Dimapur, Aug. 12 (EMN): College of Arts and Technology at Nerhe Phezha in Kohima district and the St. Joseph University, Dimapur, observed the ‘International Youth Day’ on August 12 on the theme ‘Transforming food system: youth innovation for human and planetary health.”
Speaking at the programme, the academic dean of College of Arts, Aosenla Longchar, urged the students to have courage to change old ideas and practices towards good ends. The students were reminded that youth are the working force and change makers of the world.
Stating that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected human health, environment and food system, Longchar highlighted the benefits of eating local and organic food that are free of harmful chemicals. She also stressed on the importance of innovative ideas on home grown products thereby bringing about a balance to the well being of the planet.
The college also organised a skill exhibition and Independence Day slogan writing competition in commemoration of 75th years of India’s Independence, stated an update from the college. It informed that Lovikali Kiho of BA 5th semester and Peteneinuo Mere of BA 3rd semester won the 1st and 2nd position in the skill exhibition competition, while Kikrusielie Kense of BA 3rd semester and Sedekholie Chadi of BA 5th semester won the 1st and 2nd position in the slogan writing competition respectively.
In a similar programme, the Social Work department of St. Joseph University, Dimapur, organised an international webinar on “Transforming food systems: Youth innovation for human and planetary health.”
An update from the university informed that the programme was organised by a Ph.D scholars of Social Work department, while Margret Tendai Mwale, quality assurance manager and head of Social Work department of St. John the Baptist University, Malawi, was the guest speaker.
The guest speaker, while speaking on the theme, highlighted how pandemics affect the food system and environment and stressed on the issues of food production and distribution such as wages and working conditions. She elaborated on the means of production, which would help to transform the food system.
She also spoke about the challenges in transforming the food system and measures for intervention through education and advocate for people, services, working conditions, environment, and quality food. She further appealed to all the participants to be innovative in order to bring about transformation in the food system.