GATHERING 120 young leaders from five nations, Petaling Jaya International Youth Leadership Camp (PJIYLC) 2026 kicked off a week of cross-cultural exchange, sustainability drives and civic action.
Organised by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the programme marked its seventh edition since launching in 2016.
The event brought together delegates aged 11 to 17 from Petaling Jaya’s Friendship Cities – Bandung (Indonesia), Qingyuan (China), Miyoshi (Japan), as well as Asan and Seongbuk-gu (South Korea) – alongside youth from Hulu Selangor, members of Petaling Jaya Children’s Council and children of MBPJ staff.
The highlight of the camp was the Celebration of Cultures showcasing cultural diversity through dance, music, traditional attire and artistic performances.
The programme provided space for participants to discover each other’s traditions and societal values in an atmosphere that fostered mutual understanding and respect, MBPJ said in a media release.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi stressed that youth involvement in the Friendship City network was vital to building lasting international bonds.
“Friendship City relationships should not exist solely between leaders, officials or institutions.
“Young people must also be connected, as the friendships built today form the foundation for stronger ties between cities in the future,” he said.
PJIYLC is a key MBPJ education initiative focusing on character building, leadership, teamwork and global awareness.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in activities addressing pressing issues such as children’s rights, climate change, urban planning, sustainability and urban farming.
Sessions included “Meet, Greet and Connect” and “My City, My Story,” followed by an interactive workshop with UNICEF Malaysia titled “Our Rights, Our Planet, Our Future”.
Participants were also introduced to urban design concepts through a session called “Urban Planning, Play & Leisure: Designing a City Through the Eyes of Children”.
The module aligns with Petaling Jaya’s agenda as a Child-Friendly City, by incorporating youth perspectives into urban development.
Sustainability featured heavily throughout the itinerary.
Delegates planted trees at Taman Jaya and learned about waste management strategies at PJ Eco Recycling Plaza in Sungai Way.
Participants also visited local community gardens for the “Young Leaders @ Community Urban Farming” initiative exploring food security and urban agriculture.
Educational visits to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Central Market and PETRONAS Twin Towers rounded out the itinerary, introducing delegates to Malaysia’s history and heritage.
Mohd Yazid urged participants to apply their new skills back home.
“Young people do not need to wait until adulthood to make a difference,” he said.
“Leadership can start today through caring for the community, protecting the environment, respecting differences and building connections across societies.”
