International Centre For Sustainable Development

Greetings from Champawat!

It gives me immense pleasure to invite you to celebrate with us Uttarakhand’s first ever Sustainable Development Festival, aimed at sensitisation and mobilisation of the youth and civil society and bring them closer to the Government to achieve a better today and an even greater and sustainable tomorrow.

The 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as adopted by the United Nations encompass every aspect of governance and development engagements of the District Administration. The District Administration, comprising of young and driven change makers has always been forward looking and encouraging of innovation and creativity to achieve complex development challenges. The International Centre For Sustainable Development is a collaboration with The Dais Foundation in the same direction with the Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Festival being the beacon of hope towards a better tomorrow.

The Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Festival offers wide opportunities of engagement between all the stakeholders with events having inter-sectoral, inter-generational and inter-district dialogue translating into outcomes for the state of Uttarakhand.

Champawat District is located on the border of India and Nepal with unique geographical aspects and provides some breathtaking views of the Himalayas while retaining it’s traditional identity and culture, but as many of you will know that these beautiful views come with daunting challenges the likes of which include providing water for drinking and irrigation purposes to areas far away from sources of water. Champawat provides exciting opportunities as well as challenges in its’ development landscape and we would like to welcome you to work with us, discuss your perspectives, try some famed Kumaoni Cuisine and reflect over delightful sips of Uttarakhand Chai from the beautiful tea gardens of Champawat.

Look forward to seeing you at the festival!

Dr. Ahmed Iqbal District Magistrate Champawat, Uttarakhand India

Letter by the President, International Centre For Sustainable Development

Dear Changemakers,

I write to you with excitement at the prospect of seeing you in the beautiful city of Champawat. What gives me even greater pleasure is the reassurance that we live in the world of inspiring individuals and organisations with some stupendous and awe-inspiring ideas to make our planet a better place to live not just for us but for the future inhabitants of this planet.

Uttarakhand is one of the most crucial geographical regions of the world playing host to the Himalayas and serving as the origin point of the holiest river of the country, Ganga. Uttarakhand has also seen immense devastation from natural disasters and social interventions in Uttarakhand are not only crucial for the lungs of our nation but more so for the 12 million Indians living in Devbhoomi. Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations cannot be achieved unless the real decision makers at the grassroots are made the stakeholders and empowered through knowledge and experience sharing while giving absolute primacy to the needs of the people of the land in harmony with the nature.

At the International Centre For Sustainable Development, we believe that the best time to act was twenty years back, but the second best time to act to is act now. We may have a Plan B in case Plan A doesn’t work, but we definitely don’t a Planet B. But not all is lost, I offer you hope from the deepest corner of my heart like the first rays of sun hit the top of Nanda Devi to usher in a bright day, so shall we, but only if we move together and stand with each other to usher in a new age of development with the future in sight. We owe it to our children, we owe it to ancestors, and we certainly owe it to each other

Let us celebrate the spirit of sustainable development and work on the Vision 2030 of the State and make our children proud.

See you at Champawat and hoping that it will only be the beginning.

Keshav Gupta President International Centre For Sustainable Development Champawat, Uttarakhand, India

About The Dais Foundation

The Dais Foundation is an initiative to empower individuals, organisations and anyone who can be provided a ‘dais’ to progress further in life. To this end, our team consisting of a young and motivated set of individuals from diverse backgrounds, has been working with Educational Institutions, Government Bodies, NGOs and International Organisations to augment capacity for better outcomes and an increased impact.

Over the last three years, we have become increasingly focused on achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and facilitating the role of youth for the same.

Our interventions have been focused on -

Community Awareness, Youth Empowerment and Action on Climate Change, Gender Equality, Quality Education

Capacity Building and Assistance for NGOs working on various SDGs

Engagement of Government Bodies to achieve SDGsA few of our previous projects include -

State and Local Government’s Role in Achieving SDGs

1State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDG Agenda as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. Many of the Government’s flagship programmes such as Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Skill India, and Digital India are at the core of the SDGs. State and local governments play a pivotal role in many of these programmes.

The role of local governments is equally important; 15 of the 17 SDGs directly relate to activities undertaken by local governments in the country. State governments are paying keen attention to visioning, planning, budgeting, and developing implementation and monitoring systems for the SDGs.

Sustainability, in a very literal sense refers to the ability to sustain, or the capacity to endure. Sustainable Development is a process of meeting human development goals while sustaining the ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depends. It is the organising principle for sustaining finite resources necessary to provide for the needs of future generations life on the planet.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. SDGs were born at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. The objective was to produce a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world. The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which started a global effort in 2000 to tackle the indignity of poverty. The MDGs established measurable, universally-agreed objectives for tackling extreme poverty and hunger, preventing deadly diseases, and expanding primary education to all children, among other development priorities.

The 17 SDGs build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another. The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations.

