Skip to content Skip to navigation

Smily Academy XP Concludes with Emphasis on Indigenous Solutions for Climate Challenges

By AT News |

Panbaree Machans, Kaziranga: The inaugural Smily Academy XP drew to a successful close yesterday, marking the departure of participants from four continents to their respective countries. The five-day event, held amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Panbaree Machans, Kaziranga, focused on immersive learning experiences with indigenous communities to develop innovative solutions to local and global challenges, aiming to inspire a new generation of "eco-preneurs".

Conceived as a special project of the Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum, founded by esteemed figures such as climate activist Rituraj Phukan and Padma Shree Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, Smily Academy garnered attention for its unique approach to environmental stewardship and community empowerment. Co-founded by Prof. Claudia Laricchia, Matteo Salerno, and Munmuni Payeng, Smily Academy stands for 'Sustainable Mindset and Inner Level for Youth', reflecting its mission to cultivate sustainable entrepreneurship among urban youth.

Participants and speakers at the event included a diverse array of individuals ranging from Senator Roberto Rampi to former Kaziranga Director Jatindra Sarma, all contributing their expertise to the endeavor. The event featured workshops, discussions, and project work, alongside cultural experiences such as yoga sessions, traditional food tasting, and the celebration of the festival of colors, Holi.

Addressing the significance of indigenous knowledge in combating climate change, Rituraj Phukan stated, "Indigenous people protect 80% of the remaining biodiversity on Earth. Smily Academy aims to reconnect urban youth with nature and inspire them to prioritize planet-friendly, sustainable models of entrepreneurship."

The event also marked the announcement of a three-year partnership between NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health and the Smily Academy, focusing on One Health and the indigenous factor. Professor Sumantra Ray of NNEdPro expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential for knowledge transfer and innovation in addressing global health and environmental challenges.

With support from 30 partners, including GammaDonna, Sumus Italia, and Youth 4 Climate, Smily Academy is poised to make a significant impact in fostering regenerative entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship worldwide. Partnerships such as those with the G7 Engagement Group on Gender Equality, Women 7, underscore Smily Academy's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

As participants depart with newfound insights and inspiration, the legacy of the first Smily Academy XP continues to resonate, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and initiatives aimed at shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Good news for 6 communities

6 Aug 2015 - 6:51pm | AT News
Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbanshi, Moran, Mutocks  along with two others are likely to get ST status.The good news for the six communities has come from the Centre when the six ethnic community leaders...

All out against enchephilitis

23 Jul 2015 - 12:58pm | AT News
Jorhat district is going all out against malaria and enchephilitis after 13 people lost their lives. Official sources claimed to have distributed over 30,000 medicated mosquito nets among the people...

AYO backs Bodoland demand

27 Sep 2015 - 8:56pm | Hantigiri Narzary
The All Bodo Students Union ( ABSU) and Arunachal Youth Organisation ( AYO) will work jointly for peaceful co-existence in the north eastern region.  Both the organization held interactive...

AAGSU conference concludes

22 Jan 2017 - 8:20pm | AT News
The All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU) demanded early creation of Satellite Autonomous Council(SAC) to gain socio-economic development of Gorkha community in the state. The 9th binniel...

Other Contents by Author

Golok Samman 2023 Announced: Four Young Honourees Recognized

The prestigious Golok Samman for 2023 has been announced, honoring four distinguished young individuals for their exceptional contributions in the fields of art, translation, research, and environmental activism. The award, instituted by the UD Foundation in memory of the noted translator and social worker Golok Chandra Datta, celebrates those who have made significant cultural and social impacts in Assam. This year’s recipients are Dr. Sanjeev Bora, a renowned artist; Avantika Parashar, a noted translator; Rajesh Dattabaruah, an environmental activist; and Dr. Baburam Saikia, a Sattriya dancer and researcher. Recognizing Talent in Art and Visual Media Dr. Sanjeev Bora has been...

Assam Times Seeks Passionate English to Assamese Translators!

Join Our Dedicated Volunteer Team! Assam Times, a volunteer-run news platform established in 2007, is seeking talented individuals to join our team as English to Assamese volunteer translators. Are you: A native Assamese speaker with excellent fluency in written English? Passionate about accurate and culturally sensitive translations? Committed to delivering high-quality content for our readers? If so, we want to hear from you! Responsibilities: Translate a variety of news articles and content from English to Assamese, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Maintain a consistent and high-quality writing style for Assam Times. Meet deadlines and communicate...

