Srinagar, Oct 1: A five-day residential training of trainers programme on ‘engaging youth and adolescents in disaster risk reduction and climate change’ concluded at the University of Kashmir.
The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Social Work (DoSW) KU, National Service Scheme KU and National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The workshop was attended by 75 participants from different educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley, including NSS programme officers, NCC/NSS volunteers from colleges and representatives of various NGO/CSOs.
The training programme was spread over eight technical sessions which covered themes like hazard and vulnerability profile of the country, disaster impact on youth and adolescents, engaging youth in climate change and environment action, environment sustainability and human health, mental health, community involvement, community-based interventions, children’s perspectives on disasters and environment and role of community in preparing disaster management plans.
Moreover, the DoSW and NIDM had roped in resource persons of national repute to discuss these relevant themes through participatory activities. These included Prof Shakil Romshoo, Prof Irshad A Nawchoo, Dr Balu I, Mr Ranjan Kumar, Prof M S Bhat, Prof Bikram Singh, Dr Raja Muzafar Bhat, Dr Shaheen Ansari, Prof B A Ganaie, Mr Suhail Wani, Ms Bilqeesa Dar, Dr Musavir Ahmad, Mr Ashfaq Matto and faculty members from DoSW including Dr Shazia Manzoor, Dr Aadil Bashir, Dr Wakar Amin, Dr Sarafraz and Dr Javaid Rashid.
A field visit to ‘Nature University’ Pampore was also conducted on the fourth day which was facilitated by Advocate Nadeem Qadri and his team.
Dean Academic Affairs KU Farooq A Masoodi chaired the valedictory session, which was also attended by Director HRDC Prof Mushtaq A Darzi as special guest.
They emphasised the need to include and train young people, especially the student community in colleges and universities, in DRR and Climate Change.
Prof Masoodi assured the support of his office in “mainstreaming disaster consciousness” among stakeholders in the University. Prof Darzi informed the participants that the HRDC KU is already keen on conducting training programmes on disaster management and risk reduction for teachers across higher education institutions.
Earlier, the five-day programme was inaugurated by Prof Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir, along with Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST Awantipora, who also delivered the keynote address. Prof Irshad Nawchoo, Dean Research and Dr Nisar A Mir, Registrar, were special guests at the inaugural session.
