From Climate Ideas to Local Action: OCOY 4.0 Concludes with Youth Statement for a Resilient Odisha
Bhubaneswar:The fourth edition of the Odisha Conference of Youth (OCOY 4.0) concluded today at XIM University, marking the culmination of three days of learning, field engagement, innovation and dialogue, with young delegates presenting a Youth Statement outlining their aspirations and recommendations for climate action in Odisha.
The three-day conference, organised under the Youth4Water Plus campaign in collaboration with UNICEF Odisha, the Government of Odisha, NEXUS select malls and more than 50 partner organisations, centred on the theme “Building Next Generation Climate Leaders.”
Addressing the valedictory session, Sulochana Das, Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, called for youth-led climate ideas to translate into action at the community level. “Climate action cannot remain confined to conference halls—it must translate into action in our wards, villages and communities. The energy and ideas demonstrated by Odisha’s youth at OCOY 4.0 give us hope for a water-secure and climate-resilient Odisha. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is committed to working with young people to turn their ideas into meaningful local action.”
Prasanta Kumar Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, encouraged the delegates by saying,
“You arrived here from thirty districts as individuals. You leave here, I hope, as a network — one that will call each other when a plantation drive needs volunteers, when a village needs a water audit, when a policy consultation needs a youth voice at the table.”
On the concluding day delegates participated in an Eco-Tank session, pitching green enterprise ideas to founders and investors, explored digital storytelling for climate advocacy, and took part in a Tribunal for Environmental Justice, arguing a simulated environmental case.
Indian actress and advocate of social issues, Anu Choudhury, spoke about the power of small and consistent actions in responding to climate change. HarshaBharda – General Manager (Head) -ESG and CSR, Nexus Select Malls, also addressed the delegates.
A key outcome of the conference was the Youth Statement, jointly developed by the delegates and presented in both English and Odia. The statement brings together the aspirations and recommendations of young people on climate action and reflects their experiences and learning throughout the three-day conference.
OCOY 4.0 concludes with a strong message from Odisha’s young people: climate action must move from ideas to communities, and young people must be at the centre of that journey.
