In order to discuss Stockholm+50 priorities and climate movements, youth delegates from the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) and the Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP) met with Ms. Carin Jämtin, Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Ms. Carin Jämtin met with three youth leaders and representatives of indigenous communities on June 2, 2022, to address the top concerns for the Stockholm+50 global summit and the current climate movements among youth. Dr. Michael V. L. Chhandama, an Indian YECAP Fellow and Mover Envoy for the Movers Programme, attended this meeting. Dr. Michael revealed his emotional memories and early involvement in climate change during the discussion with Ms. Carin Jämtin.
Dr. Michael completed his PhD in Biotechnology, under the guidance of Dr. Kumudini Belur Satyan, Associate Professor at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), specialising in Bioenergy Production and has been in the research field for more than five years now. He will be awarded his doctorate in the upcoming convocation. In addition to the Movers Programme and YECAP, Dr. Michael is also a member of the Young People Action Team (YPAT) under Generation Unlimited and a young ambassador of the Earth Day organisation. He has facilitated a Climate Justice National Consultation for the Stockholm+50 Youth Task Force in India and assisted the regional youth community in Asia and the Pacific in organising numerous climate action workshops and panel discussions while serving as a YECAP Fellow.
Dr. Michael co-founded Chawikan, which translates to uplift, after taking inspiration from numerous youth-led events and activities. Through various initiatives, Chawikan works to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among the local youth. The organisation aids up-and-coming local entrepreneurs through free marketing, advertising, and promotion of their goods. They have held numerous seminars and offered opportunities like internships, scholarships, and competitions keeping in mind the relevance of 21st-century skills for the development of youngsters, particularly in the tribal community.
The meeting also covered the youth's viewpoint on the costs of environmental projects and services to combat climate change, the sustainability of the YECAP and AIYP platforms, and whether Dr. Michael and other delegates are either optimistic or pessimistic about the situation and challenges related to the current climate.
Dr. Michael said that he uses his anger as a catalyst for action and deeper engagement. He acknowledged having hope because of the progress that young climate leaders in the Asia-Pacific region are making collectively, particularly, when they share and amplify their voices in welcoming spaces with Sida and other important partners, stakeholders, donors, organisations, and civil societies.
