KLF strategic collaboration with Archdiocese promote 17SDGs

26 August 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF) forged a strategic collaboration with the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu to promote the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (17SDGs), aligning with its mission to foster awareness of sustainability through Indigenous language conservation programs in Sabah and Malaysia.

According to Datuk Philip Lasimbang, Chairman of KLF’s Board of Trustees, forming strategic partnerships with various organizations, including the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, is essential for diversifying KLF’s programs.

In May 2024, KLF sponsored the publication of the book titled “Reading Project with 5sMMS on 17SDGs.” This initiative arose from discussions between the book's author, Bernadette Peter Lidadun, her doctoral supervisor Dr. Nancy Chiuh (also known as Noemi), and Archbishop John Wong earlier this year.

“We believe the book, which outlines the targets of the 17 SDGs established by the UN for the period 2015-2030, will provide valuable insights to enhance our programs with sustainable practices,” Philip stated during a media briefing following a courtesy visit to Archbishop John Wong at his office.

Attendees of the courtesy visit included Fr. Isidore Gilbert, Director of the Aspirant Preparatory Seminary; Rita Lasimbang, CEO of KLF; Bernadette Peter Lidadun; Delia L. Olaybal; and Jenny Mosikon from the Academy of Language Studies (APB), UiTM Sabah. Additional participants included Rayner Biam Anjumal, President of the Friends of St. John Vianney (FSJV); Paula Christianus; Mikal Utin (also known as Micheal); Margaret Musileh of FSJV; and Thomas Ralon of Saffronixora Uniservices, the book's sole distributor.

“We are delighted to present 100 complimentary copies of the book to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. These copies will serve as training materials for aspirants at the Aspirant Preparation Seminary and seminarians at the Initiation Year Seminary, St. Peter’s College, Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu,” Philip added.

“It is our hope that the distribution of this book will significantly enhance public knowledge and awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”

“We would like to express our deepest appreciation for the trust by the archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu in KLF in the publication of this book which is the result of the author’s three years of research at the Aspirant Preparatory Seminary,” Philip said.

Archbishop John Wong said the church welcomes the contribution and involvement of those who wish to build a civil and knowledgeable society.

“I found that the content of this book is very comprehensive, and at the same time, it is very practical. It is presented systematically with interesting illustrations.

“I believe it will be a good resource guide that will foster people's interest in the

sustainability of development that should be balanced with faith and spirituality.

“The lessons contained in Catholic Social Teaching can be used as a guide for those, especially Catholics who want to adapt and implement action plans to achieve the targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in their area,” he said.

Fr. Isidore Gilbert, director of the Aspirant Preparatory Seminary said that the contents are very relevant, appropriate, and applicable.

This ‘Reading Project with 5sMMS on 17SDGs’ is a sort of ‘wordy made easy’ through a series of reading processes, he said.

Rita Lasimbang, KLF’s chief executive officer said they consistently establish partnership with diverse stakeholders for the success and sustainability of its programs on Indigenous languages conservation in Malaysia.

She added that KLF has been dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Indigenous languages in Sabah since its inception in 1994.

KLF is selective in publishing manuscripts and the publication of this book was a special arrangement, and the author has been one of KLF’s Network Partners since 2004.

Bernadette, author of the book, said it was written as part of the response to the Malaysian National Reading Decade (2020-2030) initiative, as it supports Malaysia's goal of building a nation of readers.

She has been a Visiting Lecturer in English at the Aspirant Preparatory Seminary since 2014.

She explained that the book is the product of her three years of research at the Preparatory Seminary Aspirant and it has been collaboratively developed and received feedback from stakeholders and the participants during the three cycles of classroom action research projects (2021-2023).

“Reading is crucial for individuals and societal development. It enhances literacy skills, critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness. However, many individuals and communities face barriers to developing a reading culture. Therefore, there is a constant need to design reading interventions for language classrooms.

“The book is an innovative reading intervention which focuses on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has four main aims namely to promote reading engagement and sustain reading motivation among learners, to raise awareness of global issues based on the 17SDGs among learners, to promote critical thinking in finding solutions to global problems, and to inspire actions for positive change through the 5sMMS among learners.

“It adapted the five-step Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (5sMMS) which was originally developed by a professor in psychology, Alan Monroe, for persuasive speeches in the 1930s and the five steps incorporate elements of persuasion psychology.

“Recognising that this book is the culmination of an extensive three-year research endeavour, I am convinced that its contents and objectives are pertinent and in harmony with the mission and initiatives of KLF.

This reading project offers 100 reading topics on the 17SDGs for reading selection and each SDG has 5 to 7 topics for readers’ selection for each reading assignment and it guides the learners to search for accurate information from the official website of the United Nations’ 17SDGs as well as websites of relevant organizations, she said.

Its concept won the Diamond Award at the 2nd International Conference on Biodiversity and Sustainable Development 2023’s SDG Innovation@IBSD and the assessment tool for this reading which was created based on another project innovation project entitled “A Multidimensional Approach to Assessing Language: A CEFR-Based Rubric for Adult.

Learners has also been recognised with the Gold Award at the Virtual International Innovation Competition (VIIC) 2023, she added.

She said the book is well-suited for language educators and special interest groups to use as part of their training materials, as it equips them with an all-encompassing comprehension of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) particularly Target 4.7 od SDG4 – Quality Education.