The Modern School, ECNCR got the previlege to attend Protect Our Planet (POP) International Conference and POP Festival, 2024 on 3rd February, 2024 at Indian Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. This conference aimed at protecting the Earth's natural resources, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable living.

Several sessions were conducted throughout the day which included workshops and presentations by the guest speakers. Guest speakers included  Ms. Mama Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, Her Excellency Josi Ramos-Horta, His Excellency Judge Mohammad Abdelsalam, Her Excellency Rosalia Arteaga. Mr. Rajiv K. Shrivastava, Dr. Ash Pachauri and many more elaborately discussed climate change and how youth led initiatives can effectively counter it.

Nobel Laureate, Mr. Kailash Satyarthi highlighted the important role of compassion whilst elucidating a 4 point action plan to combat climate change. Ms. Mama Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, Peace mediator and community mobilizer from Kenya, stressed on the need to make climate action intrinsic to our lifestyles and take pledge to save the environment.  His Excellency Judge Mohammad Abdelsalam, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Elders, talked about the importance of human fraternity in resolving pressing global issues. He defined “human fraternity” as an overarching concept which provides for peaceful and inclusive solutions to the problems. Mr. Markandey Rai emphasised the concept of Blue Economy and how it can ensure a sustainable future for the world.

An interactive session on tree-planting in the afternoon involved several presentations on tree planting programmes in Zambia, India, Finland, Mexico and many other countries.

Furthermore, the Negotiations and  the Nest making workshops offered invaluable insights and practical learning experience to the students. The Nest Man of India, Mr Rakesh Khatri, enthusiastically taught the students how to build bird nests to protect the colourful lightweight beings. Additionally, the vivid and poignant paintings on climate change and sustainability really motivated the students. The  traditional dances in the evening were really blissful and euphoric.

In a nutshell, the conference was an enriching and intellectually stimulating experience for the students which motivated them to engage with the global community to redouble our efforts for ensuring a sustainable future.