Shillong, Mar 19: The Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with UNICEF India and the Centre for Policy, on Thursday officially launched the Young People’s Action Group (YPAG) at a curtain-raiser event in Shillong.
The YPAG is directly aligned with the Meghalaya Youth Policy 2021 and, in turn, operationalises key goals of youth leadership, civic participation, and environmental responsibility by building practical capacities in policy understanding, research, advocacy, and leadership among young people.
Speaking on the occasion state Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said that he was encouraged know that the youths are well informed about climate change.
Rymbui said that climate change is a reality and it affects livelihoods.
According to him infrastructures like roads and buildings are needed even as he called upon the youths to balance development and environment protection.
Rymbui said that in 2018 when he was the Forest and Environment Minister, he tried to incentivise those who took care of the forests. He said that the state government introduced the “payment for ecosystem” where it paid some amount to land owners so that they take care of forests.
The YPAG aims to build practical capacities in policy understanding, research, advocacy, and leadership among young people, empowering them to drive change in their communities.
Dr. Sampath Kumar, Additional Secretary, Government of Meghalaya said, “Young people must be at the centre of how we think, plan, and act for the future. Through YPAG, you will have the opportunity to study real issues, share your experiences, and contribute ideas that can shape policies related to health, education, and community wellbeing.”
The launch event featured a screening of the video Meghalaya’s Youth for Climate Action, followed by an introduction to YPAG and a panel discussion on “Harnessing Youth for Climate Action in Meghalaya: Building Resilient Communities and Inclusive Policies.”