Aaranyak Launches Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Education Program in Arunachal Pradesh

Guwahati, September 18: Aaranyak, in partnership with the Namdapha Tiger Reserve Authority and supported by the Arcus Foundation, has initiated a groundbreaking Hoolock gibbon conservation education program in the fringe areas of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative, which commenced on August 22, is the first of its kind in the state and aims to create a community of young conservationists who can actively contribute to the protection of this endangered primate. The program has reached 17 schools in the Miao subdivision, covering students from upper primary to higher secondary levels. The sessions, conducted by the Primate Research and...

The Unhealthy Truth: Ultra-Processed Foods and Heart Health

Diets rich in ultra-processed foods have long been associated with a myriad of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even premature death. However, the vast category of ultra-processed foods encompasses a wide range of products, from seemingly benign options like whole-grain bread and plant-based milk to more obvious culprits like hot dogs and sugary sodas. A recent groundbreaking study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shed new light on the specific types of ultra-processed foods that pose the greatest risk to heart health. This comprehensive study, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, analyzed data...

Kaziranga's Future at Stake: The Clash Between Tourism and Conservation

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros and diverse ecosystems, is at a critical crossroads. Known for its rich biodiversity and the harmonious coexistence of local communities with nature, Kaziranga's landscape and social fabric are under threat. The Assam government's push to boost tourism by transferring land adjacent to the park to private hospitality industries has sparked significant controversy, raising concerns over the rights of indigenous communities and the ecological future of the region. The Push for Luxury Tourism Today marks a significant step in the Assam government's tourism agenda, with the signing of another...

From Ash to Apples: Diet, the New Smoking

The mid-20th century in America was a time when smoking was as normal and ubiquitous as eating. Picture this: in 1956, the average American smoked about 4,000 cigarettes a year. That’s a half-pack a day, for everyone—men, women, and even some children were all puffing away, encouraged by a relentless media, celebrities, and even health professionals. Fast forward to 2019, and while smoking rates have plummeted, a new health crisis has taken its place—our diet. Today, the leading cause of death and disability in the United States is not smoking; it's what we eat. The Global Burden of Disease Study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, identifies poor diet as the #1 cause of...

Opposition Leaders File Police Complaint Against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Amid Rising Controversy Over Anti-Muslim Remarks

A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that he "will take sides" and "will not let Miya Muslims take over all of Assam," opposition leaders filed a police complaint on August 27 accusing him of promoting enmity between different religious and ethnic groups. The complaint was lodged at the Dispur police station by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhupen Borah and Assam Jatiya Parishad's Lurinjyoti Gogoi, representing the United Opposition Forum, a coalition of groups opposed to the BJP and its allies. The complaint, supported by Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, and Congress...

Assam : Where indigenous confronts suspected nationals

During our school days, when the historic Assam agitation broke out, we used to go to Tihu town in western Assam for joining  various protest demonstrations against the outsiders (read non-Assamese Indians) and the movement was initially known as ‘Bohiragata Kheda Andolan’ (literary meaning agitation to deport outsiders) to create a prosperous Assam for the indigenous population. Later it was redefined as the agitation against illegal migrants (read Bangladeshi/East Pakistani nationals) by the intellectuals and media barons in Guwahati, the virtual capital of northeast India. Simultaneously an armed movement also surfaced with an initial trigger from the economic domination of Hindi...

Bhartiya Gorkha Parisangh Welcomes MHA’s Resolution on NRC Biometrics-Aadhaar Issue

The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), a prominent national social organization representing Gorkhas across India, has expressed its gratitude towards the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for issuing a notification that resolves the longstanding NRC Biometrics-Aadhaar linkage issue. This development is expected to bring relief to nearly 9.35 lakh individuals in Assam, including over one lakh Gorkhas who have been affected by the issue. Nanda Kirati Dewan, the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Assam State Committee, expressed appreciation for the MHA’s intervention. He noted that the BGP has been actively engaging with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)...

NSCN Issues Statement on Ethnic Conflict and Protection of Christians

Guwahati: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing Meitei-Kuki-Zo ethnic conflict, which began on May 3, 2023. Despite maintaining a stance of neutrality, the NSCN has been closely monitoring developments and is alarmed by the increasing violence, particularly against Christians. In a press statement released today, the NSCN highlighted a disturbing trend of harassment and physical assaults against Christians by the militant group Arambai Tengol. The NSCN identified the group's strong convictions and extreme principles as the driving forces behind its radical socio-political reforms. "The violent extremism followed by Arambai...