Activity 6
The “Cultivating Unity” panel at the POP Festival 2024 on February 3, delved into the transformative impact of tree plantation as a catalyst for addressing environmental challenges and fostering unity within communities, youth, and women. The call to action invited global leaders and young individuals to join hands in a collective effort to plant trees, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental responsibility and shared purpose.

Levy Nyirenda, POP Youth Representative from Zambia, shared insights into the POP Movement’s climate education and tree planting project in Zambia. With a national reach, the project emphasizes the “Leave No One Behind” approach, making programs accessible to all age groups. The initiative aims to engage forestry officers, expand awareness programs, leverage technology, and forge partnerships for sustainable impact.

Anandjit Goswami, Founder of Tohri Foundation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and outlined their diverse projects, including tree planting, self-help micro-enterprise mentoring,
reskilling, mental health initiatives, and cultural development. Collaborating with various
organizations, the foundation remains committed to building a sustainable and prosperous world.
Her Excellency Mama Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil, a Kenya Peace Mediator, passionately conveyed the vital connection between humanity and nature. Drawing attention to Kenya’s climate challenges, she urged everyone to embrace the responsibility of caring for nature, emphasizing the POP Movement’s slogan of “Leave No One Behind” in the pursuit of climate justice.
Rajiv K Shrivastava, Founder of Act Now, shared a teacher’s perspective on sustainability. Inspired by a tree planting moment with Late Dr. R.K Pachauri, he emphasized the significance of individual actions, encouraging everyone to plant trees and offset their carbon footprint. Shrivastava stressed that “sustainability is a mindset and a way of life, achievable through collaborative ef orts.”
In essence, the session underscored the power of collective action in fostering environmental stewardship, unity, and sustainable change by planting saplings towards the end of the session. The festival marked the distribution of 2000 seedlings distributed to all the attendees