An e-course titled ‘Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change for Adolescents and Youth’ got launched today at Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) by the Chief Guest, Dr. Uday Kant Mishra, Hon’ble Vice Chairman, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA). Other dignitaries who graced the launch ceremony included the Guest of Honour, Prof. Sharad Kumar Yadav, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Ms. Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF Bihar, Dr. Rana Singh, Director, CIMP, Mr. Kumod Kumar, CAO, CIMP and Dr. Sibananda Senapati, CIMP.
This course has been developed through a joint effort of UNICEF and the Centre for Climate Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Research and Education, a research and knowledge centre constituted under the aegis of CIMP Centre for CSR and ESG Studies Foundation (CIMP Foundation).
Dr. Rana Singh, Director, CIMP welcomed all dignitaries. He said that this course aims to build capacities of adolescents and youth on climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and sustainable development (and the inter-connect) for helping them to take just actions as informed citizens.
Providing a quick synopsis of the course, Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Programme Specialist (Risk & Resilience), UNICEF Bihar explained each of the eight modules. He further mentioned that anyone can do this course for free of cost.
Delivering his key note address through a detailed presentation, Dr. Uday Kant Mishra touched upon several facets of disaster and also explained how the youth can play an effective role in mitigating disasters. He lauded the youth for having skills like technological proficiency, diversity and inclusivity, environmental consciousness, entrepreneurial spirit and social awareness and hoped that they can effectively handle the responsibilities pertaining to disaster management. In particular, he listed out the key responsibilities, viz. preparedness, awareness and education, training and capacity building, collaboration & networking, empowerment of vulnerable groups, environmental stewardship, volunteerism, community engagement, advocacy and policy influence, etc.
He also underscored the fact that the state government’s flagship programme named “Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali” mission drew world-wide attention and Bihar’s Hon’ble CM Shri Nitish Kumar was invited to address the UN’s “Climate Ambition Round Table Conference”. He concluded by saying that the political will and proactive decisions of the government complemented by the active support and participation of adolescents and youth will lead to disaster risk reduction.
In his address, Prof. Sharad Kumar Yadav, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna urged the youths to pursue the course with full sincerity for this will help them learn about how to assess risk besides developing resilience and mobilizing the community. He also expressed hope that AKU would collaborate with CIMP in courses like this in future.
Citing that all kinds of disasters in Bihar are occurring almost every year and the impact of climate change on children and the young people is more adverse than the other age groups, Ms. Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF Bihar called upon all stakeholders to work together so as to mitigate the impact and slow down the effects of climate change. Applauding the self-paced e-course, she said that it will help the adolescents and youth in enhancing their knowledge and understanding of disaster and issues relating to climate change in the state. Eventually, these well informed adolescents and youths will act as change makers.
During the event, students, faculties and officials of CIMP, officials of BSDMA and media persons were present in large number. Dr. Sibananda Senapati gave the vote of thanks.
