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.

  • 14492 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

CDC of Nazira conducts inspection of Fair Price Shops

As part of the observance of Anna Sewa Din, Smt. Pratibha Meshram,  Co-district Commissioner, Nazira, and Sri Kalyan Jyoti Hazarika, Assistant Director (i/c), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, conducted an extensive inspection of various Fair Price Shops (FPS) under Nazira Co-district on Day 4 of the programme. The inspection was carried out in the presence of departmental officials with the objective of ensuring the proper and transparent distribution of food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). During the visit, the officials thoroughly verified the stock registers, distribution records, and other related documents maintained by the FPS...

Rongmei Community Celebrates 7th Cultural and Freshers’ Meet in Guwahati

The Rongmei community of Guwahati came together to celebrate its 7th Charuangc Khatni Zawthanh Kariumei 2025 (Cultural and Freshers’ Meet) under the theme “Reaffirming Identity, Shaping Futures” at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre Auditorium on Thursday. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Rongmei residents and freshers from across the city. The celebration was graced by Chief Guest  Chaitali Panmei, IRS (Retd.), former Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, North Eastern Region, and Guest of Honour Rev. T.P. Mordecai, Associate Secretary, EFI North East. Both dignitaries inspired the gathering with their reflections on the importance of cultural identity and...

9 Assam Workers Killed in Ennore Power Plant Mishap

A devastating accident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu claimed the lives of nine workers from Assam and nearby regions on Tuesday, after a steel arch collapsed. TANGEDCO Chairman Dr. J. Radhakrishnan confirmed that one worker was critically injured, while over 10 others sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai. BHEL officials have reached the site as rescue operations continue. Police said the exact cause of the collapse is under investigation. Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, six workers died and six others were injured when the roof of a private steel plant collapsed in the...

Assam-Meghalaya Taxi Standoff Strands Tourists

A standoff between taxi unions from Assam and Meghalaya has disrupted travel for hundreds of tourists at the Jorabat border near Guwahati. The confrontation began when the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) initiated a blockade, preventing Assam-registered taxis from entering Meghalaya. The AKMTTA cited concerns over the livelihoods of local drivers, alleging that the influx of Assam-based taxis was adversely affecting their business. In retaliation, Assam's Motor Parivan Sewakarmi Sanmilita Mancha organized a strike, halting vehicles from Meghalaya at key transit points, including Guwahati Railway Station, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, and the...

RGU Hosts National Conference on Sustainability

The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) successfully hosted a two-day national conference on September 15–16 titled “Resilient Futures: Indian Knowledge Systems for Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Action.” In a significant step towards promoting regional languages in higher education, the entire event was conducted in Assamese. The conference was inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp-lighting, where Chief Guest Dr. Hirak Ranjan Das, Innovation Manager, AICTE (NER), emphasized the relevance of indigenous knowledge in shaping sustainable futures. Coordinator Dr. Saswati Bordoloi noted that AICTE-VAANI seeks to revive Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) while giving voice to diverse...

Zigzak Technologies to Launch Lifestyle App with Safety Features

DIMAPUR, September 13: Zigzak Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a rising technology start-up founded by filmmaker and tech enthusiast Mr. Lorence Kachari, is preparing to launch its flagship lifestyle application, Zigzak, next week. The company has described the initiative as a step towards transforming digital convenience in Nagaland, the North East and beyond. The application is designed to function as an all-in-one service platform, bringing together facilities such as food delivery, grocery shopping, rides, medicines, parcel services and home services on a single interface. The development of the app has been undertaken by a team of fifteen engineers and developers based in Hyderabad, under...

Indigenous Groups Condemn Police Atrocities, Demand Justice and Constitutional Safeguards

Indigenous leaders of Assam have strongly condemned what they described as "barbaric atrocities" by Assam Police on members of the Koch-Rajbanshi community at Golokganj in Dhubri district on September 10. They demanded an impartial judicial inquiry and strict action against the culprits, urging the state to ensure that such incidents are not repeated when communities raise their democratic rights. At the same press conference, the leaders also expressed outrage over the detention of Bhanu Tatak — a young activist and legal advisor of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum — at Delhi’s international airport on September 7. Tatak, who had been invited to Dublin City University in Ireland for...

Anubhuti & Emon present healing tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Kolkata

Mumbai: The never-say-die soul of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika enjoyed yet another acme of glory when millions of people across the globe remembered him on his birth centenary on 8th September. From Assam and Kolkata to the capital Delhi, from India’s downtown Mumbai to Bengaluru, the Bard of Brahmaputra came alive with his songs and rhymes. On 8th September, renowned music therapist and performer Anubhuti Goswami, along with her husband and multi-instrumentalist Emon Goswami, presented a soulful tribute to the legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as part of the birth centenary celebrations in Kolkata. The duo performed at the Assam Bhawan, organized by the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association,...

Clashes Erupt in Churachandpur Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit

Clashes broke out in Churachandpur district on Thursday evening, barely two days before the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, throwing the administration into a state of heightened alert. The incident occurred near Peasonmun village, situated about five kilometres from the Churachandpur police station, when a group of unidentified persons allegedly attempted to damage decorations and arrangements being put up for the Prime Minister’s public engagement. Police personnel who rushed to the spot were confronted by the miscreants, following which a scuffle ensued. Reports indicate that several properties suffered damage during the course of the incident. While...

Lumding Honors Naga Woman T. Machapakla Ao, Founder of Assamese School; Plans Statue Installation Amid Assam Sahitya Sabha Criticism

A heartfelt felicitation ceremony was held in Lumding to honor Naga woman Mrs. T. Machapakla Ao, the visionary founder of the Assamese medium school in the town. The event, organized by the fortnightly publication Matir Manuh, celebrated her pivotal role in establishing the school in 1956—a milestone in Lumding’s educational history. Prominent speakers at the event included Rajkumar Baishya (Chief Editor, Matir Manuh), Deepak Mena (Executive President), Minati Sharma (Director Member), Prashant Hatimota (General Secretary), Sujata Sharma (Social Media Secretary), Anup Arandhara (Secretary, Mung-Dun-Chung Kham, Assam, NE India), Dr. T. Lima Jamir (President, Nagaland Indigenous People’s...