By Team RW
Active citizens, community leaders, and those committed to building brighter urban futures will converge at the India Civic Summit 2024 on March 23rd at IAT, Queens Road, Bengaluru. Hosted by Citizen Matters and Oorvani Foundation in celebration of their respective 15th and 10th anniversaries, this one-day event promises inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and recognition for those driving impactful civic change in Bengaluru.
The India Civic Summit will feature dynamic sessions designed to foster discussion, experience-sharing, and explorations of the innovative solutions transforming our cities. Just a few of the visionary voices you’ll encounter include urbanist Ashwin Mahesh, civic evangelist V. Ravichandar, Bengaluru Navanirmana Party’s Srikanth Narasimhan, young climate activists like Disha Ravi, and many more dedicated individuals from organizations such as Save Chevella Banyans, Fridays for Future, and Whitefield Rising. Here’s what attendees can expect:
Stories of Change
Civic changemakers across India will share the transformative journeys of their initiatives, providing insights into the ups and downs of their work. “We’re committed to learning from all kinds of initiatives — those which led to positive change as well as those which didn’t make much of a difference,” explains Meera K, founder-trustee, Oorvani Foundation, and co-founder of Bengaluru-based Citizen Matters, an award-winning civic media platform focusing on critical urban issues, ideas and solutions for cities. “Civic volunteers understand that success is rarely 100%. There will always be new hurdles. Say, you volunteered in a lake initiative and it gets revived. In some time, somebody will break the fence and encroach on one side. Sewage will flow in. A corporate sponsor may stop funding. It is critical we move towards systemic change so we are not forever dealing with recurring problems!”
The Secret Sauce of Civic Change
Discussions will analyze diverse initiatives that have furthered the pursuit of sustainable, livable cities across India, with a special focus on Bengaluru. Best practices and success models will be highlighted.
Learning Sessions
Expect dedicated sessions covering effective community engagement, youth involvement in civic life in Bengaluru, and climate-conscious strategies for our cities’ futures.
Recognition of Impactful Civic Initiatives
The Summit will celebrate those making tangible differences in our communities.
Agenda Highlights
10 AM – The Summit kicks off with an inaugural address and keynote speech.
11 AM – Changemaker Talks & Interaction: Dive into the grassroots journeys and transformative power of local initiatives.
12 PM – Panel: Institutionalizing Change: This session tackles interconnected issues impacting our cities, seeking strategies for systemic change and sustainable progress.
2 PM – Best Practice Panel: Building Community Foundations: Focus shifts to robust community building and youth engagement for re-imagining cities.
Masterclass: Civic Issues, Climate Change & YOU! Delve into the links between everyday civic challenges and the climate crisis. Local climate champions will share their stories.
Focus Group: Civic Engagement: Combating Ennui & Exhaustion: Address burnout and challenges faced by those working tirelessly on civic issues. “Recognising the need for breaks and re-engagement, especially in today’s hectic world, is important,” admits Meera. “But we are seeing a shift in engagement, especially post pandemic. There could be multiple reasons: less time, fewer volunteers, a disconnect from the public sphere due to loud political discourse. We actually have a focus group discussion on this topic, and hope to find some insight and a way forward to tackle this issue most groups are facing.”
4 PM – Citizen Matters Showcase: Celebrating and recognizing high-impact projects that make a tangible difference in our communities.
List of Speakers at India Civic Summit
- Ashwin Mahesh, Urbanist
- Sharath Kumar G, Vyasai Thozhargal
- Sreekumar Krishnan, Save Navi Mumbai
- Preeti Sunderrajan, Citizens for Sankey
- Nithya Ramakrishnan, Whitefield Rising
- V Ravichandar, Civic Evangelist
- Asiya Khan, Save Chevella Banyans
- Raghavendra HS, Ward Committee Balaga
- Anjali Karol Mohan, Urban Planner
- Srikanth Narasimhan, Bengaluru Navanirmana Party
- Gowri Omanakuttan, Future Founders Co
- Benisha Maggie, Chennai Climate Action Group
- Harsh Snehanshu, Cubbon Reads
- Dhruv Nagaraj Koundinya, Friends of BMTC
- Disha Ravi, Fridays for Future
- P Manivannan, Govt of Karnataka
- Jai Warrier, Initiative for Climate Action
- Ajay Raghavan, Initiative for Climate Action
- Vikram Rai, Bangalore Apartment Federation
- Srinivas Alavilli, WRI India
Don’t Miss Out!
With just five days remaining, secure your spot at this catalyst for positive urban change in Bengaluru. Connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experts, and leave inspired to make a difference in your community by addressing the very real challenges involved.
Understanding the Importance of Empowerment
The event organisers emphasize that lasting change goes beyond individual actions: “Our cities have complex problems that require collective effort, and can’t be solved by one-person armies!” states Meera emphatically. However, the Summit will address how individuals can be empowered within this collective process:
* Creating a sense of community and shared vision
* Providing information and knowledge on causes and potential solutions
* Fostering a belief in the possibility of change through examples and experience sharing
Let’s Talk About Youth!
The Summit places strong emphasis on youth leadership. “Young people are already taking the lead in many ways, especially when it comes to the environment,” reveals Meera. “We have a panel led by young people actively involved in various initiatives. For example, Cubbon Reads is a great example of community building. Friends of BMTC is a very focused public transport support group that helps people start using BMTC buses, giving practical advice. We should amplify their voices and let them drive the discourse on how the city can shape for the better. They are the future of the city!”
Actions Beyond the Event
The Summit isn’t just about the one-day event. The founder stresses the importance of ongoing action: “India Civic Summit is a platform for civic-minded individuals to connect with others beyond their immediate circle, and learn from the various initiatives. We hope they will continue engaging beyond the event, and find ways to work collaboratively. We need more people getting involved and solving local problems!” The organizers themselves will play a role in documenting initiatives and spreading knowledge to inspire action across cities.
Sufficiently interested? Head to India Civic Summit and get registered.
Images courtesy: Citizen Matters
