19
Sep 2024
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Uncovering Urban Legacies: Stories of Bombay's Precincts - Mazagon
Coomaraswamy Hall, CSMVS, Mumbai - 400001
Avid Learning is presenting two programs in the Green Zone at COP28 in line with the conference’s cross-cutting themes of technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance. Driven by the fundamental belief in the transformative power of the arts and showcasing the individuals who drive this change, this special endeavor is the continued convergence of two of Avid Learning’s most acclaimed programming series: Sustainability Now and Uncovering Urban Legacies.
Panel Discussion
Climate Warriors and Their Pathways to Sustainable
Solutions
Avid Learning, the philanthropic arm of the Essar Group
presents a conversation with dedicated climate champions and
visionary entrepreneurs working for environmental solutions, including, Kaustubh
Padakannaya, Co-Founder, Pyse, Ashay Bhave, Social
Entrepreneur and Founder, Thaely, and Rewant Ruia, Director, Essar Group.
The speakers will discuss the role of education in climate change
mitigation, sustainable entrepreneurship, investment in green assets, the
increasingly important transition to Green Energy, Green Steel, and expected
future trends with the moderator Mairu Gupta, Founder & CEO,
Antkind.
Dance and Storytelling Performance
Koli Fishermen of Bombay: Guardians of Cultural Sustainability
Avid Learning, the philanthropic arm of the Essar
Group presents a vibrant musical, celebrating the Kolis, the indigenous
inhabitants of Bombay, and their profound connection with the sea. Set against
the picturesque backdrop of Mumbai's coastline, the unique performance pays a
heartfelt tribute to the rich Koli culture and heritage. It also highlights
their resilience in the face of the most urgent challenges like climate change,
industrialization, and overfishing, while demonstrating their commitment to
marine conservation. The production is led by Parag Tandel, Artist
and Visual Auto-Ethnographer of Koli Community, Yuki Ellias, Actor and Theatre & Film Producer,
and Tej Arun Chandiwale, Choreographer.
Rewant RuiaRewant has developed considerable knowledge and experience in the oil & gas, refining, metals & mining, and infrastructure sectors. His global exposure, fresh perspectives and arc of activities have contributed to Essar’s strategy and operations.Rewant has been focused on Essar’s expansion in overseas markets and has been involved in identifying and investing in new business opportunities for the group.He is focused on Essar’s greenfield expansion, acquisition opportunities in core economy sectors, as well as strategic operations across Essar’s investments. His understanding of global markets helps drive the strategy of Essar as well as complex financings and transactions. Rewant’s aspiration is to transition the organizational portfolio from assets built over the last fifty years to assets that are state-of-the-art and relevant for the next fifty years.
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Kaustubh PadakannayaKaustubh is an engineer turned entrepreneur, with 7+ years of experience building products in the social and environmental impact space. With experience in affordable med-tech, ed-tech and renewable energy, he is now building pyse to make individual climate action accessible, affordable and rewarding.
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Mairu GuptaMairu is a media & tech executive with 15 years of experience in scaling both corporate and early-stage companies across advertising, sports, music and blockchain. He is currently the Founder & CEO of Antkind - a digital communications collective for brands focused on climate action & sustainability. Most recently he led the Polygon-incubated Layer-E, where he launched Flipkart’s decentralised metaverse. Previously, Mairu led the digital business for Sony Music across South Asia and before that, Mairu was part of the NBA founding team in India and led their content and media distribution business through a 5 year stint. Earlier in his career, he spent 8 years in advertising agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Young & Rubicam, Jack in the Box, among others.
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Ashay Bhave is a social entrepreneur, designer, and artist of Indian origin. He has studied footwear design at FIT, New York, and entrepreneurship at Amity University, Dubai. His works have been showcased in the Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, and Tashkeel, Dubai to name a few. He's primarily known for founding the brand Thaely. Thaely is the world's first 100% recycled and vegan footwear company.
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Yuki ElliasYuki is a communications expert, executive coach, and consultant for business leaders across the globe. She leverages 20 years of experience as an actor and director, bringing tools from the stage and the creative processes to leaders - enabling them to engage their teams and clients with more creativity, courage and impact. As an instructional designer, she has developed a manual for leadership development solutions. This includes business storytelling, executive presence, and building stronger client relationships. Her trainings facilitate skills relevant to trust and negotiation, growth mindset and behaviours and support crucial conversations. Her clients span across industries and include banking, consulting, ITES, pharma, FMCG, law, auto, media and retail. Yuki is also a multi award winning actor and producer. She has toured the world with her shows and performed at leading venues and festivals. She was the pedagogical adviser and teacher at the Drama School Mumbai and is currently a member of the Board of Studies at Wilson College, Mumbai.
