Young changemakers shine at Golden Wira Awards for inspiring social impact stories

From classrooms to communities, from quiet acts of kindness to bold campaigns for change, young Malaysians were in the spotlight as We.R.Wira wrapped up its third season with the Golden Wira Awards ceremony at Multimedia University (MMU), Cyberjaya.

In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), We.R.Wira Season 3 celebrated youth-led storytelling centred on Malaysian social changemakers. The initiative brought together students, educators, and social advocates in a compelling display of creativity, compassion, and civic engagement.

We.R.Wira – short for “we are all heroes” – is a social impact initiative by independent public relations consultancy Centriq PR. Launched in May 2023, it aims to promote positivity, particularly in the digital space, and to spotlight everyday individuals who serve their communities selflessly.

Students from UOW Malaysia Glenmarie, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang, Montfort Boys Town, UTAR Kampar, MMU Cyberjaya, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), and UiTM Shah Alam and UiTM Rembau submitted 19 storytelling videos. Each project sought to highlight unsung heroes making a difference while championing the UN SDGs.

“Exposing students to the UN SDGs promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, encourages creativity and innovation, builds global competence, connects the classroom to real-world issues, and fosters community engagement,” said Centriq PR managing director Jacqueline Arnold.

“These stories remind us that every person has the potential to be someone’s hero and genuinely contribute to a better society.”

From promoting quality education to protecting life on land and tackling hunger, the students’ stories reflected grassroots action and social commitment. Each team was tasked with producing a six-minute video and a 200-word summary to show how their chosen wira (hero) aligned with the SDGs – blending research, empathy, and storytelling.

“Brainstorming and compiling ideas were one of the most memorable parts of this project,” said Edwin Lim Yi How from UOW Glenmarie.

MMU Faculty of Applied Communication Deputy Dean Azham Zahid echoed the sentiment: “It’s more than winning an award – it’s about creating positive change and improving our communities.”

The faculty took the initiative further by embedding it into its curriculum.

“We saw the potential of We.R.Wira beyond a social impact initiative – it became a space for learning, reflection, and connection. That’s why we integrated it into our curriculum,” said Dr Mokhtarrudin Ahmad, Dean of the Faculty.

The awards featured two categories, each recognising three winners. In the panel of judges’ category, the top three entries stood out for their authenticity, impact, and storytelling strength.

In first place was UTAR Kampar’s Hands of Hope, a project that exemplified compassion, collaboration, and lasting change. UniSZA’s Cikgu Syafini: Opening Doors to Education earned first runner-up for its inspiring message and commitment to educational advocacy, while MMU’s Beautiful Gate Foundation was named second runner-up, celebrated for its heartfelt narrative and strong community reach.

In the Popular Vote category, the public cast their votes on We.R.Wira’s official YouTube channel from July 7 to Aug 31.

With 507 votes, UOW Glenmarie’s Zero Hunger: Meals of Hope emerged as the winner, followed by Montfort Boys Town’s Embracing Differences, Empowering Minds (295 votes) and UniSZA’s Cikgu Syafini: Opening Doors to Education (260 votes). Each project delivered a heartfelt message of humanity and hope.

Three videos received honourable mentions for their creativity and impact: Educate Eradicate Elevate and Persatuan Kebajikan Gerobok Iman Hawa, both by MMU, and Zero Hunger: Meals of Hope by UOW Glenmarie.

“We’re deeply grateful to our host, Multimedia University, for opening their doors and providing a space to gather, celebrate, and honour these heroic stories,” said Arnold, who also thanked lecturers for guiding students through the storytelling process.

Entries were judged by a multidisciplinary panel comprising Tracy Leong, Head of Static Data Management, United Nations Association Malaysia; Jeff Sandhu, CEO of 42Malaysia; Norhizam Abdul Kadir; and Arnold.

All videos from We.R.Wira Season 3 and past seasons are available for public viewing on the We_R_Wira YouTube channel.