First Trivandrum Youth Conclave Held at TOST

Thiruvananthapuram- The Oxford School at Kallattumukku hosted the first edition of Trivandrum Youth Conclave (TYC) 2019, which is the premier youth conclave in South India. Dr. T P Srinivasan IFS (Rtd.) inaugurated the mega event which witnessed the vigorous participation of students from various schools and colleges. TYC 2019 simulates United Nations Organization (UNO) bodies such as UNEP, UNHRC and UNFCCC, a coveted debate floor titled Committee X and International Press Corps to capture all the happenings of the event through lens and pens.

In his address, Dr. T P Srinivasan stressed about the importance of the United Nations and gave insights on the role of India in the UN. A question answer session with him provided the delegates an opportunity to clear their doubts with respect to international polity. Gautam Lakshman Arun (Director General of TYC) welcomed the gathering. Speeches were made by Anne Francis (Vice Principal, The Oxford School) and Irfan Ibrahim (Secretary General of TYC), and the keynote address was by Prejish A P (Chairman of Nirbhaya Debating Society).

The delegates had two days of intense debate and deliberation in the Model UN format on a variety of issues ranging from climate change and renewable energy to combating the rising threat of islamophobia. The discussion was held under the umbrella of three committees namely the Environment Programme, Framework Committee on Climate Change, and the Human Rights Council. The delegates of the International Press Committee penned down the discussions in the form of reports which were later compiled into a newsletter. The Secretary General highlighted the vibrancy of the Youth Conclave citing that all participants come from many places, many fields of discipline and many social strata, sharing one common goal, a sustainable tomorrow.

The closing ceremony of the 2-day conclave was presided over by P Biju (Chairman, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board). The members of the Bring Back Green initiative made a presentation on sustainable development. Selected delegates from each committee competed for the finals of Persona Round, an on-stage round which assessed the personality of the delegates. The top delegates from each committee were awarded with cash prizes. Each Committee had passed a resolution on the agenda of discussions and a cultural programme added to the enthusiasm of the participants.