Championing Green Football Diplomacy & The Role of Universitas Serang Raya in Building a Sustainable ASEAN-Australia Future

JAKARTA - Universitas Serang Raya (UNSERA) is taking a leading role in promoting Green Football Diplomacy, a regional initiative that uses football as a tool for sustainability, peacebuilding, and cultural exchange across the ASEAN–Australia region. 

The movement, led under the 2025 ASEAN–Australia Youth Dialogue by Dr. Sheena Ramazanu (Singapore) and Mitchell Whaley (Australia), links sports with environmental awareness and youth empowerment.

UNSERA Rector Prof. Dr. H. Abdul Malik, M.Si emphasized the university’s commitment to turning education into real-world leadership.

“Education and sports are two universal languages that build bridges across nations. Through Green Football Diplomacy, UNSERA is proud to unite climate awareness, cultural diversity, and youth empowerment, translating learning into leadership, and leadership into lasting regional cooperation," he said.

The university plans to integrate the Green Football concept into its curriculum and community outreach, connecting sports science, environmental studies, and engineering innovation. Through its Climate Action Centre, UNSERA will collaborate with ASEAN and Australian institutions on youth-led sustainability research, workshops, and football-based climate campaigns.

Associate Professor Liza Diniarizky Putri, Director of the Climate Action Centre, said the initiative goes beyond sports.

“Green Football is not only about greener pitches. It’s about nurturing mindsets that value sustainability and cooperation. We want to empower youth to take climate action through practical, community-driven projects inspired by the spirit of the game," she noted.

Innovation plays a central role in UNSERA’s approach. The Department of Industrial Engineering is developing applied research in renewable energy and sustainable design to make sporting infrastructure more eco-friendly and accessible.

Dr. Ing. Farid Wajdi explained, "Our research focuses on low-cost solar systems, green materials, and smart waste solutions for community football facilities. Technology should serve people and the planet and this initiative provides a perfect platform to do both.”

By partnering with ASEAN and Australian youth networks, ministries, and sports organizations, UNSERA aims to host regional Green Football Festivals, innovation challenges, and exchange programs. The goal: to strengthen cross-cultural understanding while advancing collective climate action.