Eylccc Report

EYLCCC Pariwartan’s Flagship Programme on promoting Youth Leadership to take actions over Climate Change

A TwoTwo-day Training Program on

Enabling Young Leaders to

Combat Climate Change Organized byby-

From August 12 to 13, 2008 At Rotary Town Hall, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

INTRODUCTION CLIMATE CHANGE has emerged as the most critical and threatening challenge before the world in the 21st century. Despite of several policy-related initiatives taken in order to tackle this challenge, the conceptual understanding and approach towards “acting locally” has not been realized yet so far. It is unanimously believed that aware and motivated Youth, well-equipped with “in-depth” knowledge over the aspects related to climate change, will be of immense potential for making the communities aware & sensitive towards the environment and for taking actions in defence of the earth. United Nations has underpinned the role of youth in tackling with the climate change challenge and has declared the theme of the INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2008 as “Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action”. Considering the capacity building of youth over the Climate Change as the most basic step towards the promotion of sustainable actions for combating this problem, Pariwartan organized a 2-day long training program for the Youth Leaders from district Shimla from August 12 to 13, 2008 at the Rotary Town Hall, The Mall, Shimla. The training program christened as “Enabling Young Leaders to Combat Climate Change” is the first of its kind program in Himachal Pradesh and the organization aims to replicate the same at other parts of the state. In order to maximize the outreach of the program, the organization partnered with relevant Government Departments, Business Groups, NGOs, CBOs, Educational Institutions, Media and Youth Associations. The resource persons for the training were renowned subject matter specialists from

Forest

Department, Non Governmental Organizations and Environmental Advocacy Groups. 50 trainees belonging to 16-25 years age-group attended this training program with great enthusiasm and interest. These young leaders will now act as the Awareness Promoters and change makers over the various aspects related to Climate Change, its impacts and consequences at local level and will also take focused actions through a Youth Task Force. By joining this youth movement against climate change, these participants have naturally become a part of the INDIAN YOUTH CLIMATE NETWORK (IYCN), a coalition uniting Indian youth and Indian youth oriented organizations who are concerned about climate change. Contributing its efforts to this great movement, PARIWARTAN is coordinating the initiatives undertaken by IYCN at Himachal Pradesh level and enhancing the outreach of IYCN in the state. Making this small endeavor transform into a grand drive against climate change, PARIWARTAN will soon organize a series of Training of Trainers (ToT) for the capable and self-motivated participants which will enhance their skills and capacity to take more focused and determined actions against the factors that contribute to the Climate Change at various levels including the self level, family level and community levels. PARIWARTAN encourages the Youth of Himachal Pradesh to come ahead and reveal their potential to become a Climate Leader, a leader who is concerned not only about his/her own future, but also about the future of the coming generations.

EVENT DETAILS OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING: • To enhance the understanding of Young Leaders on the issues pertaining to the Climate Change and the possible solutions to this problem. • To build their capacities by providing them with the most required leadership skills and knowledge for becoming a Climate Leader. • To constitute a Youth Task Force for taking sincere actions against climate change at local and regional levels.

METHODOLOGY:
PowerPoint Presentations with Illustrations on White Board.
Showcasing of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”
Interactive discussions between the speakers and participants during presentations.
Written exercises to examine the skills & knowledge level of participants.
Questions round after every presentation for doubts clearance and query redressal.
Group discussions among the participants and speakers over future course of action.

RESOURCE PERSONS: Senior officials from different Government Departments, Non Governmental Organizations and Environmental Advocacy Groups having expertise in different issues interconnected with the climate change and its solutions1. Mr. J. S. Walia (IFS), CEO- ET & CCF, H.P. Forest Department 2. Dr. R.K. Sood, JMS, H.P. State Council for Science, Technology & Environment 3. Mr. Surender Kumar (IFS), Director- South, H.P. State Forest Corporation Ltd. 4. Mr. G. S. Thakur (HPFS), H.P. State Forest Corporation Ltd. 5. Mr. Farhad Vania, GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH) 6. Mr. Anand Sharma (Advocate), H.P. High Court

PARTICIPANTS: 50 Young Leaders belonging to the following colleges1. Rajkeeya Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (RKMV), Longwood, Shimla 2. Rajeev Gandhi Government Degree College, Kotshera, Shimla 3. Centre of Excellence- Government Degree College Sanjauli, Shimla

