Empowering Communities Across Borders: Adapting School and Family Based Prevention for Global Impact

This presentation will be featured at Indonesia 2025, on the 17.09.2025.

Author: Cindy Biding

Abstract:

This presentation will explore how culturally adaptable, evidence-based prevention programs rooted in school and family setting can be scaled across borders to address substance use and mental health challenges in diverse, low resource communities.

Drawing from practical experience implementing school-based prevention programs and mental health initiatives as well as family-strengthening programs in Malaysia, the session will highlight how localized models can be transformed into regionally and globally relevant strategies through collaboration, cultural adaptation, and community empowerment.

 It invites policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to consider how these approaches can be replicated and sustained in their own settings – contributing to a more connected and resilient global prevention ecosystem.