1 http://in.one.un.org/page/sustainable-development-goals/

The Global Goals for Sustainable Development

No Poverty

Zero Hunger

Good Health and Well-being

Quality Education

Gender Equality

Clean Water and Sanitation

Affordable and Clean Energy

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Reduced Inequality

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Responsible Consumption and Production

Climate Action

Life Below Water

Life on Land

Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Partnerships to achieve the Goal

International Centre For Sustainable Development, Champawat, India

International Centre For Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a joint initiative of The Dais Foundation and The District Administration, Champawat, Uttarakhand towards achievement of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

The vision of ICSD inspired from Hon’ble PM Modi Ji’s vision of Sankalp Se Sidhhi to address critical Global Goals for Sustainable Development in India by 2022 and to facilitate knowledge and capacity building of individuals, organisations and governments from across the world to enable them to make a collective, coordinated and sustainable impact to combat poverty, climate change, to achieve gender equality, good health and to promote quality education and access to clean water and sanitation.

The Centre’s objectives are the undermentioned -

✴To be a comprehensive Knowledge and Research Centre for understanding and documenting Global Best Practices on achievement on Sustainable Development Goals keeping in mind the diversity in the socio-economic and environmental contexts;

✴To facilitate Institutional Capacity Building for Government Bodies, Civil Society Organisations and Private Organisations to enable them to act towards achievement of the Global Goals;

✴To provide a platform for inter-sectoral, inter-governmental, inter-generational dialogue for knowledge sharing and collaborations for better coordination to avoid overlaps in interventions and to facilitate mutual augmentation of the available resources and increasing the efficacy of interventions;

✴To provide incubation support for ideas, initiatives, projects and ventures of organisations from across the world to achieve the Global Goals, including skill building, logistical, technical and financial support for Youth and Social Sector through an interphase with the Government Agencies and the Private Sector;

✴ To study and understand the development dynamics of the Himalayan Region due to it’s unique and fragile eco-system and geographical compulsions. To further build knowledge throughout the world through training stakeholders working on Sustainable Development in similar eco-systems; ✴ To access and maximise the impact of interventions by various stakeholders towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goals through facilitation coordination and symbiotic interaction between policy makers, donor agencies and implanting bodies.

Current Projects under International Centre For Sustainable Development -

Project

Assessing the Impact of Urbanisation in the Himalayas

Researching on the result of Highway Expansion and Pancheswar Dam Project on the Eco-system in Champawat

Capacity building in youth and social sector to improve Urban Waste Management in Champawat

Documenting and Preserving the indigenous herbs and medicines used in traditional knowledge by the community - Professors’ Visit with Allahabad University

Livelihood Generation - 10th Meeting with Banks - Himalayan Tourism - Revenue Sharing - Chaar Dham Yatra + Adventure Sports

Understanding various agro- climatic zones in the Himalayas and the sustainable best practices in organic farming in the region - Replication of best practices (Meet with Alaap Foundation)

Promoting Eco-Tourism in the region in line with the sustainable development goals. Awareness, Advocacy, Policy Formulation - Management of Tourism.

Promoting Renewable Energy and reducing carbon emissions in the economic activities in the Himalayas

Civil Society Support and Capacity Building for Youth and NGOs

Capacity Building workshops for strengthening youth and civil society action on SDGs

Awareness and Activism Workshops on SDGs for Schools and Colleges besides youth led events and interventions on SDG.

International SDG Conference for Youth and Civil Society to discuss and implement actions on SDGs in the Himalayas.

Partnerships

Fostering partnerships with various institutions and individuals for increased impact and outcomes on Sustainable Development Goals

Exploring and Documenting Best Practices for Rural and Urban Development in diverse geo-political systems

ICSD Fellowship 2018 for promoting action on SDGs in the Himalayas.

Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Festival 2018

Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Festival will be held at Champawat on the 23rd - 24th February 2018 and shall be the beginning of a movement for bringing together the people of Uttarakhand with the Government and the civil society for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The Festival shall see the following events-

UttarakhandSustainableDevelopmentGoalsVision2030Launch&UnveilingofUttarakhand SDGs Wall, Vision 2030 Website Launch

Uttarakhand Satat Vikas Sankalp - SDG Pledge (#UKforSDGs)

District Administrators’ Sustainability Summit Chaired by CEO Niti Aayog

SDG Task Force Announcement, Launch of Applications (in an App)

Uttarakhand Changemakers’ Awards 2018

SDG Townhall with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Kumaon, Garhwal Haat

Uttarakhand Satat Vikas Yatra

Online Activities

Online Case Study - Working Group of Professionals and Youth with the District Administration - Pilot Projects - Tehri Garhwal & Champawat.

