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Message from Our Chief Mentor
The Oxford Dictionary has significantly announced the word “Youthquake” as the word of the year. This word has great appeal for those of us involved in the POP Movement, because it conveys appropriately what is required for protection of our planet through unconventional initiatives, leadership and efforts of the youth of today. As we close the year 2017, it is a depressing thought to see that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is now 25 years old, and yet at the end of this quarter century of a unique global agreement, emissions of greenhouse gases are still going up, and leaders of some countries are still not merely spreading doubt on the science of climate change, but actually mocking the tens of thousands of scientists who have worked over the years to give us knowledge and information about human induced climate change. Now more than ever it is essential for the youth of the world to take the lead and ensure that their own future is safeguarded on a timely basis through their own leadership and unconventional initiatives. Happily, the youth of today are fully capable of leading the change that is needed. The President of Oxford’s Dictionaries Division has stated “We chose ‘youthquake’ based on its evidence and linguistic interest. But most importantly for me, at a time when our language is reflecting a deepening unrest and exhausted nerves, it is a rare political word that sounds a hopeful note.” Indeed, hope and optimism is what we need against the background of inaction and downright opposition to what is essential. The POP Movement is as yet insignificant and cannot claim to have succeeded in achieving anything at the global level, but we are confident that our perseverance and determination will prevail. As we close the year and convey our season’s greetings and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year in which we begin seriously to protect our planet, it would be appropriate to invoke Mahatma Gandhi’s saying “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” Dr. R. K. Pachauri Chief Mentor |
Conference in Montenegro
The Chief Mentor was involved in making a presentation at the international conference entitled “Globalism vs. Nationalism”, which was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, on November 2-3, 2017. The title of the presentation made on the occasion was “Climate Change: Grassroots initiatives for Global Solutions”. Not only were a number of academics and young people present at the conference, but the proceedings would be published and disseminated by the Montenegro Academy of Sciences and Arts.
In addition, the Chief Mentor made a presentation to students at the University Donja Gorica (UDG) in Podgorica, where the students and faculty are now poised to implement the POP Movement initially in the University itself, and then extend it further to Montenegro and beyond to other parts of the former Yugoslavia.
In addition, the Chief Mentor made a presentation to students at the University Donja Gorica (UDG) in Podgorica, where the students and faculty are now poised to implement the POP Movement initially in the University itself, and then extend it further to Montenegro and beyond to other parts of the former Yugoslavia.
Meeting of the World Academy of Art and Science
The Chief Mentor, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), also took part in a meeting of Trustees held in Podgorica on November the 4th. The unique body was established through the vision and initiative of scientists like Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer. The reason for establishing the WAAS grew out of a concern by these leaders of science that while their work had obviously contributed to the development of nuclear weapons, there was need for a body of thinkers, scholars and active scientists who would ensure that peace across the globe was never again to be disturbed through the use of weaponry of any kind – conventional or that which is capable of mass destruction.
Conference in Dubrovnic
The Chief Mentor also addressed a conference on ‘Mind, Thinking and Creativity’ held in Dubrovnik on November 6-7, 2017. The presentation made on that occasion was “The Evolution of Knowledge on Climate Change: The Creativity and Innovation Challenge”. The participants at the conference were largely young people drawn from a range of disciplines. Again, the relevance and importance of the POP Movement was highlighted in the presentation made and the discussions that followed.
POP at the 13th Conference of Youth
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Our Youth Mentor Heeta Lakhani participated at the event at Intigrierte Gesamtschule Bonn-Beuel in Bonn from Nov 2-4, 2017. The event was energizing and electrifying, with more than 1000 youth from 114 countries present in the "Talanoa Manda” spirit in view of the pacific COP.
Heeta was involved in various seminars and workshops. She conducted a workshop on behalf of the POP Movement together with Care About Climate and the Youth Negotiator Hub. The UNFCCC focal point for Education and Youth, Ms. Adriana Valenzuela also joined the platform and addressed many youth present on the issue of capacity building in relation to the UNFCCC. She provided valuable guidance and motivation. |
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POP at the 23rd Conference of Parties
Our Youth Mentor, Heeta attended the COP held at Bonn during November 6-17, 2017. She conducted an intervention on behalf of the youth constituency YOUNGO at the COP, CMA joint plenary for agenda item 4, "Preparations for the implementation of the Paris Agreement...”
She was also invited to offer her perspective as a global south youth at the press conference by the European Youth Forum.
