Empowering Justice Through Creativity: Highlights from Taylor’s College Social Justice Advocacy Event

18 Nov 2024

4 Min Read

Taylor's Team (Editor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

On October 21, 2024, Taylor’s College came alive with passion and purpose as Foundation students showcased their creative talents during the Critical Youth, Creative Action: Advocating for Justice event.

Held at the Lakeside Campus, the initiative was spearheaded by the Foundation in Design programme as part of its Critical and Creative Thinking Skills module, offered to all foundation students at Taylor's College. It brought together students and lecturers from various Foundation programmes—Design, Arts, Natural & Built Environment, and Business—alongside collaborators from Taylor’s Impact Lab: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and the School of Law & Governance.

This multidisciplinary effort underscored the importance of diverse perspectives in addressing pressing social justice issues, with law students further enriching the event through interactive booths and public presentations. Together, these collaborators demonstrated the power of education and community in fostering meaningful change.

A Creative Showcase of Advocacy

Student explaining her Indigenous Rights campaign poster

At the heart of the event was the students’ Poster Exhibition. Through visually striking A2-sized infographic posters and engaging video advocacy pieces, participants explored topics such as racial discrimination, income inequality, indigenous rights, healthcare disparities, mental health stigma and access to education.

The winning posters exemplified creativity and research-driven solutions:

Indigenous Rights – The Unseen Beauty of Malaysia: This poster highlighted challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including land displacement, cultural erosion, and limited access to fundamental rights. It proposed creative initiatives such as a social media campaign, cultural workshops, and documentary projects to amplify their voices, preserve heritage, and promote inclusivity.
Education Access: Highlighting inequities in the education system, this poster addressed challenges faced by refugee students, rural schools, and children with disabilities. It presented actionable steps to make education more inclusive.
Gender Pay Gap: Through the concept of an ‘Equal Pay Day Bake Sale,’ this entry creatively illustrated wage disparities and called for societal reform to bridge the gap.

These posters not only sparked discussions but also highlighted students’ ability to use creative mediums to drive advocacy.

Interactive Talks: Bridging Knowledge Gaps

Female speaker educate students with insights about social advocacy

A series of interactive talks by renowned NGOs and organisations added depth to the event - they are Freedom Film Network (Pertubuhan Perfileman Sosial Malaysia), SUARAM (Suara Rakyat Malaysia) and Twentytwo13. Through compelling presentations and dynamic Q&A sessions, students were introduced to real-world examples of systemic inequities, both local and global. The discussions encouraged them to reflect on their roles in challenging these injustices, fostering a sense of accountability and awareness.

Youth Advocacy Demonstrations: Taking Action

Two female students holding up their social advocacy signboards at the campus

One of the event's most impactful moments was the advocacy demonstration, where students marched through the campus walkways, carrying signs and banners to promote justice.

The demonstration, which started at Block E and ended at the commercial area, drew widespread attention from peers and faculty. Captured in photos and videos shared across social media, the march symbolised the collective resolve of youth to take a stand for change.

Empowering Future Changemakers

The initiative was more than an academic exercise—it was a transformative experience. By blending research, creativity, and collaboration, Foundation students displayed their ability to tackle societal issues head-on.

The collaboration with the Impact Lab and the multidisciplinary involvement of students demonstrated how education can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy. As students expand their campaigns into digital spaces, they carry forward the message that justice starts with bold ideas and empowered voices.

Passionate about advocating for justice through creative expression? Explore how Taylor’s Foundation in Design hones your critical thinking to address real-world challenges.

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