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Message from Our Chief Mentor
On Earth Day this year, the POP Movement completed two years of its formal existence, having been launched in Mexico City on Earth Day 2016. In this period we have been able to establish centers of activity in different parts of the world, but as yet these represent modest efforts which need substantial scaling up. Efforts are now in hand to bring on board regular staff who would be able to carry out extensive and continuous communication with all the actors currently involved in this program and those who would be joining in the future. It is also important that we use channels such as the social media for spreading the word about the POP Movement and why it is crucially important for youth across the globe to take the lead in tackling climate change. It is our belief that national governments on their own will fall far short of what is required to keep the temperature increase below 2 degrees centigrade relative to pre-industrial levels, as laid down in the Paris agreement. Given the enormity of the challenge and the urgency of action required, an effort to scale up has to be undertaken rapidly and extensively. While we are still in the initial stages of this Movement, we now have much greater clarity on what needs to be done with the benefit of responsive actors all over the world who realize the responsibility that youth carry in dealing with the challenge. Dr. R. K. Pachauri Chief Mentor |
POP Partners with the World Sustainable Development Forum
The POP Movement partnered with the World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF) which was held in Mexico City on February 1-2, 2018. The video below is an important message from the forum.
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Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
POP Global Mentor Heeta Lakhani and Anushree Lokhande, founder of Evolving Together conducted a workshop on climate change for kids ages 8+ at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai on February 11, 2018. The kids were engaged with the workshop through use of song, games, and storytelling based on true events. The children were quick to understand the severity of the problem facing the planet and to came up with solutions they could implement to help solve the climate crisis, while also influencing members of their family to take action on the issue of climate change.
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Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai
International Congress, Mexico City & Youth Peace Week
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The Chief Mentor was invited by the students of the Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de Mexico for a set of events which included 1) mixing with the students at a cocktail reception, 2) meeting with and addressing students from Tecnologico de Monterrey at Santa Fe, 2) taking part in a panel discussion on climate change and the POP Movement along with Dr. Adrian Fernandez, Director Ejecutivo of the Iniciativa Climatica de Mexico and an address by the Chief Mentor for the students of Ibero on the POP Movement. The students of the University have agreed to launch the POP Movement in that institution.
An evening was spent in Oaxaca as part of the Youth Peace Week addressing a gathering of youth and other prominent citizens of Oaxaca, in which the other speakers were Senor Jesus Leon Santos, winner of the Goldman award in 2008 and Dr. Modesto Seara, Conddecoracion del Aguila Azteca 1976. The Governor of the State of Oaxaca was scheduled to join the event but just before the event that evening an earthquake took place in the state, and he was compelled to go for that emergency. It is expected that some schools in Oaxaca will implement the POP Movement from the next school session. |
International Congress in Mexico City, February, 2018
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Judging the Green Schools Campaign
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POP Global Mentor Heeta Lakhani was invited to judge the Green Schools Campaign 2017-18 organized by GreenLine, which was held on February 22-23, 2018. The theme for this year was to “Go Trashless”. Five schools from in and around Mumbai were announced winners. Students and teachers from each winning school showcased their efforts and approaches to reducing trash in their schools and surroundings. They also presented various uses of waste materials and celebrated “anti-litter day” with rallies, street plays and slogans. Each school was recognized as being a change maker!
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Green Schools Campaign by GreenLine
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POP in China
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The Chief Mentor visited Changsha in China, which is the focal point of POP Movement activities in China. Discussions were held with Chairman Zhang Yue of the Broad Group who is hosting the POP Movement in China and providing organizational and financial support as part of his outstanding record of philanthropy. The POP Movement now has a full time Youth Mentor in Changsha, Ms. Wen Tian, who has master’s degree from the University College London. Discussions were held with our Chinese partner NGO, the Mentor Association as well as partners such as Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) as well as the Hunan International Low Carbon Technology Exchange Center. Any international group launching activities from outside China faces some initial challenges, but efforts are being made to see that progress is achieved in this field at least by creating models of educational institutions whose record and achievements can be emulated by others across that country.
