Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120450450200.htm

New Delhi

Youth to spread climate change message

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

New programme to promote awareness and mobilise support

NEW VISTAS: Les Dangerfield (left) of the British Council and R.K. Pachauri of TERI.

NEW DELHI: Sixty youngsters from India and five from Sri Lankan nationals will be chosen as ambassadors for communicating the message of climate change as part of the International Climate Champions-2009.

The British Council in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has launched the youth-oriented programme aimed at inspiring young people, especially students, to spread word about climate change, its effects and what can be done to mitigate them.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the British Council and TERI here on Wednesday to jointly manage and implement the programme across India and Sri Lanka.

Referring to the role of young ambassadors, TERI Director-General R.K. Pachauri said: “Catching the young minds and orienting them towards environmental stewardship is our ultimate goal. This programme has an enormous potential for transforming Indian society towards greater environmental consciousness and support for sustainable development.”

Dr. Pachauri, who is also chairman of Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, added: “TERI has come a long way in strengthening human and institutional capacity on nature conservation and environmental protection with the help of environment education and allied activities.”

For his part, Les Dangerfield, acting director of British Council Division, British High Commission, said the programme was an important part of the British Council’s global work to encourage awareness and action on climate change.

Training and awareness-building workshops will be conducted jointly by TERI’s Environment Education and Awareness (EEA) Area, supported by the Institute’s office establishments across India and the British Council offices.

The Indo-Sri Lankan exercise is part of the British Council’s international programme conducted in countries such as Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S.

Youngsters between 18-21 years are eligible to enter the competition. The selection process consists of two phases. In Phase I, applicants will be short-listed based on their online applications. Selection during Phase II will be based on proposals and interviews of the short-listed applicants.