The Planning Commission of India : “Help us plan India better!”

It is no easy task to strive for sustainable development and economic growth at the same time! However, the new trend of getting citizens more involved is a good indicator that the participatory approach is increasingly being viewed as the key to sustainable development.

For the first time, the Planning Commission of India has managed to set up a web-based consultation during the preparation of the Approach Paper to the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-2017). An Interactive website has been created to enable all interested stakeholders to voice their opinions. The new web-based approach has completed the on-site consultations conducted across the country by organizations representing the various groups of citizens such as women, dalits and youth. All stakeholders have been encouraged to give their comments on the Twelve Strategy Challenges that refer to some core areas for sustainable development. Twelve challenges that all stakeholders interested in building a sustainable future should address.
For more details please see the above link.

Event highlights: the Student Energy International Case Challenge

Imagine 120 students around the world were given the opportunity to tackle a real world energy problem. That was exactly what happened when the Student Energy International Case Challenge (ICC) (ICC Programs) took place on Jan 31st and Feb 1st, 2012. Students in North America and Asia were asked to develop a Global Framework of high-potential ideas to tackle the following problem: “As a global community, how do we provide emerging/developing nations with the energy services necessary to continue their rapid growth – and thereby continue to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty – without jeopardizing the well-being of future generations?”. Definitely one of the core issues of sustainability!

The Student Energy ICC was made up of two separate but interconnected events. The main one took place in New Delhi, in conjunction with two world-class events organized by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)  (TERI Website) : the Youth United Voluntary Action (YUVA) meet (YUVA MEET) and the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2012 (http://dsds.teriin.org/2012/). The Youth United for Voluntary Action meet was held on 30th-31st Jan, bringing together youngsters from all over the world. Selected participants had the opportunity to take part in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) on 2nd-4th February 2012 and the Student Energy Challenge which was held between the two TERI-sponsored events, on Feb 1st. 

A satellite event was held in Calgary, Canada on Jan 31 by ISEEESA (Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy) (http://www.iseeesa.com/) a student organization at the University of Calgary. Students in Canada tackled the same challenge as their counterpart in India. The former came up with a framework from the perspective of developed countries, while the latter came up with a framework from the perspective of developing countries. If you are interested in the Challenge results, please see: Student Challenge. We are so glad India hosted this very special event, which shows once more the high potential of the youth all over the world. The Student Energy ICC proves that sustainability can be achieved only through a multidisciplinary approach and the joint efforts of all countries. So, let’s join our efforts for a sustainable future!