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POP Movement and Partners in China
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Partnership with Youth Peace Week
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The POP Movement has partnered with the Youth Peace Week led by the Peace Foundation in New Zealand.
The Chief Mentor has sent a special message to young people around the world about the importance of peace in Protecting Our Planet. |
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Discussions with La Martinière Institutions
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On March 8, 2018 the Chief Mentor visited the city of Lyon in France where discussions were held with students and staff of the three La Martinière institutions. On the basis of these discussions and several preparatory steps undertaken primarily by the students, the POP Movement is likely to make advancements in these three schools. The initiative and enterprise of Martin Ginot, a student of one of the schools, and the support and involvement of the principals and teachers of the three institutions is a great asset for ensuring success.
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Martin Ginot
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Avanti Young Women Leadership Program
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On March 8, 2018, POP Global Mentor Heeta Lakhani was invited by the Blue Ribbon Movement to be chief guest at their "Avanti Young Women Leadership Program" award ceremony. Heeta addressed close to 80 young girls (ages 12-14) and shared her story with them. The young girls who had received leadership skills training through the year, carried out various social or environmental initiatives. They conversed with Heeta and asked questions about leadership and leaderships skills building. Heeta inspired them to dream big and to believe in themselves. She shared a quote by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, "A dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.” Heeta discussed the POP Movement with the girls and emphasized the need for young people to take responsibility and action to secure their own future.
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Avanti Young Women Leadership Program
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Plant-for-the-Planet Event in Monte Carlo
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A student run organization, Plant-for-the-Planet, had organized a one-day event in Monte Carlo, Monaco on March 9, 2018. In this event Plant-for-the-Planet, which is a partner organization of the POP Movement, pledged and announced a program for planting a trillion trees across the globe through the efforts of their Plant-for-the-Planet ambassadors who are school children in different parts of the world. The Chief Mentor made a brief presentation to the audience at this event.
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Dr. Pachauri's Talk in Monaco
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Youth Initiative to Tackle Climate Change, Sendai, Japan
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On March 13, the Miyagi University of Education in Sendai, Japan had organized a major event at which the Chief Mentor made a presentation on “Youth Initiative to Tackle Climate Change”. This was a heart-warming and inspiring experience with about 600 students from the ages of around 10 years upwards to 18. After the presentation and Q&A session, perhaps the most perceptive and clearly the most intelligent question was put forward by a ten year old girl. The Miyagi Prefecture is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It also suffered heavily in the Tsunami of 2011. Schools in this prefecture carried out a program of education on sustainable development as well as on ocean science. The Miyagi University of Education is taking the lead in implementing the POP Movement in that prefecture.
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Meeting at Miyagi University of Education Primary School
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POP Partners with Estoril Institute for Global Dialogue, Portugal
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During the period March 18 to 21 the Chief Mentor and Senior Mentor travelled to Portugal through the initiative and support of Estoril Conferences. The following activities were carried out.
Monday, March 19, 2018 Debate towards the theme of Climate Change at Casa das Historias Paula Rego March 19th afternoon to March 21st morning Presentation of the POP Movement to the students of High Schools of Cascais 19th afternoon – St. Julian’s School 20th morning – High School of Alvide 20th afternoon – High School lBN Mucana March 21st Presentation on “Youth Initiatives to Tackle Climate Change” by Dr. Pachauri and Dr. Ash Pachauri in Cascais, Portugal. The Estoril Conferences, a dynamic and forward looking organization, have agreed to become partners of the POP Movement in implementing a program of activities in the schools of Cascais, to be extended later to other institutions in Portugal. |
Students at Alvide School, Cascais, Portugal (top); Students with the POP Team at IBN Mucana School, Cascias, Portugal (bottom left); Dr. Pachauri with Mr. Miguel Arrobas Municpality Director Education (bottom right)
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University of Donja Gorica, Montenegro
The Chief Mentor visited the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) in Podgorica, Montenegro and presentations on the POP Movement were made to the faculty and students of the University. UDG has followed a novel approach of getting two young ladies as volunteers from outside the University to act as catalysts for the POP Movement in that University. On the occasion of that visit the Chief Mentor also participated in a meeting of the Steering Committee, which he chairs for the Centre of Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy (CCCNRE) in the University. A further roundtable discussion on the POP Movement also took place at the University, and in a conference organized to define research priorities a presentation was made on “Research on Climate Change in the World”. It is expected that UDG and the CCCNRE would become an important focal point for the POP Movement in that region of Europe.
