LAHORE: The second day of the 1st International Youth Summit (IYSL 2017), which was kicked off at the University of Lahore on Monday, shed light on three pillars of sustainability – social, environmental and economic.
The theme of the second day was ‘Sustainability’, which elaborated on how to live on the planet in a sustainable manner and show restraint in the use of resources available. The responsibilities of an individual at national and international level and action plans for sustainable development to ensure peace and stability were also discussed in detail. Keynote speakers at the second day were Peace Child International President David Woollcombe and Punjab Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gillani, who spoke on SDG Goal 8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) and global peace and sustainability, respectively.
This was followed by the opening plenary entitled ‘Understanding the Global Challenge of Sustainability’, which consisted of Ahmad Iqbal – chairman District Council Narowal and patron IYSL, Cherni Marwen – researcher and social activist (Tunisia), Marina Khan – social activist and ambassador at Jumpstart Pakistan, Zhansaya Kyzylbayeva – University of Hong Kong (Kazakhstan) and Joao Pedro Maciente Rocha – Programme Manager at ITDP Brazil as panelists with Naseem Khan Achakzai, founder CSRP and IYSL director as moderators.
The day also included two workshops entitled ‘Climate Reality Training’ by David Woollcombe and ‘Good Health & Wellbeing’ by Sabrine Hamdi. Tribe Clan meetings were held after the sessions so the delegates and attendees could discuss ideas and interact with each other.
The day closed with a musical performance by students of the University of Lahore.
It might be mentioned that the IYSL 2017 is being organised by the Center of Sustainability, Research and Practice in collaboration with the University of Lahore as the host institution.
IYSL 2017 will extend over five days focusing on three thematic areas – peace, education and sustainability. It also promises to be a one of a kind event and hopes to become a catalyst of change for the youth of the nation.
Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2017.
