Youth Climate Conclave
To foster a community of young innovators dedicated to crafting solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change, the 5th edition of the 'Youth Climate Conclave' (YCC) is being convened. YCC is being held under the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP) project, financed and managed by the Delegation of the European Union to India. TERI has been implementing the YCC activity since 2019. This conclave with knowledge support from MoEFCC, GIZ, CEEW, and Climate Fresk aims to serve as both a competition platform and a forum for education, uniting children and youth from across the country to collaborate in addressing climate change issues. Commemorating International Youth Day, a virtual launch of the 5th edition of the Youth Climate Conclave (YCC) along with an announcement of the Photography Competition was organised on August 12, 2024.
The event opened with a welcome from Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, who highlighted the critical role of youth in addressing climate challenges. She emphasized that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the catalysts of change today. The event aimed to empower young people in combating climate change while fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration.
Following this, His Excellency Mr Seppo Nurmi, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Delegation of the European Union to India, delivered special remarks. He highlighted the significance of global collaboration in youth-led climate action and said: "Climate change is a common challenge and a priority for both the EU and India, making climate action a crucial part of our bilateral cooperation programme. The youth are key players in bringing about change and will be the leaders in taking forward the climate agenda. I urge and encourage youth to engage and connect with like-minded people to empower society towards a secure future and to use the Youth Climate Conclave as a platform to be at the forefront of this global movement."
Ambassador Manjeev Puri, Distinguished Fellow at TERI, motivated the young audience by saying, “The future is yours; we want to hear from you, what we should do. We would like to know what your interest and passion with regards to the planet is.” Ms Anchal Gautam, Youth Representative at SB 60 in Bonn, Germany, highlighted the vital role youth play in the climate agenda by sharing a youth perspective. Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director of Social Transformation and Strategic Alliance at TERI, extended a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and supporters for their contributions to this significant cause.
A key highlight of the event was the photography competition, which was virtually launched. Details of the conclave and competitions were shared, followed by an engaging session on photographic skills led by Mr Virendra Shekhawat, Founder of the Delhi Photography Club, demonstrating how a simple photograph can create powerful narratives.
The event also featured a panel discussion on "Youth as Catalysts for Climate Action: Innovations, Challenges, and Pathways Forward," with speakers including Mr Ashraf Nehal, Youth Engagement Coordinator at The Ramphal Institute and Global Coordination Executive at YOUNGO (UNFCCC Youth); Mr Achintya Ghosal, Youth Climate Advisor at the British Council; Ms Komal Tiwari, a student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar; and Mr Darsh Vatsa, Executive Director of ResistTwo. The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr Livleen K Kahlon of the EEA Division, who emphasized the importance of continued youth engagement and collaboration in the ongoing battle against climate change.
The conclave features a series of pre-event activities for children and youth, including a youth photography competition, a two-day knowledge enrichment session aligned with TERI's World Sustainable Development Summit 2025, and an exclusive educational excursion to provide evidence-based learning to empower youth in combating climate change.
We are inviting children and youth in the age category of 10 – 18 years and 19 – 25 years of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, physical ability, or any other distinctions across India to participate in the photography competition.
Theme: Climate Action for the future we want!
Registration for the photography competition can be done through https://wsds.teriin.org/2025/youth-climate-conclave-5.php