On Nov 10, Heeta’s opinion on the involvement of youth appeared on UNFCCC’s Facebook post for "Young and Future Generations Day”.
Heeta was a guest on the interview series conducted by the Federation of Young European Greens. Here she shared her experiences and expectations at the COP.
Heeta interacted with the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Ms. Patricia Espinosa in a session with YOUNGO. She also met the Honorable Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change in India, Dr. Harsh Vardhan who talked about the importance of youth in climate action.
She was also invited to offer her perspective as a global south youth at the press conference by the European Youth Forum.
On Nov 10, Heeta’s opinion on the involvement of youth appeared on UNFCCC’s Facebook post for "Young and Future Generations Day”.
Heeta was a guest on the interview series conducted by the Federation of Young European Greens. Here she shared her experiences and expectations at the COP.
Heeta interacted with the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Ms. Patricia Espinosa in a session with YOUNGO. She also met the Honorable Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change in India, Dr. Harsh Vardhan who talked about the importance of youth in climate action.
Preparation for the World Sustainable Development Forum, 2018
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A good part of time was spent by the POP team during November and December in preparation for the World Sustainable Development Forum to be held in Mexico City on February 1 & 2, 2018 in which the POP Movement is a partner. This Forum is fortunate to get the patronage of a large number of distinguished leaders from across the globe as listed below:
Patron-in-Chief H.E. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President of Guyana Patrons
The Forum would ensure the involvement of a large number of young participants, so that they are able to interact with distinguished speakers and learn about the imperatives of dealing collectively with climate change and the implementation of the SDGs. |
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The Chief Mentor addressed two large gatherings of students in Matamoros and Victoria totaling about a thousand each in Tamaulipas, a state in the northern part of Mexico. The schools are managed by the Colegio de Bachilleres de Tamaulipas (COBAT), and the POP Movement already has an MOU with this organization for implementing the POP Movement across the state of Tamaulipas. The occasion of the visit on November 30th and December 1st was used to launch the POP Movement in Tamaulipas.
Visit to the Dominican Republic
The period December 3rd to 8th was spent in the Dominican Republic, where through the initiative of the Asociación Dominicana de Profesores (ADP) a large number of meetings were held and presentations made. A comprehensive agreement was signed involving the ADP, which is an association of teachers; the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), which is the most important university in the country, and several ministries and agencies of the Government of the Dominican Republic as well as select NGOs. The ground work was now been laid for a partnership between all these organizations for the POP Movement being implemented seriously throughout the country, which, it is hoped, would not only have an impact on educational institutions and youth but also on government, business and people at large. During the course of these five days the Chief Mentor also was awarded a doctorate Honoris Causa granted by the UASD which is the oldest university in the Americas, having been established in 1538. He was also designated as a distinguished visitor in the cities of Santiago as well as Bani.
Senor Enrique De Leon who has been the prime mover of all these efforts in the Dominican Republic would continue with his efforts and coordination to ensure that all that was decided on is actually implemented effectively throughout the year 2018 and beyond.
Senor Enrique De Leon who has been the prime mover of all these efforts in the Dominican Republic would continue with his efforts and coordination to ensure that all that was decided on is actually implemented effectively throughout the year 2018 and beyond.
POP Movement in Pune
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Our Youth Mentor, Heeta Lakhani was invited by the J Krishnamurthy Foundation's Sahyadri School on December 2, 2017 to interact with the students of the 11th and 12th grades. Discussions with the students were centered on issues of climate change, climate negotiations, Heeta's experiences and learnings from the COPs, and the role of youth in accelerated climate action. Sahyadri School is practicing various eco-friendly alternatives like using solar power, waste segregation and biogas production, waste water treatment, and organic farming. It was a pleasure interacting with the students and teachers that are conscious of their impact on the environment and are already taking steps to adapt to climate change.
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POP Movement in Mumbai
Our Youth Mentor, Heeta Lakhani was invited to the Airport High School on December 18 and 19, 2017 to conduct workshops on environment and climate change. Heeta and Anushree Lokhande, founder of Evolving Together interacted with 230 students of the 7th and 8th grades. The workshops were focused on the theme of “Becoming Green Warriors”. Students explored the issue of climate change through the medium of song. The workshop flowed into a discussion with the help of an activity which encouraged the students to think critically about their management and use of natural resources.
POP Movement on An Interactive Map
Click the markers on the map to glance at the POP Movement's activities in different parts of the world