Guwahati: An international virtual symposium titled “Youth Leadership-2026” was organized on Saturday under the aegis of the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) in collaboration with the Council for Teacher Education Foundation-Assam. Held on the theme “From Potential to Purpose: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders,” the programme witnessed the virtual participation of around 200 delegates from India and other countries through the Zoom platform.
Prof. Nilima Bhagabati, Executive Representative of CCEAM-Asia and the current Executive Head in India, welcomed the participants and highlighted the crucial role of youth in achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047.” She also spoke about the initiatives undertaken by CCEAM for leadership development among young people across Commonwealth countries.
The symposium was inaugurated by Prof. Hauwa Imam, President of CCEAM, who emphasized the significant contribution of youth in transforming developing nations into developed ones.
Among the keynote speakers, Dr. Venesser Fernandes delivered a detailed presentation on youth leadership in the context of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She underscored the importance of investing in youth leadership to harness the country’s demographic dividend and realize the vision of a developed India.
Dr. Heathcliff Schembri spoke on the theme “From Voice to Purpose: Youth Leadership in Times of Change,” encouraging young people to move beyond expressing opinions and engage in purposeful action and leadership.
Dr. Nihaal Mayur and Dr. Archana Bhattacharjee highlighted the immense potential of youth leadership and stressed the need for collaboration among young people, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and civil society institutions to address local challenges. Dr. Bhattacharjee also emphasized the importance of providing opportunities, mentorship, and constructive guidance to help young people realize their full potential.
The one-day virtual symposium saw active participation from teachers, educators, and youth delegates. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and the singing of the National Anthem.