Club of Rome, Switzerland
On April 7, the Chief Mentor attended the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Club of Rome at Winterthur, Switzerland, where he delivered an address on “From The Limits to Growth to Limiting Climate Change”. During the course of his presentation he highlighted the importance of youth taking the lead in limiting climate change and its impacts.
Local Speaks
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On April 15, 2018, Heeta Lakhani, POP Movement was invited as a speaker by Local Speaks, "an Intra-Community initiative to recognize and acknowledge the hidden heroes in our communities”. Heeta discussed why youth-led climate action is important and why there is a need for young people to lead change in this area. She introduced the POP Movement and told the audience about her work through the Movement with schools in and around Mumbai.
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Heeta Lakhani at Local Speaks
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EarthX, Dallas
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During the period April 18 to 22, the Chief Mentor and Senior Mentor participated in several activities related to Earth Day 2018 organized by EarthX of Dallas.
Apart from several events in which both the Chief Mentor and Senior Mentor participated, presentations were made on “Update on Science” at the session “EarthxPolicy: Energy Done Right”; on “Discussion on Climate Change” at the Green Speaker Series; and on “Introduction to the State of the Ocean” at the EarthxOcean Conference. |
Oceans Diversity and Advocacy Panel (top right); At EarthX with Dr. Sylvia Earle (top center); At Oceans Conference Plenary with Dr. Sylvia Earle (top right); At the Oceans Banquet with Mr. Trammell Crow (bottom left); at the Earthx Oceans Conference (bottom right)
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Meetings in Mexico City and Cinema Planeta, Cuernavaca
During the period April 23 to 26 the Chief Mentor held discussions in Mexico City with the POP team of UNAM, with the Iniciativa Climatica de Mexico, and held meetings with Dr. Eduardo Abel Peñalosa Castro, General Rector, Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) and Dr. Irma Adriana Gómez Cavazos, Official Mayor, Ministry of Public Education (SEP) and several other officials and professionals. It is expected that the POP Movement in UNAM will expand rapidly and POP activities will be initiated soon in the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) as well as Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM).
On April 26, the Chief Mentor participated in the Annual Environmental Film Festival organized by Cinema Planeta in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Among various interactive events, a presentation was made to a group of film producers to focus on climate change. Some of the movie actors from Mexico, who were present on the occasion, agreed to become brand ambassadors for the POP Movement and also initiate activities on their spheres of influence.
On April 26, the Chief Mentor participated in the Annual Environmental Film Festival organized by Cinema Planeta in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Among various interactive events, a presentation was made to a group of film producers to focus on climate change. Some of the movie actors from Mexico, who were present on the occasion, agreed to become brand ambassadors for the POP Movement and also initiate activities on their spheres of influence.
Meetings in California
On April 27 the Chief Mentor held meetings with Mr. Terry Tamminen and Mr. Anil Kakani, who are both Board members of WSDF-North America. A meeting was also held with Mr. Lance Ignon, a distinguished communications specialist, who is now with USC Dornsife, Southern California.
Interactive Session at J B Petit High School for Girls
POP Global Mentor, Heeta Lakhani was invited to J B Petit High School for Girls in Mumbai on April 20, 2018 to conduct an introductory workshop on climate change awareness with students of Grade 9. She interacted with about 30 girls with whom she discussed role of human activity in inducing climate change. The students were moved by a video which was screened about climatic changes being witnessed in the Arctic region and the impact of climate change on its biodiversity, especially endangered future of the Polar Bear. Heeta emphasized the role of consumerism and wastefulness in depleting the earth's limited natural resources. The girls pledged to bring about a change in their own lives, especially when utilizing planet's scare 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