The inaugural roundtable of the Young People’s Action Group (YPAG) was held on 12 May in Shillong, marking the launch of Northeast’s first formally institutionalized platform for youth participation in climate and health policymaking. Convened by UNICEF India’s Field Office for Assam and Northeast States and the Centre for Policy, the roundtable brought together young people, practitioners, researchers, artists, and non-profit leaders alongside senior government and institutional representatives.
“Stakeholder discussions are essential, because solutions emerge when we engage with all stakeholders. Equally important is the inclusion of youth in decision-making, since the choices we make today will directly shape their future,” said Wailadmiki Shylla, Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, who opened the session.
“Participation is a cornerstone of Meghalaya’s Youth Policy it seeks to expand youth involvement in policymaking, create opportunities for young people to step into leadership, and empower them to shape their own future. The Young People’s Action Group, initiated by UNICEF India in partnership with the Government of Meghalaya, reflects this vision,” said Agatha K. Sangma, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and co-convenor of the YPAG roundtable.
Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya stated, “any policy that lacks the touch and feel of the community is meaningless. True policy cannot come from the heart unless it is shaped through work with people, no matter how small the effort. In Meghalaya, the most remarkable aspect is that every initiative – whether it reaches 10 people or 100-touches the community. That reflection of lived experience makes policy serene, pure, and forward-looking”.