Srinagar, May 08: Stating that the upcoming Youth20 Consultation meeting at the university is a historic movement, Prof Nilofer Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, said that it will give a chance for youth to come forward and share their ideas to address and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Addressing the pre-event press conference regarding the Youth20 Consultation being held on the theme regarding the Y20 on climate change scheduled to be held on May 11 onward at the University Campus, Prof. Nilofer Khan said that all preparations have been made to assure the event’s tremendous success and will take place under the aegis of India’s G20 Presidency.
She said the Y20 meet will be attended by dignitaries from the Central Government, J&K UT Administration, 17 international delegates, four international speakers, 12 national speakers and 26 national delegates.
“Consultations would provide a platform for open discussions, presentations and interactive sessions focussed on addressing the challenges faced by young people and formulating a roadmap for their development,” she said.
Prof Khan said that the University has got a historic opportunity to host the meeting and all arrangements have been put in place to ensure its great success.
She said that University of Kashmir has constituted several committees to oversee arrangements and preparedness for the event, which will be attended by dignitaries from Central Government, UT administration, youth leaders from G20 Countries and national and international speakers.
“It is as an event of national and global importance. We have 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 said.
Prof. Khan thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur and Chancellor Manoj Sinha for choosing the University of Kashmir for the mega event.
“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 of students from the school education department and higher education department,” the VC said, adding that four panel discussions on important aspects of climate change will be held during the technical deliberations.
Prof. Khan informed that the University has undertaken enormous research on the subject of climate change and has been designated as a Centre of Excellence in Glacial Studies in the Western Himalayas by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
She also expressed happiness at the fact that the research work done on climate change at the University of Kashmir has been published and acknowledged at national and international levels.
Highlighting the importance of the theme, the VC said, they 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 said.
VC said these ideas will eventually be taken to the G20 platform and shall contribute to policymaking in its critical areas. We have also opted for this theme in view of enormous research work which our University has been Conducting in the area of climate change.
“This topic is the need of hour and as we live in the Himalayan region, which is prone to various natural disasters like landslides, flooding and avalanches. The J&K UT also falls In Seismic Zone-V and is therefore vulnerable to earthquakes, she said.
The Vice Chancellor said that to make the event more inclusive and result-oriented, participants have been invited from universities across the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
“It is pertinent to mention that the event will see four panel discussions on important aspects related to the theme,” she added.
