Engaging with people is one of the UN's key priorities. And UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been doing just that, more recently through an online interaction on issues such as technology, youth unemployment and women's rights.



To drive UN India Connect into high gear, UNIC co-hosted a dynamic event with the US Consulate General in Mumbai, with Consul General Peter Haas and Anne Grimes, Public Affairs Officer and Director, American Center, Mumbai, actively participating in the initiative. UNIC partnered with youth activist Samyak Chakrabarty of the Electronic Youth Media Group to organize the event. About 200 dynamic young people between the ages of 18 and 35 won a seat to attend the event following a rigorous application and screening process.



The evening saw speakers from various domains like academia, sport, business, technology, politics, music, journalism, arts, literature and film taking part. The speakers included transgender activist Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, professional tennis player Leander Paes, film actor Asin Thottumkal, music composer Vishal Dadlani, politician Anurag Thakur, celebrity chef Rahul Akerkar and writer Suhel Seth among others. Lakshmi Tripathi spoke about equal rights for all, while politico Sanjay Nirupam insisted that it was important for youth to vote and to consider politics as a career. Asin spoke about the challenges of being a female actor in Bollywood. Rahul Akerkar enlightened all about his experience working in a restaurant in the US. Fashion designer and politician Shaina NC spoke about how the youth can come together to take up social issues and causes, whereas Rajeev Samant highlighted the importance of environment friendly business that gives employment in rural areas. Musicians Vishal Dadlani, Niladri Kumar and Taufique Qureshi spoke about following your heart if music is your passion. Both Nitin Paranjpe and Suhel Seth encouraged the youth to have a questioning and inquisitive attitude to life. Lastly, Leander Paes talking about the difficult times faced by him as a young tennis player was one of the most inspiring stories of the evening



UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman conveyed the UN message that young people should stand up for what they believed in and take part in global initiatives. She also informed the audience about the Rio+20 Summit on sustainable development coming up in June this year, on green economy, sustainable development and poverty eradication.

To no more about what is happening in India and Bhutan, please visit United Nations Information Centre for India & Bhutan. UNIC New Delhi serves as a focal point for news and information about the UN for audiences in India and Bhutan.