Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 1
Global Shapers Kohima Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum was officially launched today at a function held in the premises of Jubilee Memorial Centre, Kohima, becoming the first hub in the North East India. The Global Shapers Community is a global network of hubs based in the world’s major cities comprising of young people having the potential and drive to make a contribution to their communities.
“The World Economic Forum, fully aware of the need to provide a voice and opportunity to young Nagas, incorporated the Kohima Hub in the Global Shapers Community earlier this year,” said Limabenla Jamir, curator of the Kohima Hub, during the launch. She stated that the hub was initiated with the belief and vision that the Naga youth can play an important role in drawing attention and effectively contribute to emerging issues on the local and global scene, particularly in the empowerment of youth, unemployment, education and entrepreneurship.
“We are thrilled to lead India’s north east in starting the Global Shapers Hub, a platform at par with the worldwide community,” she said.
Policy analyst and executive director Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN), Amba Jamir, who officially launched the Kohima Hub underscored the need for today’s youth to synergize ideas and share visions to shape sustainability. Observing that the Naga society lacks specific visions today, he said, “We cannot talk about sustainability without having vision because without it, we are rudderless.” He put forward thought-provoking ideas to challenge young minds towards building leadership for a sustainable future. Jamir talked about identifying individual core principles-based visions and sharing them, the need to check whether they gel with the community’s goal and identify the commonalities and gaps so that a common vision may be shaped. “You need to talk about it, share it and feel confident to let people hold it against you if you falter,” he exhorted the young gathering.
Stating that Shapers are local actors who take local actions that would contribute not just to the local community but to global shaping, he urged upon the Kohima Hub Shapers to engage with local stakeholders and identify common threads and visions so as to work together for sustainable future.
Parliamentary secretary for Labour & Employment and Border Affairs, Mmhonlumo Kikon who was also a speaker at the programme lauded the initiation of the Global Shapers Kohima Hub and he expressed hope that the community of young and informed group of Shapers will inspire change in the society.
Lamenting that the Naga society has become a “society of indifference”, he pointed that people do not want to discuss issues that they are not comfortable with, and this, he feels, is where the society is failing. He emphasized that anyone aspiring to bring about positive changes will have to start from the grassroots level.
The young legislator cited that many young people who want to bring about changes to the existing systematic failures begin by criticizing others and fail to address the real issue in the process.
“If we share our learning, begin from the basics and collectively address issues, only then changes will come,” he said, conveying a candid message that people should not just criticize but share responsibility.
Kikon also shared his concerns in addressing issues related particularly with the health, education, power and employment sectors. He feels that the youth need to take more proactive role in the electioneering process as well. “If you are committed to bring changes, the bad practices can be overcome,” he stated.
Following the inaugural programme, a round table discussion and interactive session was held on the theme ‘Shaping Sustainability: Envisioning, Educating, Creating and Investing to a Future we want’.
Young people from diverse backgrounds including scholars, Church youth leaders, government employees, entrepreneurs and different professionals participated in the event.
Discussion was held on the thematic areas covering Rights, Political Inclusion, Accountability & Corruption; Environment, Natural Resources & Urban Development; and Education & Unemployment.
An outcome document will be created out of this discussion and will be submitted to the World Economic Forum at the upcoming Annual Curators’ Meeting which is scheduled to be held later this month in Geneva. The outcome will also be a basis on the future activities of the Global Shapers community Kohima Hub.
Currently, the Global Shapers Kohima Hub has five shapers- Limabenla Jamir, Lipoksungkum Imsong, Melekhoto Pucho, Neizhanuo Golmei, and Sapu Jamir and it was informed that nominations are on for new Shapers.
