NL CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Nov 24, 2022: SAI International Education Group, one of the leading education institutions of India, observed its 11th
International Youth Day Conference, with 6 countries, in collaboration with the Going Global & Interact Club of SAI International, on the
theme of “Right to Life Right to Choice” with overwhelming participation from Peru, South Africa, Zambia, Pakistan, Japan and India.
After 2 months of preparation & many hours of practice, the event finally paid off as the tight knit team with over 30 students in
the Organizing Committee ran a flawless programme.
The online event hosted 200 students & delegates from around 18 round square schools across the world. The participating schools involved
Markham College from Peru; Junior & Senior High School of Kogakuin University from Japan; St. Andrews School for Girls' from South Africa;
British Overseas School & Cadet College from Pakistan; Pathways World School, Delhi; Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls Public School, Jodhpur,
Rajasthan; Modern School, New Delhi; The Scindia School, Gwalior , Madhya Pradesh; PineGrove School, Solan; L K Singhania Education
Centre, Gotan, Rajasthan, SAI International School; SAI International Residential School from India.
The programme started with an Opening Session introducing the concept of International Youth Day which has become a staple
event of the school. This year was the 3rd year for the SAI International to host the online celebrations of International Day and indulge in
celebrating the energy of young minds & breaking more barriers to reach new heights.
The event was keynoted by Dynamic Feminist & Activist with passion for social & economic justice for women, Ireen Chikatula,
Founder, of Empowerment Initiative for Rural Women & Girls, Zambia who shed some light on the central theme surrounding
women's rights & their choices & gave her viewpoints on history of abortion rights, disintegrating patriarchy, gender-selective foeticide
& other social perceptions on abortion.
Hundreds of participants dispersed into 8 small breakout sessions called Barazas. Each Baraza mixed up students from each
participating country and was themed after a sub – Legality of Abortion, Abortion & the Men's Rights Movement, Social Perceptions on
Abortion & Pop Culture References to name a few. During the 1 hour, 30-minute Baraza, participants took a deep look into each of the
topics and challenge students to think about abortion issues and challenges faced by women today around the globe, in an effort, to
sensitize the youth about the valid barriers women are constricted to in their hope to choose their lives. Students debated, drew pieces of
art, prompted questions, games and did several engaging activities pertaining to the focal point of the theme this year.
Each Barraza was about grouping students into small teams and making them have discussions so that they come up with ideas
which all can be introduced into their societies and cultures to further promote the ideals of cultural diversity & internationalism. While
advocating about women rights, Keynote Speaker, Ireen Chikatula shared her sentiments from a mental health point. She addressed the
international delegation & participants by saying, “Mental health influences society, reflecting a paradigm shift in discussions around this
dilemma we discuss here today. This combined with the commitment of quality mental health care changes everything.” Furthermore, a
logo making campaign was spearheaded by the Going Global Club, on Instagram to foster awareness on Abortion & Women's Rights.
The Closing Session concluded with a presentation of all logos students made for the Make4Change campaign, which is a sub-
campaign within Youth Day this year in which, students have to make logos on topics like Teenagers and Abortion, Abortion in Africa
to name a few, to spark the important life skill to pack strong messages through ingenious artwork.
The most voted for logos were felicitated in the closing session, thereby acknowledging their
creativity & critical thinking through illustrations. Deliberations around Roe v. Wade, Legalization of Abortion
Rights & Men's Rights Movements, Portrayal of Abortion in Pop Culture were some of the prominent issues
elaborated on. Dr. Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International, speaking on the occasion said, “It is a matter of
great pride for SAI International to host international delegation & round square representatives from Peru,
Zambia, Pakistan, Japan, South Africa & India.
