Sangam: Bridging Knowledge and Amplifying South Asian Youth Voices for Climate Resilience

Abstract

This article explores the impact of "Sangam – The Festival of Confluence," a youth-centered initiative in South Asia that bridges local and scientific knowledge to tackle climate change and climate-induced resource based and intergroup conflicts. The study employs a case study approach to explore the festival’s outcomes, focusing on dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable actions. The evaluation framework assesses knowledge exchange, grassroots dissemination intentions, and policy and action engagement. Data was collected via a post-festival survey, analyzed for internal consistency using Cronbach’s Alpha for key constructs —(a) knowledge and perspective exchange; (b) intentions to disseminate; and (c) formulation of action plans and policy recommendations – and supplemented by descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Results show that the festival significantly enhanced participants' understanding of climate change and its associated conflicts. A majority expressed strong intent to disseminate the knowledge and perspectives gained, with 95% reporting motivation to share their insights. Furthermore, 90% of participants developed action plans and policy recommendations, indicating a high level of engagement. The correlation between knowledge and perspective exchange about climate induced conflicts, the perceived urgency of climate action, and understanding the importance of engagement in climate action highlights the festival’s role in fostering climate resilience and peacebuilding. This article emphasizes the potential of youth-led approaches to amplify voices from the Global South in promoting climate resilience, peacebuilding, and systemic change.