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Tej Arun ChandiwaleTej Chandiwale, Vice President of Kalakar Institution of Dance has represented India on several platforms all over the world for International festivals since the last two decades. He has been associated with the Bollywood film industry as a Choreographer and as Assistant choreographer to Mr.Devang Desai, Mr.Adil Shaikh, Miss. Shabina Khan, to Longines Fernandez and many such prominent choreographers in the field of Indian Cinema. Kalakar dance group has been associated with CIOFF (UNESCO) for representing folklore festivals in Europe in almost every consecutive year since 1985. It has also been associated with ICCR to perform dances of India for the Indian community in South Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius.
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Parag TandelParag is a visual auto-ethnographer who archives what he perceives around him and his relationship with the scenery he inhabits. His visual art and socially engaged art practices are raising issues of loss and identity. He is archiving prevailing circumstances and intervening in the oral narratives regarding the colonial and imperial history of the Fisherfolks of Mumbai. Tandel earned a Diploma in Creative Sculpture from M. S University, Baroda (2005) after completing a Diploma in sculpture and modeling from Sir J.J School of Art, Mumbai (2003). Tandel’s solo exhibitions include Chronicle at TARQ, Mumbai (2016) and Autopolisphilia curated by Noopur Desai at Sudarshan art gallery, Pune, India (2018) as well as Pregnant Room 1 and Pregnant Room 2, both showcased at Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai (2008 & 2010).
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COP(Conference of Parties)28
All States that are Parties to the Convention are
represented at the COP (Conference of Parties), and it forms the supreme
decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC). The COP meets annually and the first COP meeting was held in
Berlin, Germany in March 1995. COP28 UAE is the upcoming conference of the
Parties. This international event aims to bring together world leaders,
policymakers, activists, and experts from around the globe to discuss and
address pressing environmental challenges. At its core, COP28 aims to foster
collaboration and collective decision-making towards mitigating climate change
and creating a sustainable future for our planet. This monumental gathering
serves as a platform for sharing ideas, ideologies, and best practices in order
to shape policies that will drive meaningful change.
Green Zone and Blue Zone at COP28
The Green Zone and Blue Zone are both part of the COP28 UAE Presidency. The Green Zone is free and open to all-space while the Blue Zone is a UNFCCC-managed site, open to accredited parties and observer delegates. The sponsor and stakeholder hubs in the green zone include decarbonisation, technology and innovation, and knowledge hub. Throughout COP28 UAE, a myriad of thought-provoking events will spark inspiration and ignite discussions on environmental conservation. The Green Zone will host panel discussions featuring renowned experts to interactive workshops showcasing cutting-edge technologies, exhibitions, roundtables, and entertainment programmes along with community engagement centres called Youth Hub and Emirati Culture. Each event offers a unique opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals passionate about tackling climate issues head-on.
Koli Community
The Koli community has held a significant place in the cultural fabric of Bombay/Mumbai for many generations, showcasing a rich heritage that has shaped the city we know today. Mumbai is home to various communities, and among them, the Koli community stands out as one of the oldest and most prominent. The Son Koli are original inhabitants of the Bombay islands, the Raj Koli of Jawhar and the North Konkan, the Mahadev and Malhar of the Deccan and the Kharvas and Agares of Surat and Thane (Hegde Sandeep, 2015). Traditionally known for their expertise in fishing, they have played a vital role in sustaining Mumbai's coastal economy and preserving its maritime legacy. Their skills have been passed down through generations, fostering a deep connection between their community and the sea. However, like any other community, the Kolis face their share of challenges. Urbanization and rapid development present obstacles to their traditional way of life and create socio-economic disparities within their ranks. Despite these hurdles, they continue to preserve their cultural identity while embracing modernity.
COP28 and Sustainability
The upcoming COP28 conference holds great significance in addressing the pressing issue of sustainability amidst the escalating climate crisis. At a global level, it serves as a platform for nations to come together and discuss strategies, plans, and management approaches to mitigate the adverse effects of rising temperatures, dwindling biodiversity, and unsustainable agriculture and food systems. COP28 provides an opportunity for countries to showcase their commitment towards sustainability through concrete actions and targets. The themes of the events include World Climate Action Summit including business, youth, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and frontline communities, other themes include health, recovery, peace, finance trade, gender equality and accountability commitments, energy and industry, multilevel action, urbanization and built environment and transport, nature, land use, food, agriculture, and water. It is not only about raising awareness but also about mobilizing finance and resources to support sustainable initiatives worldwide. Effective management of resources, collaboration between nations, and innovative financing mechanisms will be key areas of focus during the conference. By emphasizing the importance of sustainability at COP28, we can pave the way for a more resilient future that balances economic growth with environmental preservation.
