EVENT 1 : INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON SUSTAINABILITY: ‘SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW’

Eligibility: Secondary School Students (Grades 9-12)

The event offers the students a platform to present Academic Research Papers in an International Seminar. These will be reviewed by a panel of experts and the selected papers will be published and recognised with an award. Each paper can be created by a maximum of three authors.

National Seminar on Sustainability with a focus on the UN SDG.

Main Theme: Solutions for tomorrow

Please find below some suggested ideas under different categories

Social:

• Sustainable development and indigenous people
• Building institutions for sustainable development
• Water, sanitation and health
• Civic Responsibility
• Resource appropriation
• Capacity development
• Role of intergovernmental bodies
• Green jobs and social inclusion
• Politics of boundaries: natural, public and private resources
• Wellbeing and quality of life
• Public knowledge: role of media and government
• Literature and sustainability: discourses on sustainability
• Cultural sustainability and sustainable heritage development
• Ecocriticism: The tool of language and literature for sustainable development

Economic:

• Equality, Equity and development
• Conflict, Security and development
• Reshaping economic geography
• Infrastructure and industrialisation
• Mobilizing the private sector
• Financing the SDGs
• Corporate responsibility and governance
• Green economy and green growth
• Reconfiguring the economic equation and contesting “financial growth” and “instant gratification”

Environmental:

• Development and climate change
• Food security and sustainable agriculture
• Biodiversity and conservation
• Energy provision and access
• Material use
• Urbanisation and sustainability of human settlement
• Measuring impact: environmental assessment
• Sustainable biotechnology
• Environmental data: modelling and communicating data
• Role of Maths in sustainable management practices

Call for papers:

Research papers are invited from  students, teachers, and academicians on the topics related to the above themes. It is proposed that the selected papers will be published in a special volume in the form of an edited book.

Authors of selected papers would be given an opportunity to present their papers during sessions on the day of the seminar.

Guidelines for abstract and full paper submission:

• Paper should be submitted to email id: annualsummit@hixs.org for review and selection
• The abstract should summarise the key points of the paper not more than 500 words and with a maximum of 5 keywords that define the subject matter
• Manuscripts submitted to national seminar should be original contributions and should not have been previously published and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
• Exam material should not be submitted or presented
• Individuals and multiple authors are welcome to contribute. Maximum authors not to exceed 3.
• Manuscripts must be written in English
• Word count of the report should be within 2000 – 2500 words.
• All contributions should follow the format and style described in the latest editions of APA/ MLA.
• All manuscripts should be typed in MS word format, 1.5 spaced, with 1 inch margins and using 12 point TNR font. (Exception of tables 10 point TNR)
• All tables should be appropriately named and numbered.
• Manuscripts should include the following major sections and sequence. The same will be considered for best paper awards:

1. Title
2. Affiliation of the author (School name, country)
3. Abstract (not more than 500 words)
4. Key words (3-5 words)
5. Main body – Introduction

• Literature Review
• Research Methodology
• Findings
• Inferences and application
• Limitations of research
• Conclusion
• References

EVENT 2: Eligibility: Grade 9 and above

• Students are required to sign up for the field of their choice.
• Students will engage with experts in small groups in the field of STEM, Languages, Visual and Performing Arts and Individual and Societies and begin the work of ideation of the product.
• Students will go into their groups as per their registration
• Student and teacher organizer will introduce the 2.5 day agenda
• Expert Talks, For eg- Expert interaction on how to prepare installation art on Day 1

STEM 

• STEM (Grades 8-10): Explore real-world sustainability issues like climate change, water pollution, or deforestation through interactive exhibits (e.g., water filtration challenge, pollution simulation game). Students analyse data, conduct experiments, and identify key problems (60 min).
• Design Lab (Grades 9-12): Focus on sustainable design principles like upcycling and resource efficiency. Students disassemble and redesign old electronics or clothing into something new (60 min).
• Math (All Grades): Students participate in a “Sustainability Scavenger Hunt” where they solve math problems (e.g., calculating ecological footprint) hidden around the school to unlock clues about a hidden environmental hero (scavenger hunt sheets distributed at the beginning, 60 min to complete).

LANGUAGES

Voices of Change: Slam Poetry Across Cultures

Voices of Change: Slam Poetry Across Cultures is a celebration of linguistic diversity. In this event, students from diverse linguistic backgrounds will come together to write and perform slam poetry in languages including English, Hindi, French, and Spanish, among others.

