GREEN Olympiad celebrates 25 years of inspiring environment stewardship among school children
New Delhi, February 01, 2024: GREEN Olympiad, the flagship event for school children by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), organized a felicitation ceremony on Thursday. The programme is designed in an innovative manner to test knowledge levels of students about environment and sustainable development issues, the event celebrated the exemplary achievements of the young minds, while celebrating the milestone of successful completion of 25 years of GREEN Olympiad (GO).
Felicitation ceremony marks culmination of GREEN Olympiad 2023 recognizing outstanding achievements and commitment to sustainability
Reaching out to nearly 2400 schools annually in India and abroad, this Olympiad is designed for students of class 4 to 12. The overall objective of this initiative is to sensitize and build capacity of students on environment, sustainability, and green skills. Around 150,000 students participated in this edition of GO 2023, of which merit and distinction certificates were awarded to approximately 23,000 students, while all the participants received the certificates of participation.
GO 2023 has been endorsed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), as well as Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. Subsequently, it garnered support through outreach efforts from State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) for Eco Clubs, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan (NVS), and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Goa.
Addressing the students in her welcome remarks, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “As we gather here today to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the GREEN Olympiad, a remarkable journey that has touched the lives of countless students and schools, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. I want to express my deep appreciation for the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by every participant in GO 2023. Your commitment to environmental sustainability is not just commendable; it is a beacon of hope for the future.”
Speaking on partnerships for a better tomorrow, Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, said, “Today, as we honour the exemplary achievements of the children who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge and passion for environmental stewardship, we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued partners, the driving force behind our success. Our journey has been enriched by the support of MoEFCC, MoE, and various educational bodies such as CBSE, KVS, NVS, and SCERT, Goa.”
On the 25th anniversary of the GREEN Olympiad, Mr Atul Bagai, Head of Country Office at UNEP India, remarked, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to TERI for the remarkable journey that has shaped young scholars into environmental stewards. The commitment to sustainability displayed by every participant in GO 2023 is not just commendable; it is a guiding light for a greener, more sustainable future. You are the chief guest of the day and future, who will be leading the environmental initiatives. Congratulations on this milestone achievement!" He further added, “with ‘Prakriti deva bhava’ as the guiding principle, riding on Mission LiFE, GREEN Olympiad, can foster the cause of environmental awareness and sustainable practices, inspiring individuals to actively participate in safeguarding our planet for future generations.”
Dr Livleen K Kahlon, Associate Director, TERI was joined by the distinguished guests for the felicitation ceremony. Dr Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Country Representative IUCN India; Ms Johanna Mansson Delerce, Climate and Energy portfolio, delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan; Mr AK Sharma, Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, HQ; Mr Shri Prakash, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, and the speakers of the event came together to felicitate the children on their achievements. Certificate of excellence and cash prizes were handed over to a total of 110 winners for their outstanding accomplishments at both global and national levels. The categories under which the GREEN Olympiad 2023 awards were given out are -Top scorer at international level, Top scorer in India, Top scorer in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Top scorer in Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Top scorer in Hindi language, Best performing school at state level and best performing school with maximum participation.
Ms Sunila Athley, Principal, Amity International School, congratulated TERI for their 50th anniversary and extended her best wishes for the silver anniversary of GREEN Olympiad. “As we look ahead, let us continue to nurture this partnership and empower more young minds to become the stewards of a greener and sustainable tomorrow,” said Ms Athley. She further added, “This has been an incredible journey that has brought so many young people into the fold of environment consciousness by making them climate champions. This is perhaps the only of its kind of customized quiz programme at a global level.”
Dr Livleen K Kahlon, Associate Director, TERI, concluded the session with a vote of thanks, highlighting that the foundation of GREEN Olympiad is rooted in the vision that raising awareness about sustainable development issues will empower the youth to become stewards of our planet. “Our heartfelt gratitude for the endorsement and recognition received from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that has helped us broaden our school base,” added Dr Kahlon. Expressing her gratitude for the valued partnerships, Dr Kahlon acknowledged the contribution of the partners individually.
Over the past two decades, GO for schools has developed into a valuable academic asset. The overarching objective is to establish an 'Environment Conscious Youth Network,' contributing to the realization of the Global Agenda by 2030.