INDIA'S G20 PRESIDENCY

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 writing competitions, painting and debating competitions at various levels.

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.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.

It is important to highlight that India will be also holding first Youth 20 or Y20 Summit during its G20 presidency; focus on peace building, climate change and other pressing issues of the world economy. This first ever Y20 Summit to be held in India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, will also focus on themes of future of work; climate change and disaster risk reduction; peace building and reconciliation; and youth in democracy. The Y20 Summit is a youth-led event bringing together young leaders from across G20 countries to discuss and debate the G20 Leaders agenda. The Summit concludes with the drafting of the Y20 Communiqué. Various activities under a comprehensive action plan have already been undertaken to launch awareness among the society and mobilize the youth throughout the Jammu and Kashmir UT.

The Y20 India Summit would exemplify India's youth-centric efforts and provide an excellent opportunity to display its values and policy measures to the youth throughout the globe. One of the important Y20 events has been lined up for Srinagar Kashmir and will be taking place in the month of May in the University of Kashmir. Meanwhile the city administration has been on toes to decorate the city of Srinagar for the grand event.

G20 Presidency itself is a huge moment for India and school education department has been entrusted with the job to launch awareness among the society. The educational institutions have been organizing events, youth activities, cultural performances, and site excursions showcasing the sights and traditions of respective city-venues which shall continue throughout the year-long calendar.

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