The central theme of the summit, the Sustainable Development Goals, serves as the guiding light for our poetic endeavors. Each poem will serve as a testament to the urgency of collective action in achieving these goals, bringing attention to critical issues affecting communities worldwide. Through creative expression, we seek to inspire, provoke thought, and ignite conversations that transcend linguistic boundaries.

By harnessing the power of poetry, ‘Voices of Change’ aims to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire action towards a more just and sustainable world.

Visual and Performing Arts

अंत इति नूतनारम्भः – End is the New Beginning

End is the New Beginning encapsulates the essence of sustainability by emphasizing the cyclical nature of endings and beginnings in the context of environmental stewardship. It is imperative to embrace sustainable practices for a harmonious coexistence with nature. Sustainability mandates the adoption of sustainable practices to foster a harmonious coexistence with nature, ensuring that our present actions do not jeopardize the capacity of future generations to fulfill their own requirements. During the three days, students will be engaged in making installations out of recycled material and found objects to create art for a purpose.

Music :

Title: Sustainable Soundscapes:

These three days students will be engaged in creative writing and composing music pieces/songs using sounds around them.

”Merge nature’s chorus with city beats,

Through recycled rhythms and eco-tunes,

Harmonize with Earth’s voice, in melodies green,

Together, let’s compose a symphony for a greener scene.”

Theatre:

Title: ”Sustainability in human-ness”

In the ever-evolving landscape of AI, VR, and technology, sustaining the human touch is paramount. While these innovations enhance efficiency and convenience, they can’t replace the depth of human connection. Whether through empathetic communication, meaningful interactions, or fostering genuine relationships, prioritizing the human element ensures technology serves humanity, rather than vice versa.

Individuals and Societies

Dastaan-e-Pani: Exploring the waterways of Past(s)

Water is the most ubiquitous substance found on earth. About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, of which only 3% is potable. Sixty-one per cent of the human body consists of water, making it the most essential resource for life.

Throughout history, the conservation and management of precious water resources has been a challenge for the survival of human societies, one that has manifested remarkable skills, building techniques and an understanding of the environment.

With the depletion of water resources, increased populations, global warming, and industrial overuse, it is often said that the next World War may be fought over water.

The History Department at HIXS views the problem from the perspective of linking the past(s) and the present(s) to create a more sustainable future(s) for all inhabitants of the planet with this essential component. It looks at changes and continuities in how humans have used Water to shape their lives through the ages.

This project of Parihaar takes young learners on a journey of discovering elements forgotten in our local communities around water and then becoming changemakers by making more informed choices. We hope that in doing so, they will become ambassadors of Agenda 2030 with particular reference to Culture and Heritage to bring forth its multilayered implications as a plan of action for ‘People’, ‘Planet’, and ‘Prosperity’ in the local communities.

Business and sustainability intersect at a critical juncture in today’s global landscape.  It encompasses environmental, social, and economic considerations. Businesses play a crucial role in driving sustainability initiatives because they have significant influence over resource consumption, production methods, and societal impacts. At its core, this synergy embodies the delicate balance between economic prosperity, environmental integrity, and social equity within the spatial context of our planet.

There are various aspects connecting the both. Examples could be Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Supply Chains, Innovation and Green Technologies, Environmental Stewardship, Regulatory Compliances and much more. In the contemporary era, the concept of sustainability has gained paramount importance, driven by pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. Businesses, recognizing their role as both contributors to and mitigators of these challenges, have increasingly embraced sustainability as a guiding principle in their operations.

Overall, sustainability is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic need for businesses seeking to thrive in the 21st century. By embracing sustainable practices and mindful spatial planning, businesses can not only thrive in a rapidly changing world but also contribute to the collective effort towards a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable future for all.

Connecting Psychological Well-Being And Sustainability

Students will work on creating the product, keeping the philosophy of experiential learning at the centre, adhering to the belief that doing is learning. We believe that it is now time for students to transform their words into action.
Sneak Peak- Theatre production, Slam poetry, Panel Discussions, Prototypes, Art Installations etc.

Culmination

The final day of the summit will allow students to showcase their work on stage and/or through a gallery walk. This will enable students to share their ideas with the larger community and to kick start a collaborative partnership going forward.

The students will also get to interact with Incubation Centres to get funding for their ideas and products.