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Sano Sansar Initiative,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Dear Sir,
I am pleased to share my experience of the conference
through this report.
The idea of a conference, or a civilized gathering with rationalist is very alluring to me. This is the notion I believe has uploaded democracy worldwide, found solutions to problems and has been the sanjeevani as far as solving discontent and crisis is concerned. So, amid this national as well as global environmental challenges, a gathering of likeminded youths from Nepal at a venue analyzing the trends, connecting with government, leading sectors working on climate change felt right and delightfully I applied for the participation and the conference indeed was as interesting as I had hoped for.
It would be unfair if I didn’t praise the organizer Sano
Sansar initiative for the conception of this brilliant idea nada then to execute
with such grace even in the present scenario of blockades, fuel scarcity and
whatnot. I personally found it as a suitable metaphor to the climate action
Nepalese activists have done over the years with selfishness.
The experts fluently communicated their beliefs and
ideas and one thing I wished was if only they had been there during our
presentations to give their comments and feedbacks.
All in all it was a gathering of positive energy and I
am sure this energy will be transformed into something meaningful through Sano
Sansar Initiative as a vehicle.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Prashant Bhandari
Acknowledgement
I
would like to thank my friend Sudeep Ghimire for sharing about the conference,
to the Sano Sansar team, my activists friends Madan, Sangam, Ashish, Robot,
Subash, Rohit, Rakshya at AFU for their help and finally all my new friends at
the conference for the delightful exchange of ideas.
Thanks!
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CONTENT
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1.
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Introduction
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2.
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Details
of the activities
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3.
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Group
discussion and project design
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4.
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Conclusion
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5.
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Recommendations
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6.
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Bibliography
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Abstract
Young Environmentalist 2016, a conference gathering
youths from different background working from their positions for climate
action, at a venue, in conversation with government officials, experts was
really educating as well as involving. The presentation from experts from WWF
Nepal, ICIMOD, Red Cross and few other was intellectually enriching. The
discussion on cop agendas and LAPA, NAPA was highly effective Conference had brain storming sessions where
many ideas where pitched in the group, the innovative idea selected and a
sketch of project was prepared and presented. On which participants had their
comments as well as questions. This served as a quite enriching part. The
conference served as a network within Nepal where information can be exchanged,
ideas discussed and best practices shared, joint call for climate justice, helping
create climate movement from Mechi-Mahakali and Mountains-Tarai.
Keywords: Youths, Environmentalist, NAPA, LAPA,
climate action, Climate justice
1. Introduction
Sano
Sansar Initiative organized a youth conference “Young Environmentalist
2016.” I, prashant Bhandari, a bachelor
level student of Agriculture, was selected as participant. So, I had the
privilege of joining the discussions with 59 other likeminded youths from different
field and districts.
I
had hoped to build a network with the organizers, participants which I believe
I have achieved, in addition to getting information from experts and personnel
who were actually present in COP21 negotiations. The series of speakers,
activities in the conference was a great learning experience.
2. Details
of the activities
The
event started with introduction of the participants where we introduced
ourselves and shared about our past projects. This was followed by
presentations
2.1.1. Presentation by Prof Dr. Madan Koirala
Dr.
Koirala, one of the top academician of our country explained us the role of
academia in climate movement. He shared us the need of high quality research in
Nepal. He contended that the need of integration of climate change in academia
is extremely crucial.
He
encouraged us to carry research using tools that give us accurate and research
that could be cited globally and be recognized by leading international bodies.
2.1.2. Presentation by Naresh Sharma
Mr.
Sharma, adaptation fund chair coordinator shared us about the success of NAPA
& LAPA and how it has maintained a good image of Nepal in international
arena. He explained how the discussions actually occur in the COP meetings. He
asked us to be positive and continue our actions. He identified that very
gathering of youths, government itself is a great signs. He also addressed
queries of the participants, which were many and the discussions were deep,
problem based and the questions from fields of agriculture, environment
science, law, public policy among many made the arguments multidimensional and
that enabled me to understand the problem and solution more holistically.
2.1.3. Presentation by Dr Manish Raj Pandey
MR.
Pandey, NTNC, shared us the actions of NTNC and along with the organizational
frame work of NTNC. He emphasized in the need of climate smart communities and
that our actions, awareness should reach at the micro level.
2.1.4
Presentation by Mr. Ramesh Bhusal
Mr.
Bhusal, a member of Third Pole and a charismatic journalist and speaker shared
his experience witnessing debate at the highest level and at the grass root
level. His take on the role of media and news to fight the change with words as
a weapon was interesting.
2.1.5
Presentation by Mr. Yugen Manandhar
Mr.
Manandhar of WWF Nepal shared the work model and past/present work of WWF in
Nepal and his emphasis on resilience development, knowledge, personal capacity,
institutional actions with field delivery impact was good.
2.1.6
Presentation on ICIMOD by Iris Lekianger
Miss
Iris shared us abbot the objectives,
organizational framework, actions of ICIMOD in South Asian countries, along
with the work they are doing in kavre villages to make them smart in terms of
Agriculture smart, Climate Smart, Technology Smart among many.
3. GROUP
DISCUSSION, PROJECT DESIGN AND PRESENTATION
I
was added in Team Rara, we as a discussed on many ideas. I, myself am from
Agriculture background others from forestry and environmental science were
present and after brainstorming ideas, we came with the idea of Project SWIP:
School waste Incentive Project.
Project
SWIP
The
idea is to manage plastic waste that is being transported to remote areas
before they turn into havoc, in light that most works on waste management has
been limited in cities. So, this project aims at managing plastic waste
sustainable in terms of economics, environment and longevity.
Working
Model: Government School students of certain range of class would be asked to
bring plastic waste from their homes and a plastic collection center would be
established in school in collaboration of school itself. The plastic thus
collected would then be bought and taken by a plastic reusing industry. The
income from the plastic will be distributed among the students.
Objectives:
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To develop model school and communities in
terms of plastic waste management
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To use children as a vehicle of social
change and climate action.
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To transform waste management practices
and habit.
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Incentives for children to work on waste
management and climate change.
Expected Outcomes:
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Collection of plastic waste from 100/150
households and reused
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Development of eco-friendly habit among
children and all members of community
4. Conclusion:
The conference served as a tool to network and engage with creative,
passionate, young Environmentalist and the chance to interact with lively
organizers and expert speakers was a truly an honor. I hope to take my actions
one notch above in terms of impacts and outreach courtesy of the conference.
5. Recommendations
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The day one day two could have had more
group activities.
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The project discussion time did feel
short. So, it could have been introduced at end of day 2
Bibliography
bhandariprashantblogs.blogspot.com
https://www.sanosansar.org/
