CHANDIGARH, SEPT 28 : As hundreds of international students united on the GGD SD College campus, Yuvsatta, a local NGO, collaborated with Oxfam India to launch the “We Pledge, You Promise” campaign. Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Mukul Mudgal inaugurated the campaign. Justice Surya Kant also graced the occasion.
Over 1,000 youth from different parts of the world took a pledge to initiate actions related to sustainable consumption. The youth also demanded action from world leaders to take the globe on a low-carbon pathway.
On the hot Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of youth from Spain, Afghanistan and twenty other countries planted trees as a symbolic gesture at the inauguration of Peace Festival. They signed a pledge which said “Young people are taking actions, it is now time for World leaders to take action.’’ The young crowd donned green ribbons as a symbolic gesture to do their bit for adopting a green lifestyle.
An online campaign by the same name, “We Pledge, You Promise”, was launched by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Pawan Kumar Bansal. A big canvas comprising pledges and promises was posted at GGD SD College auditorium for delegates to express their solidarity for the climate change movement.
Addressing the gathering Pawan Kumar Bansal advocated a simple living & high thinking, quoting Gandhi he said world will be more better & peaceful if people understand that ‘earth can provide everything for their need but not for anyone’s greed”.
“The aim is to create a sense of momentum for the international climate movement and link the actions of the youth with the global campaign,’’ said Ms. Moutushi Sengupta, Director, Programs and Advocacy, Oxfam India. “There is considerable awareness amongst the youth and middle class which gives an opportunity to shape the public opinion to demand for a low carbon pathway for India, ‘’ Dr. AC Vaid Principal of the College added.
“The objective is to give a platform to the youth to do their bit to adopt a green lifestyle and to contribute to the climate change movement,’’ said Pramod Sharma, Coordinator of Yuvsatta.“We are happy to be part of an international movement and we thank Oxfam India for giving us this opportunity.’’
Climate Scam: NGO credibility hit a new low. The shame much worse than their Rwandan Genocide culpability
NGOs have moved from back stage to centre stage in world politics, and are exerting their power and influence in every aspect of international relations and policy making. They have in most part, been a positive force in domestic and international affairs. However, in recent times, various global Climate Justice Networks have popped up. These are platforms mainly constituted and controlled by Northern NGOs.
We as member of the NGO fraternity or general public seldom research their record of accomplishment; or ask awkward questions on northern NGOs policies; or chase facts behind their claims and publicity spin. One of the most basic questions as we dig deeper is what kind of credentials do these northern NGOs possess to champion justice issues. Simply put – are they committed to principles of justice as portrayed in their carefully cultivated public image?
If we go back to history, what we find is that they have a chequered past in terms of justice credentials. Rwandan Genocide until now had been regarded as the worst shame of NGO behaviour. This was genocide where an estimated 800,000 were massacred. The nineties saw NGOs soul-searching on such behaviour even as today NGO workers remain mentally scarred of experiences such as Rwanda. Apparently lessons have not been learnt as we find that through their climate advocacy they have not repeating the mistakes of the past but the shame hit a new low.