The Group of Twenty or G20 is an organization of the world’s largest economies. It is the premier global forum for discussing economic issues, international trade and financial stability. It was formed in 1999 and comprises of 19 countries; US, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Britain, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Russia, and one regional organization namely the European Union. As a major world economic forum it has a strategic position because it collectively represents around 65% of the world's population, 79% of global trade and at least 85% of the world economy.

At the beginning of its formation, the G20 focused on efforts to reform the global financial system as one of the keys to responding to the global economic crisis. Over a period of time it has expanded its agenda and began to address major issues related to the global economy like sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change and international financial stability. The G20 Summit is held annually under the leadership of a rotating presidency. December 1, 2022 is a red-letter day as India assumed the G20 Presidency from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders Summit in 2023.

The Indian G20 Presidency's theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or One Earth, One Family, One Future' sets the tone for the 2023 Infrastructure Agenda under the Indian leadership. The G-20 Summit focuses on strengthening multilateral economic relations among developed and developing countries of the world. The focus area is to ensure the revival and recovery of the global economy, work towards ensuring financial stability and strengthening pathways for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. India will be hosting G-20 Summit in September 2023.

In order to launch a massive awareness campaign on India’s G20 Presidency, the school education department has decided to conduct various activities in all the schools to educate and sensitize the school going children and the teachers about the G20 and its significance under India’s presidency. A comprehensive action plan has been devised and developed by the NEP cell of Directorate of school education Kashmir under the supervision of DSEK to make it easier for the school heads, students and teachers. It includes dissemination of information through distribution of relevant study material, Quiz competitions, Essay writting competitions, painting and debating competitions at various levels.

The Quiz questions are designed to increase awareness about G-20 and its importance in promoting peace and harmony for progress and development. The main objectives of the quiz competition includes Creating awareness about the historical background of G-20 Summit, developing knowledge about the objectives of the Summit, Promoting understanding of its salient features and provisions and encouraging children to relate to different parameters of G-20. Another Quiz relates to Life Style for Environment (LiFE) Quiz. This Quiz, Life Style for Environment (LIFE) is one of the important activities.

Environment and its conservation is one of the current concerns of the world today. India is committed to protection of earth and sustainable development. Honorable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi stresses for ‘one word movement,’ LI.F.E (Life Style for Environment) as a mass movement of environmental conscious life style for a harmonious life. The quiz on Life Style for Environment (Li.F.E.) aims at enabling young learners in school to be conscious of the environment in which we live and the need to protect and sustain for our good and for our future generations to inherit to be passed on to generation after generations.

The main objectives of the quiz competition is to Create an awareness on the importance of protecting our environment and its need for human coexistence, Promoting understanding among citizens about the Millennium Development Goals and the sustainable development and their role in an environment friendly life. it also aims to learn about India’s initiative on environmental concerns globally and India’s role in the G20 for the protection of environment. it will enable citizens to critically reflect and act on the current environmental situation across the globe and to lead a life for sustainable development. Another notable activity is the Slogan Writing Competition on G20.

The Government of India is committed to strengthening ties with all major powers and the developing countries of the world, creating pathways and mutually beneficial shared opportunities for betterment of global order. The focus is to strengthen international financial institution with a thrust on stability, deliberate on climatic changes, restore harmonious link with environment preservation and conservation. The overarching effort is to sustain all activities that would facilitate in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). It will also tap the creativity in designing slogans for knowing and understanding of G-20. Its main objectives include to Create awareness among children about the background of the G-20 summit, developing knowledge among students about the importance of the summit, Promoting an understanding about the relevance of the focus areas, encouraging children to creatively express their ideas on G-20 in shaping a better global order.

Some guidelines have been circulated with regard to the slogan writing competition which includes that the slogan should be original and in simple language. It should be in the form of short sentences. It may be expressed in both English and Hindi. The slogan should bring the thrust areas of G-20.The construction of sentences needs to be grammatically correct and only one slogan may be prepared per child. All these activities have been strictly carried out in online mode and daily action taken report has been taken by the Director School education Kashmir from both government and private educational institutions across the valley.

G20 Presidency is a massive moment for India and school education department has been entrusted with the job to launch awareness among the society. Once the educational institutions re-open various other events, youth activities, cultural performances, and site excursions showcasing the sights and traditions of respective city-venues, are also planned throughout the year-long calendar.

(Author is a Freelance writer and columnist and can be reached at Rayeesrocks20@gmail.com)