About 25 young people representing various chapters of the India Peace Centre and universities from across India gathered in Bhubaneswar to attend the Academy on Ecology during 25-29 March 2026.
Academy on Ecology, a training workshop under the first three foci, Environment, Ecology and Energy of the objectives of the India Peace Centre, contained three components: Academic Learning, Practical Exposure, and Sharing of Stories by the participants. The five-day intensive learning programme emphasised understanding the trends of climate change, the UN’s role in combating fossil fuel-based emissions, climate-induced migration, climate mitigation and adaptation, climate and gender, and building climate-resilient communities.
Academicians, community workers, environmentalists, and activists contributed through various input sessions and inspired the participants.
Dr Asir Ebenezer, Chairperson of the India Peace Centre, in his inaugural address, invited the participants to “prioritise ecological challenges for fostering a sustainable planet”.
Dr Rabindra Garada, Head of the Department of Sociology at Utkal University, Odisha, highlighted the cosmic aspect of enhancing life to make living together possible.
The participants also visited the Indian Institute of Water Management and gained insights into water sustainability and the dynamics related to conserving water as a vital resource.
At the end of the Academy, the participants proposed three-year plans as part of their committed engagement on climate justice and to accompany IPC’s climate objectives.
The Academy on Ecology was facilitated by the IPC Bhubaneswar Chapter under the leadership of Ms Ompriya Rath, member of the Board of Trustees of IPC.
Mr Angelious Michael, Director of the India Peace Centre, led most of the technical sessions and, in his concluding speech, praised the participants for their engaging participation. He said, “Our responsibility to sustain the ecology is not for the ecology alone, but together with it.”