ANCHOR:
Mr. H. R. Thakur

MODERATORS:
Mrs. Sudesh Kaith
Mr. Navneet Yadav

EVENT MANAGERS:
Mr. Yogesh Chauhan
Mr. Harish Verma

PROCEEDINGS: DAY-1 INTRODUCTORY SESSION: Mr. Het Ram Thakur, General Secretary, Pariwartan, welcomed the participants with a brief note over the background of event. Mr. Thakur also offered a warm welcome to Mr. Pankaj Khullar (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh who was the Chief Guest of the event. Mr. Khullar, despite of his very busy schedule, found time to address the young participants who appeared to be very excited to be a part of the first ever Youth-centric drive against Climate Change. Mr. Khullar encouraged the young leaders to step ahead in defence of the environment as it is their future and the future of the next generations which is going to be most affected by the impacts of climate change. He also added that setting goals is easy but to realize these goals as reality takes discipline and sincere efforts. Mr. Khullar concluded his short speech by encouraging the young leaders not to “keep silence” on the issues that are of immense concern for the environmental sustainability and pose a threat to their future. Mrs. Sudesh Kaith, Convener of Pariwartan, offered the vote of thanks to Mr. Khullar for becoming the Chief Guest of the first Training Program on “Enabling Young Leaders to Combat Climate Change” in Himachal Pradesh and inspiring the Young Leaders with his inspirational words. Later, the participants from different colleges introduced themselves.

SHOWCASING OF “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH” After the introductory session, it was the time to showcase the brainstorming movie on the impacts of global warming and threats & predictions related to climate change- “An Inconvenient Truth” featuring former Vice President of USA, Mr. Al Gore. In order to maximize the better understanding of the information provided in the movie, we showcased a Hindi version of the movie which was dubbed in Hindi and widely circulated in India by GTZ. Participants liked the movie very much and some teachers who came along with the participants requested ‘Pariwartan’ to arrange a Film Show at their colleges i.e. Rajkeeya Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (RKMV), Longwood, Shimla and Rajeev Gandhi Govt. Degree College (RGGC), Kotshera, Shimla. After watching the movie, participants were asked to give their comments on the movie and almost all the participants said that the movie has raised a huge concern in their mindsets and has opened an avenue for discussion and further actions to save the Earth from the crisis of climate change.

PRESENTATIONS: A series of very informative and brainstorming presentations were delivered by different presenters. All the presentations were made in such a way where there was enough opportunity for the participants to clear their doubts or queries simultaneously with the presentation. Besides this, a short question round after the presentations was an additional help for the participants to have a better understanding of all the vital points of the presentations. The main points of each presentation are given on the next pages for easy understanding of the aspects covered by different speakers on the topic assigned to them for the presentation. No. of Presentations made on the First Day- 3 No. of Presentations made on the Second Day- 4

PROCEEDINGS: DAY-1 PRESENTATION #1: Basic Overview of Climate Change (By- Mr. J. S. Walia (IFS), CEO- ET & CCF, H. P. Forest Department)


Understanding the Earth, Ecology and the Environment




The distinct life-supporting characteristics of Earth




Phenomenon of “natural” Green House Effect in Earth’s atmosphere




Factors that regulate the surface and atmospheric temperatures of Earth




Main Green House Gases and their sources




Anthropogenic causes that affect the “natural” Green House Effect




Global Warming and its impacts on the Climate & Ecosystems




Various models endorsing change in climate system




Impacts of Climate Change on the people, biodiversity and natural resources




Possible ways of dealing with the climate change- from mitigation to adaptation

PRESENTATION #2: Local & Regional Issues pertaining to Climate Change (By- Dr. R. K. Sood, JMS, H.P. State Council for Science, Technology & Environment)


How climate change is affecting the Himalayan region




Impacts of climate change resulting in natural disasters




Variability in regional weather patterns due to global warming




Precipitation & snowfall trends in Himachal Pradesh




Impacts on Agriculture, Horticulture, Water and other natural resources




Shift and migration of plants & animal species to new habitats




Introduction of alien species (like mosquitoes) in colder parts of the state




Afforestation & Reforestation are two big solutions




Significance of accurate data on trends showing climate change




Enhancing Energy Efficiency through technology development




Individual and Community level initiatives could be really vital

PRESENTATION #3: Development and Climate Change (By- Mr. Surender Kumar (IFS), Director- South, H.P. State Forest Corporation Ltd.)


