Interaction Program (Series I) : Mobilize the Earth from Earth Day to The Earth Summit (Rio+20)

-By Kabita Gautam

On the occasion of 42nd anniversary of Earth day, the series of Interaction Programs kicked off in Kathmandu which was jointly organized by Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20 along with Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), Earth Day Network, WWF Nepal, The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The program started with the registration which was facilitated by Mr. Jeeban Panthi (Core Team Member, Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20). With a short welcome speech and general introduction of speakers and participants, Mr. Avishek Shrestha (Core Team Member, Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20) facilitated the program followed by overview presentation by Ms. Shreejana Bhattarai (Core Team Member, Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20) on objectives and activities of Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20 and the Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20. Approximately 30 participants attend first event in this series held on 22 April 2012 at NEFEJ Headquarters, Thapathali. Mr. Bhairab Risal (Renowned Journalist), Mr. Krishna Gyawali (Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal), Mr. Tek Jung Mahat (Rio+20 Co-Focal Point at ICIMOD) and Ms. Kabita Gautam (Major Group on Children and Youth - MGCY) served as the panelists.

Mr. Bhairab Risal, as the first speaker of the interaction program reflected the importance of Earth Day Celebration. He gave an insight on the ongoing cruel activities of human adding unnecessary pressure on this earth. Answering to the question rose from the floor; he underscored the consequences of such activities, presenting few examples from the rural areas of Nepal. He also said what have been done by the past generations should be seriously comprehended and considered by present generation and many others to come.

Mr. Krishna Gyawali then reflected on the objectives and outcomes of the International Conference of Mountain Countries on Climate Change, held in Kathmandu Nepal from 5-6 April 2012, with the aim of developing common positions of mountainous countries and some others who are simply promoting mountain agenda, that eventually concluded with adoption of the ‘Kathmandu Call for Action’. Highlighting the need of institutionalization of the Government of Nepal led Mountain Initiative for Climate Change Adaptation; he said there will be another conference on the month of June in Rio that will specifically focus on the implementation strategies to follow up deliberations of the “Kathmandu Call for Action”. He also updated the improvement of governance and policies regarding environment in Nepal. There was a question from the floor regarding the role of Ministry on IEE and EIA for the ongoing destruction in the environment as well as the loss of biodiversity. Answering on this question Mr. Gyawali explained that the lack of proper monitoring system by government and the commitment between the communities and the respective stakeholders might be the reason for improper EIA process in Nepal. Realizing the importance of proper implementation and monitoring of EIA, he showed his major concerned on Environmental Inspectors and Environmental Council. 

Another question for Mr. Gyawali from the floor was: What had been Ministry of Environment doing for the fresh graduates of Environmental Science? Talking about the opportunities and employment for the environmental graduates he also explained about few policies and practices that the Ministry is trying to bring into action in coming years. 

The session was then followed by sharing of knowledge on Rio+20 preparations in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and South East Asia and Pacific (SEAP) by Mr. Tek Jung Mahat from ICIMOD. Giving the overview of the process and preparations, and level and type of interventions at different level, he underscored the need to advocate mountain issues as Nepal is largely a mountainous country and Nepal’s prosperity solely relies on level of mountain development. He updated the participants on Rio+20 process and present level of development and urged all concerned to support this initiative now and in the coming days in Rio and beyond to better reflect mountain issues in global document and put pressure on national governments to give adequate attention to mountain issues through development of mountain friendly policies and convincing instruments to address mountain issues and addressing need of mountain people. He also added the impact of climate change in Himalayan Region will affect the millions living both upstream and downstream. He also highlighted achievements of Asia Pacific Youth Forum in August 2011, South and Central Asia regional Virtual Consultation in May 2011 and many other activities that were implemented by ICIMOD taking youth and youth organisation on board to contribute to Rio+20 process. 

Explaining on how youth have been contributing in Rio+20, Ms. Kabita Gautam emphasized the importance of youth as the one of the major groups recognized by UNCSD. She highlighted Youth as the effective change agents who are dedicative, enthusiastic, creative and productive as well as are full of energy. She also added Youth to face the consequences of the emerging global issues and they are the one to bring change in behavior to combat the consequences. Answering to the question rose from the floor about the involvement of youth in Rio+20 processes, she reflected the activities and conference calls that has been carried out by the Major Groups of Children and Youth in different sectors. She also encouraged youth to get involved in such activities and conference calls to strengthen the voices of youth. She also said that there is lack of youth from mountainous countries actively working with the major groups which might be the reason that Mountain is not counted in the major seven issues in Rio+20. She alerts that it’s high time for mountain youth to strengthen their presence and speak up for the mountains as 1.3 billion people depend on the water that flows from the Himalayan glaciers. 

After the grand successful of the interaction program, Mr. Sagar Aryal (Core Team Member, Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20) resumed the first series with the vote of thanks. The second series of this Interaction program will be held in the 1st week of May.

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