New Delhi: Global non-profit AIESEC has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to launch Youth Speak Forum, an initiative aimed at fostering leadership and providing international opportunities for young people.
The event was held at the institute’s Dogra Hall on 7 April in association with the IIT’s Office of Academic Outreach and New Initiatives.
“The essence of YSF lies in its ability to convene young minds from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform for them to articulate their perspectives and ideas on pressing global issues that profoundly impact both them and their communities,” a readout by IIT Delhi said.
Under the overarching theme of “Educate, Empower, Equalise”, this year’s forum was dedicated to the exploration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) including quality education, gender equality, and industry, innovation, and infrastructure.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Vineet Gupta, Board of Advisory for AIESEC in Delhi IIT and founder of Ashoka University, who shared insights on leadership and the role of youth.
Joining him was Jitendra Das, director general of FORE Group, who spoke on organisational research and education. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi emphasised the importance of quality education for today’s youth. The heads of the event, Pranjali Joshi (vice president of finances and outgoing corporate exchanges) and Arhan Sayyed (vice president of business development & external relations) along with the organising core committee headed by Arush Ramachandaran, invited keynote speakers to speak to the audience.
Among the speakers were Himanshi Singh, educational influencer and founder of Let’s Learn, who talked about personal branding, communication skills, and resume building.
Guinness Book record holder and business coach Pushkar Raj Thakur delved into the intricacies of the stock market and trading, offering insights into financial literacy.
Furthermore, the forum provided a platform for industry leaders such as Kavita Dasan, vice president of talent management for Suzlon, to share awareness about sustainable energy and career opportunities at the company.
The forum also saw engaging sessions led by experts in various fields, including Shubhankar Mishra on journalism, Mitali Nikore on gender equality, and Nitin Joshi on content creation strategies.
A key aspect of the event was the discussion on gender equality, featuring panellists like fashion influencer Ishita Mangal, and project lead for UNICEF Yuva Shruti Kapoor. The discussion centred on professional growth opportunities for women and gender minorities across social, industrial, and creative landscapes.
The event was conducted in collaboration with Suzlon Energy Limited, the Indian multinational wind turbine manufacturer. Doms, as stationery partner, provided stationery kits for delegates.
Suez, as the official sustainability partner, showcased its commitment to environmental stewardship by providing innovative solutions for water and waste management. Graphic Pulse, the printing partner, contributed to the seamless execution of the event through their high-quality printing services.
The partnership with IIT Delhi underscored the institutional support for initiatives promoting youth empowerment and leadership development.
Additionally, certifications from organisations such as International Youth Council And UNICEF added to Youth Speak Forum’s recognition, enhancing its value proposition for participants and stakeholders.
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