Short Film and Photography Competition for Sustainable Development Goals

Event Description

UK SDG Vision 2030 Launch by the Hon’ble Chief Minister with Unveiling of the Uttarakhand SDG Wall

Launch of the Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Goals Vision 2030 - A vision document and a website to coordinate interventions and efforts by all the stakeholders on achievement of SDGs in Uttarakhand.

Vision 2030 will also be painted on a Uttarakhand SDG Wall where volunteers can express their commitments by leaving their handprints in the colors of the SDGs

Uttarakhand Satat Vikas Sankalp (Social Media Movement) #UKforSDGs

Launch of a Social Media Campaign to promote the Vision 2030 Website with an online sign up option in the website (upon signing the Declaration of Commitment towards working on SDGs and dedicating atleast 10 Hours every month to working on any of the SDGs in Uttarakhand.

Our goal should be to reach a commitment of atleast 5 Million volunteers hours across Uttarakhand by 2nd October to honour Gandhi Ji’s philosophy of Shram Daan and Swachh Bharat Mission.

SDG Task Force Vision 2030.

Constitution of Uttarakhand Satat Vikas Sena under the CDOs of every district who will get an additional charge of tracking the achievement of SDGs. The CDO Office can also be the nodal point of coordination for anyone in the district who signs the Satat Vikas Sankalp.

Volunteers can visit the CDO Office and seek to fulfil their 10 hours of work every month. A Vision 2030 App can serve as a more accessible tool for regions with Internet pe*******on and on ground notifications and tele- sms and radio announcements for other regions.

SDG Task Force Announcement and Orientation/Consultation Meeting

A short orientation program on SDGs and the SDG Task Force’s functioning with the CDOs to be conducted under the leadership of Niti Aayog State Coordinator. Task Force Nodal Centre to be at Champawat for Kumaon and Tehri for Garhwal region.

Satat Vikas Yatra

The Yatra to begin immediately after the conclusion of the Champawat event with a 3 day visit to every district and a stay at every district to spread awareness, highlight the already existing efforts and follow up on the work of the Task Force.

SDG Townhall with the Hon’ble CM

A meeting of members of NGOs, Government Officials and Youth with the Hon’ble Chief Minister to understand all the stakeholders’ perspectives on achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The Townhall to be telecasted live with questions from twitter #sdgtownhallwithcm will also be addressed.

Champawat e- commence website launch at the Champawat Business Forum meeting with Kumaon and Garhwal Haat

A dedicated space to be provided to traders, artisans, farmers from across Uttarakhand to showcase and sell their products. Launch of the Champawat E-commerce Website. Applications can be coordinated with the District Administration of the concerned applicant.

UK Changemakers Awards.

Youth Awards to be given by the Hon’ble CM to young Changemakers working on SDGs in each district. Applications for the Award to be submitted to District Administration of the Applicants and coordinated through District Administration, Champawat for Kumaon and Tehri for Garhwal. Awards to be kept annually and coordinated through the SDG Task Force from next year onwards.

Online SDG Case Study Competition

A case study addressing the most complex issues related to SDGs faced by Districts across the State. The winners of the competition to get a cash award and an opportunity to implement their proposed solutions and interventions in Champawat and Tehri Districts under a pilot project.

Short Film and Photography Competition

An online competition themed on highlighting critical problems faced by the people related to the SDGs. Winning entries to get cash awards and their work credited and displayed at all the Districts and the Secretariat to generate awareness, specially in urban areas to mobilise funds and human resources for addressing the SDGs. The work will also be displayed on the SDG Vision 2030 Website along with options to volunteer or donate funds for the particular problem. We can in the longer-run have case studies uploaded with the photos and videos for increased visual impact on the issues.

Venue

The district of Champawat constituted in the year 1997 is situated between 29 degree 5 minutes and 29 degree 30 minutes in northern altitude and 79 degree 59 minutes and 80 degree 3 minutes at the center of eastern longitude. The Ram Ganga River acts as a border between Champawat and Pithoragarh in north while Jabgura and Pannar rivers in south and west act as a border between Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Almora districts simultaneously.

The long chain of mountain in southwestern region acts as a border between the district Champawat and Nainital district. It is important from the defence point of view as in the east Kali river acts the international border between Nepal and India.

How to Reach Champawat?

By Air: The nearest airport for Champawat is Naini Saini, Pithoragarh(80 kms). The nearest operational airport is at Pantnagar Udham Singh nagar. By Rail: Nearest rail head for Champawat is Tanakpur at a distance of 75 kms

By Road: Champawat is well connected by road. Nainital (233 kms), Haldwani(193 kms), Pithoragarh (75 kms) and Tanakpur (75 kms)

Contact Details

District Magistrate Champawat, Uttarakhand Ph - +91 7579106767 Email Id - [email protected]

Keshav Gupta President International Centre For Sustainable Development Champawat, Uttarakhand Ph - +91 9917897490 Email Id - [email protected]