St. Edmund’s College, Shillong Empowers Gen Z for Climate Action

Shillong, October 23, 2025 – St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, in collaboration with the North East Commission for Ecology, Environment, and Climate Change, successfully hosted a workshop titled “Towards COP30: Ecological Responsibilities for Gen Z” at the College Auditorium. The event brought together around 500 students from twelve leading schools, along with educators and community leaders, to inspire and equip Generation Z to take the lead in climate action.

His Grace Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh, the Chief Guest, addressed the gathering with a powerful message on the newly formed North East Commission for Ecology and the pressing ecological challenges confronting the region. Highlighting issues such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the severe impacts of climate change on indigenous communities, he underscored the urgent need for collective regional responsibility in protecting the environment.

Renowned teenage environmental activist Ridhima Pandey, known globally as the voice of future generations in the documentary “The Letter: A Message for Our Earth,” served as the keynote presenter. She urged her peers to raise their voices against environmental neglect and to act courageously for systemic change. Drawing from her international advocacy experience, Pandey encouraged participants to transform their environmental awareness into tangible actions for climate justice.

In his welcome address, Br. Sunil Britto CFC, Principal of St. Edmund’s College and Secretary of the North East Commission for Ecology, emphasised the importance of mobilising youth awareness and engagement ahead of COP30. He called for the integration of ecological ethics into educational curricula and community programmes, reminding the audience that “climate justice begins with education and everyday choices.”

The workshop concluded with an emotionally charged participatory session, where students from the attending schools took turns to express personal pledges for environmental conservation. Many vowed to reduce plastic use, plant native trees, and promote sustainable habits within their families and schools.

Their pledges, delivered with visible emotion and met with applause from peers and teachers alike, captured the spirit of youthful commitment. One student’s heartfelt declaration stood out: “I pledge to speak up for the forests of Meghalaya, so that future generations can see the beauty I see today.”

Organised by the Laudato Si’ Society of St. Edmund’s College, the workshop not only reinforced the values of ecological responsibility and climate justice but also inspired participants to carry their pledges beyond the event. As the session ended, the atmosphere in the auditorium reflected a shared determination among young attendees to act as responsible stewards of the planet.

With voices united and pledges made, “Towards COP30” became more than a workshop — it emerged as a movement of young climate leaders committed to shaping a sustainable future for the North East and beyond.

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