Currents of Change: A Sustainability-Themed Festival
On 6 December 2025, the SMU Concourse came alive with Currents of Change, a sustainability-themed festival organised by girls who participated in the 2024 Iceland expedition under the Girls Inspired to Rise and Lead (GIRL) Adventure Programme. As part of the programme, Following the expeditions, the team will undertake a Community Impact Project to extend the programme’s positive effects. Supported by the SG Eco Fund, the festival served as their Community Impact Project, raising awareness on water conservation in Singapore.
Moderated Panel Discussion with Climate Experts to Discuss the Challenges and Solutions to Glacial Melting
Conceptualised and executed by the girls, the festival brought together a vibrant mix of advocacy, creativity and community engagement. Highlights included an eco-themed open mic featuring guest poets and a band, as well as a panel discussion with youth and community advocates, who shared insights on local water conservation efforts.
Koficlay Conducting Workshops on Repurposing Coffee Grounds into Keychains and Unique Charms
The event also featured 13 vendors, ranging from climate advocacy groups to environmentally-conscious retail brands, alongside community partners such as Daysprings, Koficlay and The Fashion Pulpit. Together, they created an interactive space for festival-goers to learn more about sustainability and take small steps towards more eco-friendly living.
The inspiration behind Currents of Change was shaped by the girls’ experiences in Iceland, where they explored glaciers, geothermal sites and sustainability-focused attractions. Visits to places such as Perlan’s Wonders of Iceland, Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, and the Reykjavík Maritime Museum deepened their understanding of renewable energy and climate action. A particularly impactful moment was witnessing the effects of climate change at Sólheimajökull Glacier, where visible glacial retreat brought the urgency of environmental issues to life.
"This impact project allowed me to grow through the process of translating our experiences in Iceland into a meaningful initiative back home. I learnt to transform personal reflections and first hand experiences on glacier melt and climate change impacts into conversations, educational activities, and opportunities for public engagement," reflected Deenah Aliah, a Young Adult participant of the 2024 Iceland expedition.
Through Currents of Change, the girls demonstrated not only their passion for climate action, but also their ability to plan and deliver a meaningful ground-up initiative — inspiring others to be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future.