Sharing Workshops on Rio+20 : Flash Back-Youth Perspective, Biratnagar

-By Kabita Gautam

On 14th August 2012, a one day sharing workshop on Rio+20 was organized by Nepal Youth Task Force on Rio+20 in with support from UNESCO, SEN and ICIMOD. There were around 18 youth participants from the regions who have been working on the environment and social issue and some students from conservation science background. The workshop was one among the series of the programs organized in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Mr. Abhishek Shrestha, facilitator of the event started by briefing the history of the Rio+20 Conference and its main themes and objectives. He shared the outcomes on the education for sustainable development from the conference and how it will be effective to the youth from Nepal. He also shared his experience working as a youth campaigner along with other team members of NYTF+20. He also shared how youth from Biratnagar can work with Nepali Youth Task Force on the issues related to sustainable development. 

He also highlighted on the importance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). He reflected on the outcome document and explained the issues regarding education and the commitments made by the head of states. He made the discussion session more interactive as the youth from Biratnagar were aware about Rio+20 Conference as Nepal Youth Task Force had already organized a workshop on basic of Rio+20 before in same place. The participants were more curious about how youth can be a part of implementation phase of the policy that has been committed by government of Nepal and how they can promote ESD for their better future. They were eager about similar activities to be organized by Nepal Youth Task Force so they can be a part of action oriented policy.