Various cross-cutting factors related to development




Major indicators of sustainable development




Inter-relation between development and environment




Contribution of population growth & urbanization in global warming




Distribution of resources between the rich and poor of the world




Role of Strong and Effective Legislation in dealing with climate change




Reforestation of marginal areas with native species




Significance of new, large-scale plantations around industrial areas




Biomass plantations for energy production for rural areas




Substitution of fossil fuels with alternative sources like electricity




Introduction of trees into existing agricultural systems- Agroforestry




Compulsory use of modern, fuel-efficient technologies in vehicles

PROCEEDINGS: DAY-2 PRESENTATION #4: Attitude, Skills & Knowledge to become a Climate Leader (By- Mr. G. S. Thakur (HPFS), DM, H.P. State Forest Corporation Ltd.)


Importance of having clear understanding of What, Why, Who, Where, When & How




Need of self-realization for meeting the set goals




Youth and Climate Change: From perspective to decision making




Dream of a future world- how it would look like




Personal Assessment: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats




Adopting leadership lessons from the religious epics and fables




Techniques of self-realization and motivation to lead




Importance of having right attitude in meeting the goals




Potential of Young Leaders in dealing with the climate change crisis




Leadership skills required to become a Climate Leader




Factors that will determine the success or failure of Climate Leaders

PRESENTATION #5: Youths and Environmental Advocacy (By- Mr. Anand Sharma, Advocate, H.P. High Court)


Understanding the Environmental Advocacy




Strengths & Limitations of Environmental Legislation




Local & Regional Success Stories based on environmental advocacy




Various legal procedures and tools for environment protection




Right to Information Act: Empowerment through Information




Role of RTI in enhancing the decision making processes




Procedure of obtaining information through RTI Act




Public Interest Litigation: people’s action for the good




Procedure of filing a PIL for defending the nature or communities interests




Specific roles of Young Leaders in Environmental Advocacy




Different kind of legal assistance provided under the Law




Advisory Support from the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)

PRESENTATION #6: Role of Youth & NGOs in dealing with Climate Change (By- Mr. Farhad Vania, Project Leader, GTZ Himachal Pradesh)


Himachal specific issues pertaining to Climate Change




Growing water scarcity in Shimla town and degrading environment




Role of local youth in dealing with environmental problems




Youths’ perspective on general environmental issues of Shimla




Figuring out the priorities for action at town level




Importance of individual and organizational networking in finding solutions




Opportunities for youth to influence policies affecting the environment




Strategy formulation for Youth-led actions over climate change




Need for building a stronger network of like-minded individuals




Planning of future course of action

PROCEEDINGS: DAY-2 PRESENTATION #7: Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) in Himachal Pradesh (By- Mr. Navneet Yadav, Chief Program Officer, Pariwartan)


Youth-led National Movement on Climate Change




History, Vision & Mission of Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN)




IYCN’s strategy over contributing to the global drive against climate change




Significance of Youth Leadership in taking real actions over climate change crisis




Present outreach of IYCN in various regions of India




Programmes and projects undertaken by IYCN




Pariwartan’s Role as the Himachal Pradesh state coordination agency for IYCN




Information about the 1st Indian Youth Summit on Climate Change at Hyderabad




Information about the National Youth Action Plan on Climate Change




Mobilization of Youth to participate in IYCN’s endeavors at local level




Formation of Youth Task Force for Shimla city

KEY POINTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM 1.

The first initiative in Himachal Pradesh on the capacity building of Young Leaders over climate change.

2.

Higher participation of female participants reflects that females from Shimla are keener to learn about Climate Change.

3.

Resource Persons belonging to diverse intellectual backgrounds added great quality to the training program.

4.

All

the

presentations

contained

locally-relevant

information

that

made

the

presentations more interesting. 5.

Attending such kind of event for the first time, the participants were very keen about learning the vital aspects of climate change and their role in dealing with it.

6.

Data & Information provided by the resource persons during their presentations sensitized the participants over terrible consequences of climate change in future.

7.

Some very interactive discussions and question rounds took place during the presentations, which also symbolizes the zeal of participants to take sincere actions.

8.

Participants expressed their happiness over their inclusion in the state chapter of Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN).

9.

Teachers and lecturers from the participating colleges requested ‘Pariwartan’ to host similar workshops/training programs in their colleges for a larger participation.

