The Conference of Schools (COS) recently gave young minds a platform to discuss and engage in dialogue over climate change and mitigation. The event was organised by Y-East at a city hotel on April 29.
Themed ‘Mitigation and Adaptation Solutions proposed by Youth to Climate Change Challenges in Kolkata and Sunderbans’, the conference saw the participation of 54 students from classes VIII to XII of 26 schools in Kolkata and the Sunderbans. The young minds voiced their ideas, opinions, concerns and proposed solutions to correct climatic degradation.
“This was a very important event for us to discuss different aspects of climate change as we all would face the consequences of climate change today or tomorrow. It was important for us to share the voices of youths on how to tackle climate change challenges at local and regional levels. We will take forward some of the best solutions that emerge today,” said Pauline Laravoire, co-founder, Y-East.
German Consul-General in Kolkata Manfred Auster inaugurated the conference. The first session began with student groups presenting challenges on chosen topics from among themes like urban greenery, sustainable mobility, natural disaster, survival of Sunderbans and more. They were given feedback by experts on their presentations which were readied in three weeks in run-up to the conference.
(From left) Santanu Patra, superintending engineer, C-III, R&B sector, Kolkata Municipal Development Authority, Pradip Chopra, chairman, PS Group, Manoshi Roy Choudhury, co-chairperson, Techno India Group, Rajanvir Singh Kapoor (IAS), managing director, West Bengal Transport Corporation, Nandan Mall, founder and CMD, Hulladek Recycling, Kaliyamurthi Balamurugan, chief environmental officer, state department of environment, Atul Prakash, principal director, RTI, IA & AD, Govt. of India, Kolkata; Col. Indrajit Roy, general manager, New Town Business Club and Ujjal Bose, senior audit officer, RTI, IA & AD, Govt. of India were present at the event Image courtesy: Y-East
The second session began with discussions over the topics with mentors and drafting of probable solutions, which were again presented to the audience.
The mentors for the session included Nobina Gupta of Disappearing Dialogues, Suparna Dutta of SwitchON Foundation, Susmita Guha from Save the Children among others.
The final presentations were made in the presence of distinguished guests like Rajanvir Singh Kapoor (IAS), managing director, West Bengal Transport Corporation; Kaliyamurthi Balamurugan, chief environment officer, state department of environment, Nandan Mall, founder and chairman-cum-managing director, Hulladek and others.
Techno India Group Public School, Garia, Shri Shikshayatan School and Mahadevi Birla World Academy notched the top three positions and were felicitated. Other participating schools included Birla High School, Elgin Road, Sri Sri Academy, The Newtown School, The Frank Anthony Public School and Tiljala Brajanath Vidyapith.