Gangtok: The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Conclave of Civil 20 (C20), one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20, was inaugurated in Gangtok on Saturday. Over 200 Indian and international delegates, including policy makers, academicians, and leaders of civil society organizations, are participating in discussions and workshops at the two-day event.
The deliberations revolve around the global policies related to Climate Resilience and Social Justice, Net-Zero Emission Management, Environment Sustainability and Compassion Driven Approaches. The participants would identify the gaps in these areas and brainstorm innovative solutions which will directly impact the policy recommendations to be launched at the C20 Summit in July 2023.
Kunga Nima Lepcha, Minister, Land Revenue & Disaster Management, Govt. of Sikkim said, “Sustainable and resilient communities are able to meet their present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and recover from various environmental, social and economic challenges. Since 2015, the Sikkim Government has taken many measures to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability, infrastructure and technology, and emergency preparedness. Sikkim has topped in all parameters of Sustainable Development Goals for 2021 in the North-East region. We are the first state in the world to turn fully organic.”
Kunga Nima Lepcha added, “Being a small Himalayan state subject to various manmade and natural challenges, we are committed to learning from the best practices in the world to secure our future. Many organizations are partnering with Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority regarding this, and I welcome all help, initiatives, and ideas in this direction. All of us in the world need to come together to join hands to secure the future of our next generations. This cannot be done by working in isolation. Despite remarkable diversity, all people need to consider themselves as world citizens so that all mouths can be fed and the nature protected.”
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Troika and Steering Committee Member, C20, and Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math said, “Climate change is happening at an unprecedented rate today and can no longer be dismissed as a myth. The change is so severe that according to some calculations, human species may not exist beyond another 50 years. My request to scientifical and technological community is to ensure a symbiosis of science and spirituality so that both work harmoniously. We shouldn’t be suspicious or reluctant to experience and accept the spiritual recommendations offered to us by the ancient seers, especially when all their concerns of end of humanity are on the verge of coming true.”
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said, “Amma highlights the false sense of security provided to us by modern technology which makes us forget the delicate nature of life on this planet. We need to think beyond our borders, diversity, and differences, and see the world from a perspective of oneness, as emphasized by India’s G20 slogan of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Sustainable and Resilient Working Group Coordinator and Professor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham said, “Guided by the vision of C20 Chair, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, this Conclave provides a platform for the civil society organizations and delegates from around the world to engage in deeper dialogues to address the challenges and gaps in the areas of climate resilience, social justice, environmental sustainability and net zero emission management with an aim to help build communities that are sustainable and resilient.”
Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh said, “I am delighted that the event is being held in partnership with the Sikkim Government. Sikkim is a state which is truly an example of sustainability and resilience. The policy deliberations among a multitude of stakeholders will bring out the recommendations to be provided to the G20 leadership team. I sincerely hope that this will help pave the way to develop scalable models that can be adopted to multiple countries.”
During the event, a seedball distribution campaign was launched in Sikkim by the C20 Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Working Group, in association with AYUDH, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s global youth wing. The global campaign aims to disperse one million seedballs in fragile ecosystems worldwide and create general awareness in people about the significance of seedballs in restoring ecological balance.