10. In the two-day training program, participants liked the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” most, as it sensitized them and the message delivered by the movie helped them to understand their responsibility to combat climate change. 11. The event got a wider coverage in the local and national newspapers and also got broadcasted through local News channels.

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS #

Name of the Participant

Institution/Organization

1

Ms. Harsha Verma

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

2

Ms. Gian Wati

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

3

Ms. Vandana Chauhan

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

4

Ms. Ankita

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

5

Ms. Ved

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

6

Ms. Dipika Sharma

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

7

Ms. Ritu Chauhan

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

8

Ms. Kanchan

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

9

Ms. Rajni Kapta

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

10

Ms. Priti

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

11

Ms. Kalpana

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

12

Ms. Dimple

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

13

Ms. Smiriti

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

14

Ms. Arvita

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

15

Ms. Ritika Chauhan

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

16

Ms. Mamta

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

17

Ms. Anuradha Fishta

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

18

Ms. Pallavi Sood

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

19

Ms. Aditya Rajta

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

20

Ms. Aarti Singh

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

21

Ms. Meenakshi Chauhan

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

22

Ms. Swati Mahant

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

23

Ms. Anamika Thakur

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

24

Ms. Priyanka Sharma

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

25

Ms. Prinyanka Negi

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

26

Ms. Neha Sharma

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

27

Ms. Suchi Depta Ms. Preeti Kanwer

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

28

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

29

Ms. Pooja Verma

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla

30

Ms. Neelam Thakur

31

Mr. Ram Gopal

R.K.M.V., Longwood, Shimla Govt. College, Sanjauli, Shimla

32

Mr. Anil Khachi

Govt. College, Sanjauli, Shimla

33

Mr. Narendra Kumar

H.P. University, Shimla

34

Ms. Santosh Thakur

H.P. University, Shimla

35

Mr. Vaneet Kumar

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

36

Mr. Devender Singh

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

37

Mr. Girish Kumar

38

Ms. Poonam Kumari

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

39

Mr. Arun Bhatia

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

40

Mr. Surinder Sharma

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS #

Name of the Participant

Institution/Organization

41

Mr. Arun

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

42

Mr. Anil

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

43

Mr. Ashok Kumar

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

44

Mr. Sem Kumar

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

45

Mr. Kapil Sharma

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

46

Mr. Khemraj

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

47

Mr. Kishore Kumar Garg

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

48

Mr. Meli Ram

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

49

Mr. Khem Prakash

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

50

Mr. Vipin Singh

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

51

Mr. Suresh Kumar

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

52

Mr. Sandeep Shukla

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

53

Mr. Ankush Sharma

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

54

Mr. Lokinder Bassanta

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

55

Ms. Rajni Walia (Sr. Lectr.)

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

56

Ms. Meenu Jiwan (Sr. Lectr.)

R.G.G. College, Kotshera, Shimla

57

Mr. Jai Chand Sharma

Green Carpet (NGO)

58

Ms. Taruna Misra (President)

Sparsh (NGO)

59

Ms. Deepa Bhikta (Journalist)

Ajeet Samachar

60

Ms. Pushpa Sahota (Journalist)

Dainik Bhaskar

61

Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma (Journalist)

Ajeet Samachar

62

Mr. Anil Thakur (Journalist)

Divya Himachal

63

Mr. Mukesh Sharma (Journalist)

Hindustan Times

64

Mr. Naresh Kumar (Journalist)

Punjab Kesari

65

Mr. Rahul Sharma (Correspondent)

City Channel

66

Mr. Ravi Rahi (Correspondent)

City Channel

67

Mr. Rajender Sharma (Journalist)

Aapka Phaisla & Bhartendu

68

Mr. Rajeshwar Gautam

Amar Ujaala

69

Mr. Yadesh Thakur

H.P. Electricity Board

70

Ms. Geeta Thakur

Pariwartan

71

Ms. Sudesh Kaith

Pariwartan

72

Mr. Yogesh Chauhan

Pariwartan

73

Mr. Harish Verma

Pariwartan

74

Mr. Het Ram Thakur

Pariwartan

75

Mr. Navneet Yadav

Pariwartan

PARIWARTAN …from awareness to awakening

CONTACT US Postal Address P.O. Box # 27, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (INDIA) Registered Office Chalaunthi, Sanjauli, Shimla- 171006, Himachal Pradesh (INDIA) Phone +91 9816637634, 9817075488, 9418901188, 9857192386 E-mail [email protected] Website www.pariwartan.bravehost.com