, we hope everyone enjoyed the activities hosted by the GC Division! The infinity exhibition made from discarded newspapers and bottles outside the Theatre, the recycling craft activity in front of the volleyball courts, the GCA video playing on loop on campus TVs…
These scenes showed us how small actions in daily life can become a force for environmental protection. Thank you to all the prefects and members who worked diligently to prepare, and to all the students who participated so enthusiastically – you filled this event with creativity and meaning.
We hope this passion for environmental protection continues in our hearts, making ‘Global Citizenship’ not just a slogan, but a responsibility and belief we consistently practice in our daily lives.”
C Chair Amanda also shared her reflections with us:
“This week’s sustainability activities gave me a deeper understanding of sustainable development. The entire process, from the initial preparations to the official launch of the hands-on craft session, made me realize that environmental action isn’t actually far from us. Seeing the amount of plastic in the collection bins increase bit by bit each day, I could feel everyone’s attention and participation in environmental protection.
While planning and preparing these activities, I realized environmental protection doesn’t have to start with grand actions. Even just one act of sorting waste, one instance of reusing something, or one hands-on crafting session can be the starting point for change. I hope we can continue integrating this mindset into campus life, turning it from an activity into a habit!”
This week, we expressed ideas through exhibitions, created action through hands-on crafts, and narrated reflection through film.
From a single old newspaper to a small lantern, from one seed to a forest – these seemingly small things are the truest form of the spirit of sustainability.
We are not just ‘learning about sustainability’ – We are making sustainability happen, for real.
- Article / Amy Zhang
