“We did not create the climate crisis, but we’re already starting to live with the consequences. Our previous generations failed us, will we be remembered as the generation that too let the fires burn, or will we do something about it?”
These reflections are from my experience at OCOY 2023, in August 2023 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. At the first edition of the Odisha Conference of Youth (OCOY 2023), I delivered a short address to open the conference, worked with young people for the three days, and shared my views at the closing of the conference. OCOY 2023 has been a pivotal movement, creating a yearly journey for young climate actors in Odisha to work together and accelerate their journeys of impact. It was a fun experience being a part of the working committee and making OCOY happen after months and months of work.
OCOY 2023 was made possible with support and partnerships of many organisations such as Youth4Water Plus, UNICEF, YFS, Sattvic Soul, IFI Foundation, state and national government representatives in India (G20, Y20, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Mission LiFE), and so many more partners.