The Ark Foundation with support from the Department of Planning & Transformation organised Youth for SDGs: “Promoting Youth Involvement through Cultural Exchange” in Kohima on Saturday.
At the programme, Special Guest R. Ramakrishnan, IAS, Principal Secretary (Planning) and Development Commissioner, highlighted that events such as this have helped to promote cultural understanding and inspired everyone towards positive change. He said events like this have the power to shape youth and future leaders who are culturally aware, empathetic, tolerant, and dedicated to building a more peaceful and inclusive community and thus paving the path for a more inclusive future.
Ramakrishnan also said through such initiatives, we can bridge differences and work together towards common goals, such as the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. He explained that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a shared vision of prosperity, equity, and sustainability for all.
He informed that according to the ‘Youth in India 2022’ report by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India is the second most populous country in the world, but with an average age of 29 years, it has one of the youngest populations globally. With this vast resource of young citizens entering the workforce, it could create a ‘demographic dividend’, the Commissioner stated.
Highlighting that as per the National Youth Policy 2014 report as per Census 2011, 30.9% of Nagaland’s population are youth aged 15 to 29 years, Ramakrishnan said that this demographic is not just statistics but a force for change, innovation, and hope in the state.
Further, the Commissioner added that young people had contributed significantly to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions and driving positive actions and as young leaders of today and tomorrow, youth will not only directly experience the outcome of SDGs, but will also be the key driver for their successful implementation.
He therefore underscored the importance to continue raising awareness about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development among young people, create platforms for dialogues, and promote conditions for active engagement.
Ramakrishnan asserted that the Nagaland Government is committed to work towards creation of adequate opportunities and foster the youth resources of the State for the greater good and overall development.
He said that the Government recognizes the pressing need to align our development efforts with the SDG 2030 agenda, ensuring that no one is left behind and toward this end, the Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC) under the Planning & Transformation Department, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been playing a pivotal role in leading the formulation, streamlining the implementation, and monitoring of the localisation of the SDGs in Nagaland since October 2019.
He also informed that for any technical assistance with SDG implementation in Nagaland, one can contact the SDGCC at sdgnagaland@gmail.com or reach out to SDGCC Nagaland handles on social media platforms.
