YUVA MEET 2013

Recognising the role of young minds in shaping the global environmental agenda, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, TETRA Pak, RCE, British Council and other partners successfully launched the two-day YUVA Meet 2013 on 28 January 2013 on the theme, "Green Growth-Preparing Youth for Sustainable Living."

Held as a special event of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2013, the 5th YUVA (Youth Unite for Voluntary Action) Meet seeks to encourage young individuals to contribute their bit for a sustainable future. The YUVA Meet 2013 also focused on enhancing the knowledge among youth on the core challenges related to green growth and development which is sustainable, resource-efficient and socially-inclusive.

In a significant gesture, Mr Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Youth and Sports Affairs, presided over the inaugural session of the YUVA Meet, along with Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI and Ms Ranjana Saikia, Director, Educating Youth for Sustainable Development, TERI.

Lauding the spirit behind the Meet, Mr Jitendra Singh asserted, "Nature keeps giving us warning signals from time to time. I feel that before it gets too late, and the nature gets harsh on us, we need to spread awareness and address environmental concerns. I am happy that over the years, there has been a steady increase in awareness among youth on environmental issues."

This year, the popular conclave attracted over 200 young minds from eight countries keen to deliberate on the action needed to protect and conserve the rapidly-depleting natural resources. Among the countries who participated in YUVA Meet 2013 were Russia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Swaziland, Namibia, Thailand and India.

Giving a fillip to the initiative, Indian Olympian pugilist and youth-icon, Mr Vijender Singh addressed the participants on the final day of the YUVA Meet and encouraged them to become socially-aware individuals.