In a significant effort to promote sustainable development and youth engagement, Kathmandu Model College (KMC) joined hands with the United Nations Information Center to organize the SDG Youth Outreach event at the college premise in Bagbazar, Kathmandu.
More than 200 students and faculties from 20 different colleges and different universities alike participated in the event. The event featured a diverse agenda aimed at fostering awareness and action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the opening remarks, Mr. Surendra Subedi, the College Chief of KMC, stated the need of the youth to embrace the SDG into their studies. Similarly, Ms. Simrika Sharma, National Information Officer at United Nations Information Center, stated young leaders, experts, and organizations to come together and chart a course toward a sustainable future.
The program featured a detailed presentation from Mr. Subash Nepali, Economic and Sustainable Development Advisor at UN Regional Country Office. He discussed Nepal's progress in achieving these global goals, shedding light on the country's current status.
He highlighted that while Nepal’s achievement is significantly better than the global average, there are still too many stagnated indicators that Nepal needs to accelerate its progress.
The event continued with an engaging panel discussion. Participants discussed various topics, including the relevance and integration of SDGs into university education, barriers to meeting SDGs, and other pertinent issues.
The panel featured esteemed experts, including Ms. Kartika Yadav, Planning Officer from NPC, Ms. Purnima Gurung from UNICEF, Ms. Prativa Shrestha from UNESCO, and Ms. Jalasha Sapkota from Prayatna Nepal. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Alish Rajopadhyaya, Head of Department of Social Work at KMC.
The final part of the event featured a collaborative workshop in which attendees actively engaged in group work. This session involved students from all the colleges discussed and presented key challenges to achieve SDG goals and made commitments to drive their respective institutions to meaningful change.
Closing remarks was given by Dhurba Prasad Timalsina, Head of IQAC at KMC. He thanked all the dignitaries from United Nations and participants from different colleges and universities and remain hopeful that the students will implement the commitment they have shown to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
