14/11/2025
“Why is climate change an issue for us when we don’t even have basic resources like clean water in our community?” asked Arhan, a Class 8 student.
“This is exactly why it’s an issue, my friend,” replied Dr. Benno Boer, Chief of the UNESCO New Delhi Office.
Sustainable and equitable distribution of resources is not just a cause, it’s a basic human right. And rights are born from expression. There’s a special kind of fulfillment when children like Arhan speak up about their needs, their perspectives, and their place in creating a sustainable world especially in front of those who hold the power to make change.
But it wasn’t just Arhan. It was Riya, and every other student who was part of the UNESCO Climate Change Literacy Program held at Kirori Mal College. They presented their projects on assessing the sewage systems in their areas and understanding how these issues affect student literacy.
Through this experience, the students didn’t just learn about the urgent need for sustainability, they felt it. We saw a spark in their eyes as they walked through the college grounds: the wide open spaces, the science labs, and most importantly, the playground. Their innocent yet profound questions to the college students, professors, and professionals “Aap log poore din khel sakte ho?”, “Yahan admission kaise milta hai?”, “In labs mein kaun kaun se experiments hote hain?”, “Aap jaisa banne ke liye kya karna padega?” weren’t just questions. They were seeds of aspiration being planted right in front of us.
As they say, “There is no free will, you need to know in order to dream.”
For us, as fellows on our own leadership journeys, this field visit became a moment of both hope and humility. Seeing our own institution through the eyes of these students reminded us what access, exposure, and opportunity truly mean. The children didn’t just return with new knowledge,they carried back with them aspirations, courage, and small practices that can light up entire communities.