Meet aimed at understanding ways to conserve global commons and mobilise youth in taking constructive steps
The world today is grappling with serious issues of Climate Change with far-reaching consequences for our forthcoming generations. Until now, much emphasis has been laid on understanding atmospheric and scientific changes resulting from climate change. However, the role of youth, their perspective, solutions for change and social implications of Climate Change has gained attention. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with British Council, India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organised a two-day long YUVA meet under the theme ‘Conserving Global Commons: Transforming Knowledge into Action’, as a special event and a part of TERI’s annual flagship initiative ‘Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2012.’
This annual meet for the youth, aims to provide them with a holistic overview of the emerging environmental challenges and to encourage them to play a vital role in spreading awareness on key environment concerns and collectively voice their views and exchange ideas.
Present at the two day event were Dr RK Pachauri, Director-General, TERI, Mr Rob Lynes, Director, British Council, India, Mr Sindhushree Khullar, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi, Mr Jitendra Nagpal, Psychologist, VIMHANS and Ms Ranjana Saikia, Director, Educating Youth for Sustainable Development,TERI.
Emphasizing on youth’s role in sustainable development Dr. RK Pachauri, Director General, TERI said, “I believe the only way one could bring about change in the world is by reaching out to the youth. It is very potent and potentially a very powerful force for bringing about action globally. And this platform provides the young to voice their opinions, concerns related to environmental issues and their understanding of global commons.”
In his message to the youth, Mr Ajay Maken lauded TERI, British Council and Government of NCT of Delhi for their joint efforts to mobilize the youth and sensitize them towards environmental issues. He further added that , “Youth has a transformational role to play in emerging global challenges. There is a need to highlight the importance of international co-operation in the field of youth development and further enhance it to ensure that the youth reap the benefits of the changing paradigm. The YUVA meet is a unique programme for creating awareness and understanding amongst youth by which they can partner in finding solutions to counter the rapidly increasing threat of climate instability.”
Popular VJ turned actor Mr. PurabKohli, along with Mr Bharat Chetri, Captain, Male Hockey Team, India and Ms AshuntaLakra, Captain, Female Hockey Team, India encouraged the youth to take on initiatives for the betterment of the society and conserving the global commons.
Giving an overview of the YUVA meet, Ranjana Saikia, Director, Educating Youth for Sustainable Development, TERI, said, “YUVA meet brought together youth from some of the best institutions in India and abroad to discuss and come up with new solutions to combat climate change. It is not just an event; it is a part of TERI’s larger campaign to create a sustainable society. Youth are the citizens of tomorrow and the group that will be most impacted by present actions around the world. It is important to ensure that they play a proactive role in addressing key environmental issues that will affect the world in the coming years. The meet will provide the youth with an overview of the emerging challenges of climate change and enable them to play a pivotal role in spreading the knowledge on key environmental concerns. YUVA meet is a platform from young people from all over the country to collectively air their views, exchange ideas and form a common network hereby reaching out to many more like minded people.”
Youngsters are important stakeholders in any initiative to combat environmental degradation and can be actively engaged at local, national and global levels in awareness-raising educational programs, advocating for policy level changes and strengthening public participation for environmental protection. It’s time that the young people engage in new forms of action and activism to generate effective responses to ecological challenges.
The meet aspires to create change-makers, who through their knowledge, observation, and action, will combat climate change for a greener today and for an environment that will nurture the future generations. More than 200 students from across 14 nations including China, United Kingdom, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Netherlands, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa,
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Swaziland participated in the meet.
Main Highlights of YUVA Meet 2012 were:-
- Action oriented group activities and interaction with young change makers
- Orientation to new and innovative ideas and platform for networking
- Selected student participants will be invited to participate in DSDS 2012
- Selected students to participate in International Student Energy Summit
- One outstanding young participant to be felicitated for the ‘Green Globe Award’
YUVA Meet aims at motivating the youth to play a pro-active role in addressing issues related to sustainable development, apart from providing a platform for youth-led initiatives to showcase solutions both at the grassroots and the global level. The Meet also aspires to engage the youth to pro-actively address local issues and take action. The Meet is a platform for network building for youngsters and ensures a collective voice and engages them in environmental stewardship
