INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SUMMIT OF RELIGIONS-2020

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SUMMIT OF RELIGIONS-2020

It was a great initiative by the John Paul II Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue, Rome and United Religions Initiative, South India-sri Lanka Region to jointly organise the first Students Summit of Religions on Climate Justice. St. John’s School, Anchal and Karickam International Public school were the venues on January 10th and 11th respectively. Program on the third day was at Kanyakumari. His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Cathilcos inaugurated the three-day conference. Kehkashan Basu, Canada was the key-note speaker. She is President of the “Green Hope Foundation and winner of 2016nInternational Children’s Peace Prize. Her speech on the threats of our planet was scintillating. Mr. John Samuel, President of Civic Asia Forum and General convener of Asia democracy network present the theme in his natural and elegant style. Around two thousand students and staff members from different countries, schools and colleges attended the event. Fr. Bovas Mathew and Abraham Karickam were the coordinators. Fr. Roby Kannanchira, M. Balagopal, K. M. Mathew, Susan Koshy, K. O. Rajukutty, Dr. Mohan Lal, Dr. Devi Raj, P. K. Ramachandran, Susamma Mathew, Nadia Taha, Ayraman Arun, Joseph Kevin, Prof. John Kurakkar,  Former Global council Trustee ,Adv. Sajan Koshy, Rajan Cosmic, Sanopop Sajan Koshy etc. addressed the delegates during different sessions.

The sessions on Malamel rock Temple and Knayakumari were the highlights with recital of folk songs, poetry writing and so on. Meticulous and eco- friendly planning of the staff and students of St. John’s deserve special mention. KIPS community and Kollam LISS faculty and students also played key roles in making such a mega event a great success, in addition to the tireless efforts of URI staff members and office bearers.All the delegates from different countries and educational institutions took a pledge for the protection of the environment and devised various designs for future planning and action. “One Billion Youth for Peace” and “Green Hope Foundation” have agreed to be partners for implementation of common strategic plans.

Prof. John Kurakar