With climate change emerging as one of the defining challenges of our time, Bengaluru today witnessed the inauguration of the International Geoscience Youth Movement (I-GYM) 2026, a five-day global programme that brings together young minds, leading earth scientists and educators to reimagine how the next generation understands and responds to environmental challenges.
Organised by Prayoga Institute of Education Research in association with the International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) and supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, the programme has attracted over 20 student delegates from students from France,Nepal,Srilanka,Blarus and across India .
The initiative aims to equip young people with scientific knowledge, leadership skills and hands-on learning experiences to become informed advocates for sustainability and environmental stewardship.The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Jagvir Singh, Scientist-G and Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Prof. Nir Orion, Chair, IGEO, Dr. R. Shankar, Advisor, IGEO, along with scientists, educators and researchers from India and abroad. A very informative panel discussion was held on ``Science meets stewardships: building, Academia-Industry Partnerships for Sustainability.’’
Over the next five days, participants will engage in laboratory investigations, geological field visits, interactive workshops, collaborative projects and mentorship sessions designed to help them understand earth's interconnected systems and develop practical approaches to addressing environmental challenges. The programme combines scientific inquiry with leadership development, encouraging students to think critically, work across cultures and translate knowledge into meaningful community action.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Nir Orion emphasised the need for the earth science education from the school level and a masterplan be developed as a part of the curriculum. Dr. Jagvir Singh, Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India said, "Extreme weather events such as cloudbursts, intense rainfall and lightning continue to pose major scientific challenges because they evolve rapidly and often within a very short span.
All this, even as advanced high-performance computing, high-resolution weather models and observational technologies have significantly enhanced our forecasting capabilities. This underscores the need for continuous research, stronger collaboration among scientific institutions, universities, industry, international partners and sustained investment in Earth system science.
Equally important is educating our young minds not just to through textbooks, but through experiential learning so they understand the complexities of our planet and are empowered to become informed global citizens who can contribute meaningfully to building a climate-resilient and sustainable future."
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Shankar said, "Our aim is to inspire young learners to become scientifically informed and environmentally responsible global citizens. By experiencing Earth science through exploration and hands-on learning, we hope participants will return home with fresh ideas to inspire future generations and contribute towards a more sustainable future."
A key highlight of this year's programme will be collaborative student projects where participants from different countries will work together to develop practical, locally relevant solutions addressing issues such as climate resilience, water conservation, sustainable land use and environmental awareness. The programme will conclude with project presentations that showcase innovative ideas rooted in scientific understanding and global collaboration.