COP 29 Summit (2024)
Arjun Rao (11K) and Greeshma Kolichelimi (10 E) represented our school at COP 29, hosted this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the prestigious Decarbonize Program. They had the honour of presenting the Global Child Manifesto, a document amplifying the climate demands of children worldwide. Greeshma was also accredited as a UNFCCC Global Lead Student, a remarkable recognition of her leadership in climate advocacy.
At the conference, they had the privilege of interacting with students from around the globe, each sharing unique stories, struggles, and hopes for the planet. Despite their differences, they discovered the universal bond of a shared mission to protect our home. It was a humbling and enriching experience filled with learning, laughter and camaraderie.
One of the most notable aspects of their participation was gaining access to the Blue Zone, a key area where government representatives, UN officials, and select organizations convene to negotiate and discuss climate policies. Here, Arjun and Greeshma contributed to panel discussions, sharing insights into our school’s climate initiatives and addressing questions about the demands outlined in the manifesto.
They also had the rare opportunity to meet global leaders and voice their concerns directly. Their involvement highlighted the critical importance of integrating children’s perspectives into global climate action and underscored the significant role youth can play in shaping a sustainable future.
