TERI-UNOPS Initiative Empowered 27000 School Children in Uttar Pradesh on Climate Change, Health, and Hygiene Practices

New Delhi, Delhi, India

A TERI-UNOPS (The Energy and Resources Institute – United Nations Office for Project Services) collaborative initiative on “Capacity Building Programme Targeting School Children on Climate Change, Health, and Hygiene throughout 11 Districts of Uttar Pradesh, India”, concluded with a National Conference held in New Delhi on Thursday. The nationwide workshop involving numerous stakeholders from ministries, UN companies, and companions was held to share classes from the sphere, alternate finest practices from the venture, and talk about scaling-up efforts. The venture, conceptualized across the mixture of three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (guarantee wholesome lives throughout all ages), SDG 6 (making certain the supply and sustainable administration of water and sanitation for all) and SDG 13 (limiting and adapting to local weather change), goals to enhance public well being and increase neighborhood consciousness. It incorporates local weather change diversifications into the curriculum for varsity kids in 11 districts of Uttar Pradesh, the place distinctive challenges associated to water, sanitation, well being, and local weather change are prevalent. The venture particularly focuses on teenage ladies, offering them with the instruments to successfully handle and protect water sources.

Launch of TERI-UNOPS Project Manual

Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, welcomed the visitors, dignitaries and notably congratulated the scholars emphasizing their position as ambassadors of local weather change. “You all are the torch bearers of the initiative and shoulder the accountability of taking ahead this message to the neighborhood to deal with the altering local weather and make the setting clear. This will go a great distance in reaching our sustainability initiatives,” he mentioned.

Elaborating on the on-ground initiatives, Mr Vinod Mishra, Country Manager, UNOPS India, expressed the group’s delight in collaborating with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to prepare very important workshops for 27000 kids throughout 162 faculties. “Students will be the champions, if educated, will be the Ambassadors”, expressed Mr Mishra giving a rationale of the very venture which has been conceptualized on the idea of three SDGs. Taking the viewers by means of the goals of the venture, he additional added, “By focusing on important areas comparable to entry to wash water, the impression of local weather change, and complete WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services, we’re instantly addressing Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6 and 13. This initiative not solely goals to boost public well being but additionally empowers communities by incorporating local weather change diversifications into the academic curriculum.”

Highlighting the venture’s achievements, Dr Neha, Senior Fellow, TERI, said that the initiative raises consciousness of local weather change, water conservation, and menstrual well being amongst college kids. It additionally promotes sustainable water-saving practices in faculties and goals to affect water administration and conservation at household and neighborhood ranges. This was adopted by the coed local weather champions sharing their experiences and the screening of a venture video.

Mr Bharat Lal, Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission, Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, H.E. Freddy Svane, Ambassador on the Royal Danish Embassy in India, and H.E. Dr Muawia Elbukhari, Ambassador of Sudan in India, delved additional into the achievements of the venture in their particular addresses. Highlighting the significance of Jal Jeevan Mission and the elements essential to contribute in direction of its success,Mr Bharat Lal, mentioned, “There is want for UN companies and organizatons like TERI who’ve an essential position to play in the success of such tasks by means of the youngsters and youth. Achieving the mission of Vikshit Bharat won’t be doable with out kids. A clear and inexperienced India can occur solely by coaching and educating the youngsters,” he emphasised.

Referring to the present scenario of triple planetary disaster,Mr Shombi Sharp, mentioned, “There is not any higher engine than youth for reaching sustainability.” Highlighting energy of the big youth base in India, he additional added, “India has extra younger minds, which implies extra younger individuals bringing options to the issues than any nation had earlier than. So, that is in regards to the youth and India is pushing the motion local weather motion and local weather justice for a sustainable future.”

H.E. FreddySvane emphasised the necessity to carry a couple of change at a person degree. “Take particular person accountability, for you’re the ones who can harness the dividend of the younger democracy. Do it by means of particular person change,” was his message to the youngsters current.

“Students can be the chief of the neighborhood. We are surrounding them with the messages on local weather change, well being and sanitation means we’re empowering them in order that they deal with the problem individually,” underscoredH.E. Dr Muawia Elbukhari. The launch of the Project Manual was adopted by a panel dialogue on the position of scholars as change brokers in disseminating data and constructing neighborhood capacities on local weather change, setting, well being, and hygiene. The panel, moderated by Mr RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, included Mr Yugal Kishore Joshi, Adviser, NITI Aayog, Government of India, because the chair, alongside representatives from embassies, UN companies, state and central governments, CSOs, and worldwide companions. Further, the Student Climate Champions have been felicitated by notable figures together with the Panama First Secretary, H.E. Freddy Svane, and Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI.

The occasion concluded with a powerful dedication from all stakeholders and closing remarks by Ms Elizaveta Zalkind, Coordination Specialist on the UNOPS Office of the Regional Director for Asia. She emphasised the significance of constant to assist and increase such initiatives to construct a extra sustainable and resilient future by creating climate-resilient communities.