Pune: Symbiosis Hosts International Youth & Sustainability Festival 2026 (IYSF 4.0)
Pune, 23rd February 2026: Symbiosis International University (SIU), in association with ExploreiT Nextgen Solutions, successfully hosted the International Youth & Sustainability Festival 2026 (IYSF 4.0) at its Viman Nagar Campus, Pune. Symbiosis Law School, Pune (SLS) and Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management (SCWRM) partnered as academic collaborators for the event.
The two-day festival witnessed participation from over 600 delegates, including corporate leaders, ESG professionals, policymakers, academicians, research scholars, students, and grassroots organizations, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue and collaboration on climate action, sustainable development, and environmental governance.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, SIU, highlighted the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as a guiding principle for global sustainability, emphasizing collective responsibility toward the planet. Dr. Ramakrishna Raman, Vice-Chancellor, SIU, reinforced the festival’s theme, “Rethink, Research, and Restore,” and called for urgent, research-driven and action-oriented climate initiatives.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries including Padma Shri Dr. Sharad Kale, Former Associate Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), as Chief Guest; Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, popularly known as the Forest Man of India; HE Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, King of Ladakh; and Dr. Rajendra Singh, widely recognized as the Waterman of India, as Guests of Honour. Their presence added depth and inspiration to the deliberations on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
IYSF 4.0 featured more than 20 thematic workshops addressing critical sustainability concerns, ranging from Zero Waste Cities and Urban Governance to Groundwater Awareness and Resource Management. Two specialized certificate courses on Carbon Accounting and ESG were jointly organized by SLSP and the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IIR), New Delhi, further strengthening the academic rigor of the festival.
A major highlight of the event was the “Earth Festival,” which showcased over 60 stalls presenting sustainable products, eco-friendly innovations, and green initiatives by startups and MSMEs. The exhibition drew enthusiastic participation and witnessed strong public engagement.
The festival emphasized the urgent need to sensitize and empower youth toward sustainability while strengthening collaboration among academia, government, industry, and civil society to advance sustainable development goals and promote a carbon-conscious economy. IYSF 4.0 reaffirmed SIU’s continued commitment to nurturing environmental leadership, fostering research-driven solutions, and building multi-sector partnerships to secure a sustainable and resilient future.
