Today we share some of our back catalogue in anticipation of a major sustainable development event that our team is participating in today. Our guest, Kehkashan Basu, is also part of the same event and panel.
Kehkashan Basu is an eco ambassador who has received awards from so, so many places. According to her LinkedIN profile she is a United Nations Human Rights Champion; the Founder-President, Green Hope Foundation; a Forbes 30 Under 30; the Council Lead, Toronto-St. Paul's CYC; one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women; and an Int'l Children's Peace Prize Winner - and this hasn't been updated since New Year when she was awarded two other notable titles including the "Nation-Building Youth Award" at the International Conference on Nation-Building in Thailand!
Imnah and Arjun spoke to Kehkashan in 2019 when she visited campus to lead a Climate Reality Project seminar. This interview was part of our class project which we have repurposed for today!
The Sustainable Living, Building Back Better conference which is taking place on January 13 (virtually) can be accessed here: https://www.unileverme.com/sustainable-living/green-recovery/.
Imnah:
Hello everybody I'm Imnah Verghese I'm here with Kehkashan Basu. Kehkashan is an eco warrior and a spokesperson and Ambassador for the environment in loads of different countries all around the world. And we're very privileged to have her here at Middlesex.
Arjun Radeesh:
So, Kehkashan, what did you appeal when you went to the UN regarding environments?
Kehkashan Basu:
So my main message at the UN was that it's really important that specifically children's voices are heard in the Sustainable Development Agenda, and children who are living in marginalised communities, and they're affected most by these environmental disasters or wars and conflicts. So actually leaving no one behind and making sure that everyone, especially the children, who are the citizens of today, and tomorrow achieved this life of dignity. My most pressing concern for this generation is that a lot of us are very apathetic and to move beyond that we need to start taking action and the main things that we don't have to just talk about it or shout slogans, we need to take action on the ground that is so critical for our generation.
Arjun Radeesh:
So quick question, tell me about your green Hope Foundation.
Kehkashan Basu:
So Green Hope is a social innovation enterprise that works to empower children and young people, but also all members of society in the sustainable development process. And the best part is that anyone can join Green Hope and become a part of it and its initiatives and start taking grassroots level action to bring about positive change.