The two-day regional workshop under the ‘Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India’ initiative began today at the Centre for Himalayan Studies, Gauhati University. The event brought together youth from across the Northeast with the goal of deepening climate knowledge, leadership, and action through hands-on experiential learning. Jointly organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the British Council, in collaboration with HSBC, the workshop is hosted by Gauhati University as the Knowledge Partner and supported by Vishwa Yuvak Kendra as the Outreach Partner. This Guwahati workshop marks the final chapter in a series of five regional workshops conducted across India.
The initiative focuses on equipping young changemakers with the skills, confidence, and collaborative networks needed to design and implement local solutions to global climate challenges. The inaugural session opened with insightful addresses from Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, Social Transformation & Strategic Alliance Programme, TERI; Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, East and Northeast India, British Council; and Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor, Gauhati University. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Livleen K. Kahlon, Director, Environment Education and Awareness Division, TERI.
In his Welcome Address, Dr. Dipankar Saharia emphasized the urgency of collective climate action, stating, “Everything we do should consider the climate, because the future depends on our actions today. Real change happens when communities come together, and climate action is our responsibility—we must act now.”
Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti introduced the initiative and underscored its importance, saying, “The British Council’s mission is to connect people, foster international trust and cooperation, and promote peace and prosperity. Bringing together so many young minds, we are carrying forward the flame of climate transition. This work is about building the skills and understanding that make climate transition possible. Though this is the last of the five workshops, it is only the beginning of a much longer journey.”
Delivering the Keynote Address, Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta reflected on the urgency of climate change, noting, “Climate change is no longer a topic for discussion in conference halls—it is a reality we face every day. Even a one-degree change in temperature can have disastrous impacts on our livelihoods. Workshops like this are vital because they make students stakeholders in shaping our collective future. Let us use these two days not only to learn, but to act and turn ideas into initiatives.”
Expressing gratitude during her Vote of Thanks, Dr. Livleen K. Kahlon highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing sustainability. “SDG 17 reminds us that partnerships are essential for meaningful progress. They are not just formal arrangements, but shared commitments to a better future. True progress is always collective,” she said.
Throughout the first day, participants took part in engaging activities like Speed Networking, Way of the Gardener, Tree of Expectation, and Power of Questions—each designed to enhance self-awareness, promote collaboration, and connect personal values with environmental issues. Interactive exercises such as A Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes and Gender Box encouraged participants to reflect on inclusivity, empathy, and shared responsibility in climate action.
The Valedictory Session, scheduled for October 24, will bring together key speakers and participants to share insights, discuss learnings, and chart the path forward for advancing youth-led climate initiatives in the region. Closing remarks will be delivered by Dr. Livleen K. Kahlon, Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Dr. Dhurbajyoti Sahariah, and Mr. Ravi Sankar Das, who will emphasize the importance of sustained collaboration among academia, institutions, and youth networks.
The Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India programme, supported by the British Council and HSBC and implemented by TERI, spans five regions across India and builds on similar global efforts in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam. Following successful editions in Goa, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Bhopal, the Guwahati workshop concludes the regional phase of the initiative—fostering local leadership, peer learning, and sustainable climate action.
The initiative will culminate in a five-day Sustainability and Leadership Camp in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, where selected participants will develop and execute social action projects within their institutions and communities, further strengthening a growing network of young leaders driving India’s green transition.
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