World Youth Summit in India concludes

A great number of youths from at least 100 countries appeared in an international youth summit, from March 29 to April 02, 2015, held in Manipuri capital of Imphal, India.

Club 25 International Manipur, under the collaboration of International Youth Committee organized the mega event, ‘World Youth Summit-2015’ at the City Convention, Imphal under the theme of ‘Youth for Global Empowerment’.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur as the Chief Guest of the function, Shri Gaikhangam, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Prof. N. Rajmuhon Singh, Chairman, WYS 2015 India and Prof W.C. Singh, Co- Chairman, WYS 2015 India as the Guests of Honour of the event. Prof. Ram Boojh, National Program Specialist, UNESCO, New Delhi and Prof Chandan Ghosh, Head Geo Hazard Division, NIDM, Ministry of Home Affairs were the Special Guests of the function. And Shri K. Kanarjit Singh, Convenor, WYS 2015 India graced the ceremony as the President.

More than 500 delegates, both Indian and International youth leaders took part in this mega youth event.

The set of objectives of the five-day long summit aimed at empowering the youths, through creating venues for sharing experiences and flowing ideas regarding concerned global issues, among the youths of different continents.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Shri O. Ibobi Singh Hon’ble CM of Manipur said: “It is a great joy that the World Youth Summit 2015 India is being held in Manipur. The future of a society rests in the hands of the youth. You are the future. And youth should be empowered in every possible way.”

World Youth Summit 2015 Convener, Kanarjit Kangujam Singh remarked, "In the global view, the role of the youth is important in any kind of empowerment, sustainable development, poverty eradication or any other issue. However, due to lack of mutual understanding and negotiations process, (the desired level of) global progress is lagging behind. So we generally focus on the world programs on action for the youth, developed by United Nations Youth Assembly in 1991.To make people aware of these points, we are organizing this youth summit (every year). We are also focusing on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations and also to achieve the post-2015 agenda.”

This International summit left scopes for the youths to voice what they suffer and concern I their respective communities.

‘Global Youth Award 2015’ winner and Youth President of Zimbabwe United Nations Association, Mcleo Mapfumo expressed his gratitude saying, ‘My fellow youth delegates from across the globe, this is the most definite moment to express my gratitude and expression towards a very fruitful one week of exposure, learning, laughs and sharing of ideas, at the end of the day what matters most is love. We have been one big happy and joyous family that was psychologically empowered, making frantic efforts to live your families and countries, showing great strides and determination. I do hope everyone arrived safely despite some unforeseen circumstances here and there, (such is expected of in life). We met new people, different, tender, sweet and more adorable and I believe that was for a purpose and a reason. We might stumble along the way but let us not lose hope, let us learn to accept anything that comes along our way and make the best out of every negativity. Unfortunately time flew so we had to return to our respective places and continue the journey towards our legacies. Let us build a common ground because of this Summit. All of you guys are people who would rather light a candle, than curse the darkness."

Indian delegate, Ratnesh Mishra said (as paraphrased), ‘…World Youth Summit 2015 at Imphal, under the theme, ‘Youth for Global Empowerment’, was overwhelming experiences and learning scopes for me. The interaction with youths from the globe was fantastic. I observe today that the youths demonstrated a high volume of energy to keep the globe advancing as per their positive visions, in order to find solutions out addressing global challenges....

They Believe in humanity, Asking for freedom of choice , Ready to find solution for Racism, Passion to be President of country and ready to wrote new history in his/ her interesting area’.

"We should all discuss the world's problems and the youth are important because we are passionate and we have a lot of energy. Therefore, we can talk about it. It's a great opportunity for everyone," said Petra Navacekova, a participant from Slovakia.

"The youth should lead the world. It is the 21st century. It's our time. We should be at the forefront in innovations, changing ideas and things that will change the world. I believe that the older generations lived in the times of wars and so many other things but we are the technological generation so, we should be at the forefront of change and lead the change. So I believe this is a good thing," said Evechiene Ajuluchu Kwu B, a participant from Nigeria.

Solomi Dunai, a participant from Manipur said, "I am very excited and I hope that we will get to learn a lot of new things from this event where a lot of people from all over the world have come together."

The writer is the recipient of ‘Global Youth Award-2014’. For further queries, please contact at [email protected]