Future Smiles Beneficiaries Attend Global Youth Summit 2015

Global Youth Summit 2015, an opportunity for young minds to come together from various parts of the India and discuss matters of  importance for the coming years. GYM 2015 aimed to empower youth with leadership and advocacy skills which will enable them to identify and address global health concerns like non communicable diseases (NCDs) in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. GYM 2015 was organized in technical partnership with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); World Heart Federation (WHF); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), American Cancer Society (ACS), NCD Child and Sustainable Development Solution Network .

The 3rd GYM was held in Visakhapatnam from  29th November to 2nd December 2015. GYM 2015 was organized by HRIDAY (Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth) in partnership with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Visakhapatnam-based Visakha HRIDAY-SHAN. Nearly 300 youth from over 34 countries and various states of India participated and discussed the changing youth health priorities in wake of the global sustainable development agenda.

Mumbai Smiles got this opportunity to participate in GYM 2015. As per the processes set by GYM Mumbai Smiles nominated  four potential students who were eligible for attending the international level event. As per the criteria proposed by GYM students were a perfect fit as the students could manage with English language, they had local level experience in serving the society, they were part of social activities at college & community level etc. After the interview and selection process students were trained by the Future Smiles team on a constant basis followed by an intensive discussion & session conducted by the Education and Development Unit Head Sarvoparita and EDI on the topic SDG’s. Students were given reference material and were asked to do the presentation in order to enable them to well prepare for the international conference.

It was like a dream coming true for the beneficiaries (Krishana Jha, Vinod, Vikas & Teena) who were accompanied by Sarvoparita, when we announced their selection. They were thrilled and were jumping out of joy when they got flight tickets in hand, as they never thought they would get a chance to fly.  With lot of enthusiasm and gladness their journey begun on the 28th.

GYM provided a great platform for all the youth from various countries and states to come together at a common level and discuss the issues pertaining to adolescent, youth and response to Sustainable Development Goals. The platform created a space for participants to exchange dialogues about social, health and economical issues and as a youth how they should respond to these realities. The conference aimed to transform youth by inculcating leadership and advocacy skills; thus encouraging them to become the change agents of global education and health advocates. GYM motivated and empowered youth to initiate and contribute to public health action in their individual countries.

This wonderful opportunity for the beneficiaries acted as a step for them into the real world. They got to interact with people from different sections of the society, understand the concerns that our nation faces on the whole and be a part of decision making to curb those concerns. Their joy knew no bounds and the exposure will act as a stepping stone for their overall development. One person who truly handled this and made it happen is Sarvoparita and her efforts were duly noted by the students. She managed the team on her own and realised its importance in their lives.

Point to be noted- Sarvoparita contacted the resource person, Mr.Tapos Roy from GYM and presented a case study on these students as there is a particular criteria of selection and why it’s important to involve them. Mr. Roy forwarded this request further which was then was approved by their managing committee; who were more than glad to provide this opportunity to them. You should also know that per person registration was Rs.25,000 but this was completely waived off from their end. Also, only two people from each country/state are allowed to participate in this event but they bore the cost of everything (registration, food, travel, stay) from their end for 5 of Mumbai Smiles members. Thank you GYM for that; you have truly made an impression on the students mind that will last a lifetime and act as an aiding growth in their overall development.