Sajid Raina
Srinagar, May 8: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan on Monday said that the upcoming Youth20 Consultation meet on climate change at the University of Kashmir on May 11 is a historical occasion and an event of global importance.
“It is a great opportunity to showcase our youth as active contributors in the fight against climate change,” she said.
Speaking at a pre-event press conference organized for the Youth20 Consultation on the theme “Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability A Way of Life,” Prof Nilofer emphasized, “It is a historical occasion for the University of Kashmir to be organizing this event under India’s G20 Presidency”.
She also said that the University considers it as an event of national and global importance and has put in place all necessary logistical and other arrangements well in advance.
“Our faculty members, officers, research scholars, and students have been actively involved in making this event a great success,” she added.
Expressing gratitude, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur, and the Honorable Chancellor Manoj Sinha for selecting the University of Kashmir for this mega event.
According to Prof Nilofer, the event will be attended by dignitaries from the Central Government, J&K UT Administration, 17 international delegates, 4 international speakers, 12 national speakers, and 26 national delegates. “To make the event more inclusive and result-oriented, we have invited participants from universities across the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. We also have participation from students from the school education department and higher education department,” she added. Additionally, four panel discussions on important aspects of climate change will be held during the technical deliberations.
Explaining the significance of the chosen theme, Prof Nilofer stated, “We have chosen this theme deliberately in view of its high importance for the country in general, and our youth in particular. Because this engagement and involvement of youth in the conversation and dialogue on climate change is one big intervention that India’s G20 Presidency has made. It is, therefore, an occasion for our youth to come forward and share their ideas on how they can contribute to addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change.” She further noted, “These ideas will eventually be taken to the G20 platform and shall contribute to policy making in its critical areas. We have also opted for this theme in view of the enormous research work which our University has been conducting in the area of climate change. The research work done in this University on climate change has been published and acknowledged globally.”
Highlighting the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to natural disasters like landslides, flooding, and earthquakes, Prof Nilofer stated, “The Youth20 Consultation, therefore, offers us an opportunity to deliberate upon these important aspects and see how best our youth can contribute to mitigating the climate change impacts in the region using ‘youth power’ as a means to achieve this goal.”
Describing the event as a reflection of the University’s commitment to academic excellence, the Vice-Chancellor stated, “This event will further encourage our faculty, research scholars, and students to pursue their academic goals with greater vigor. The University will also use this occasion to further collaborate in research with our sister universities in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh, and other institutions of national and international repute in the country. This is indeed a moment of great celebration for all of us, especially our young students.
