4th Transnational Project Meeting of Erasmus+ CBHE Project “Climate Change Policy and Law” Held in Pune

Pune, 12th September 2023: Symbiosis Law School, Pune (SLS Pune), a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), continues to shine as one of India’s premier law schools, consistently ranking among the top 10 in the country according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the sixth consecutive year.

SLS Pune is leading a European EU Erasmus+ KA2 Capacity Building Higher Education (CBHE) Project called “Curricula Development on Climate Change Policy and Law (CCP_Law).”

This initiative holds particular significance in the context of India’s presidency of G20, COP compliance, and the National Education Policy (NEP), among other factors.

As part of the project’s objectives, physical project meetings, networking sessions, and dissemination activities are conducted at partner institutions to develop Master of Law and Postgraduate Diploma Programs on Climate Change Policy and Law, which will be offered in a transnational mode. Previous project meetings took place in Girona, Spain, in June 2022 and Rajkot, India, in February 2023. The 4th Transnational Project Meeting is currently underway at Pune’s SIU and SLS Pune, from September 11th to 16th, 2023.

A total of 34 delegates from the consortium’s six partner countries are attending the meeting. These countries include Coventry University from the United Kingdom, University of Girona from Spain, European Knowledge Spot and Pedmede from Greece, University Utara Malaysia and International Islamic University from Malaysia, and Hue University and Hanoi Law University from Vietnam, along with Marwadi University from India. The project meeting encompasses various activities, including networking meetings with stakeholders, a Regional Round Table, Project Meetings, Workshops, Capacity Building, Training Programs, a Regional Seminar, and cultural visits.

The first day of the Project meeting, held on September 11, 2023, took place at Symbiosis Law School, Pune’s Viman Nagar Campus. This day included the inauguration of the Symbiosis Climate Change Law & Policy Centre [SCCLPC], a Regional Round Table on the Importance and Promotion of Climate Change Law and Policy Curriculum, a networking event, and a press meet. The event commenced with traditional welcomes and the lighting of lamps, followed by a campus tour showcasing various sustainability practices undertaken by SLS Pune.

Delegates were treated to a special Sadhya Lunch, a reflection of traditional Indian culture centered on sustainability. After lunch, the Regional Round Table discussed the significance and promotion of Climate Change Law and Policy Curriculum. Key speakers at the roundtable included Dr. Ajay Deshpande, Former Expert Member, NGT, Mr. Shwetal Shah, Climate Change Expert, Dr. T R Subramanya, Dean Faculty of Law, CMR University, Dr. Prakash Rao, Dy. Director, SIIB; Head SCCCS, SIU, Yogesh Brahmankar, Director, SCEI, SIU.

Topics covered ranged from climate change adaptation and mitigation to global and Asian legal dimensions related to climate change, policy and management case studies, challenges and solutions, and green entrepreneurship and initiatives. The regional roundtable attracted approximately 95 participants, including international delegates, representatives from NGOs, media, researchers, and students.

To facilitate interactions with the international delegation, a meeting was held with the top management of Symbiosis International University and a press meet, accompanied by a networking event at Vishwabhavan, SB Road. The press had the opportunity to engage with top management representatives, including Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Dr. Rajiv Yervadekar, Pro-Vost Symbiosis International (Deemed University), and Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Fulbright Scholar, Director, Symbiosis Law School-Pune, Dean- Faculty of Law, SIU, Jean Monnet Chair Professor (EUC- LAMP co-founded by EU).

The press meet also featured participants from partner institutions, including Dr. Rhishikesh Dave, Marwadi University, India, Vu Thi Lan Anh, Hanoi Law University, Vietnam, Haslinda Binti Mohd Anuar, University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia, Maizatun Binti Mustafa, International Islamic University, Malaysia, Matthew Alexander Blackett, Coventry University, United Kingdom, Alberto Ruda González, Universitat De Girona, Spain, Kostami, Konstantina Androniki European Knowledge Spot, Greece, and Kariofyllia Petridou, Pedmede, Greece.

Dr. Shashikala Gurpur extended a warm welcome to the top management, consortium partners, and the press, providing an overview of the climate change project. The press meet commenced with brief introductions of the delegation, followed by project managers from various universities presenting overviews of their respective work packages. Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar informed the press about the development of curricula on sustainability and climate change, emphasizing the promotion of sustainability principles. She also highlighted significant sustainable initiatives implemented at SIU’s campus.

During the networking event, the Symbiosis Climate Change Law & Policy Centre [SCCLPC] at SLS Pune was virtually inaugurated by Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, SIU. The center is dedicated to conducting clinical legal research and serves as a pedagogic lab for various engagements with academia, industry, and the community.