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Licypriya receiving the SDGs Ambassador Award 2019 from Deepak Dwivedi, Chairman & Editor -in-Chief of Dainik Bhaskar.
Chandigarh, November 20 (MExN): 8 year old Indian Child Climate Activist Licypriya Kangujam & Dr SS Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University was honored with the SDGs Ambassador Award 2019 during the 10th Session of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) at Chandigarh University by NITI Aayog, Government of India & Dainik Bhaskar on November 20. They were appointed as the Honorary SDGs Ambassador till 2030.
United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) was launched on November 18, 2010 by Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at UN Headquarters in New York City, a press release from L Karthic, Media Coordinator stated.
The Award was handed over to Licypriya by Deepak Dwivedi, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of Dainik Bhaskar in a ceremony in the presence of Michael Oquaye, Ghana Envoy to India, Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog and other dignitaries and officials from various agencies.
It was held in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), ONGC, Nagrik Foundation, Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, Chandigarh University & UNAI.
SDGs Choupal was also launched during the closing ceremony to implement various projects to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on ground by focusing on the rural areas of India with equal participation. Vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also highlighted in a short film.
“I am coming all the way, thousands of kilometers by rising funds to tell you adults that you must change your way of thinking. Coming here today, I have no my hidden agenda. I am fighting for my future,” said Licypriya.
She said “Losing my future is not like losing an election or few points on the stock market. I am here to speak for all generations to come. I am here to speak on behalf of the starving children around the world who cries and go unheard. I am here to speak for the countless animals dying on this planet because they have nowhere to go. I am afraid to go to the sun now because there is a hole in our ozone. I am afraid to breathe the air because I don’t know what chemicals are on it.”
“Governments are busy in blaming each other instead of finding a long term solutions on the deadly air pollution. No children unable to go out of the home in Delhi. All schools have been shut down by the Government. They are just telling the speech. I want the government to do more action. They must act now otherwise our future will be dying”, Licypriya stated.
“Why should I come and speak here. I have to go to my school; I have to read my books. I have to play. I have to study. But you all ruined my childhood life and my beautiful future. Please understand my feelings. Please protect our environment and please save our future,” she added.
Hundreds of participants gave a standing ovation after her speech as a salute to her courage and inspirations.
Michael Oquaye, Ghana Envoy to India lauded Licypriya Speech and said, “Donald Trump must listen to this speech of an 8 year old girl. Our leaders must unite now to fight the global challenges. When I was 8 years old, I am not sure we can even read and write. Licypriya’s speech changed my day and this is the most attentive speech I ever heard.”
Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog stressed that “India, home to one-sixth of all humanity, is cognizant of its role and responsibility in working towards a sustain- able future of the planet and all its life. The country has taken proactive steps at the national and sub-national levels to adopt, implement, and monitor SDGs. The localization of SDGs is an agenda of central importance.”
