Profile: Jekulin Lipi Saikia, advocate for youth inclusion

“I do not make enemies, but partners and friends”

Jekulin Lipi Saikia leads the Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Stakeholder Group through the Sendai Framework Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism and advocates for youth inclusion, gender equality and social equity. She is currently working in Assam on flood preparedness and has helped to prepare and respond to recurring floods in the State.

“We have to do more because my fellow youth and the children are not aware of disasters and how to protect themselves,” she says. “The issue is the lack of awareness, and the children do not know how to protect themselves when a disaster strikes.”

Jekulin says if a child is aware of how to protect themselves, they can contribute to the protection of their family and to the community. “They are not vulnerable. I would rather they are partners, and they are our strengths.”

She is focused on building capacity and educating children on disaster risk reduction through a disaster books called “COPE”. “The books teach the children how to create a survival kit, where to evacuate, how to read the warning system so that they can save themselves.”The books focus on three phases of disaster: pre-during-after. Jekulin says that disaster books also present "opportunities to talk about the emotional toll disasters might take on children. These children's books are created in consultation with subject expertise and with children themselves."

She tells the story of a family who was traveling to Japan, when there was an earthquake. “The mom panicked thinking about her children, and wanted to stay inside the hotel building but her children took the necessary steps to got her out from the building. by telling her to move. That is real strength; once you teach them the correct information, they can help in the protection of themselves and the family.”

"Once you teach young people the correct information, they can help in the protection of themselves and the family.”

Jekulin says seeing more young people become leaders is changing the landscape, but when she began she was intimidated. “When I saw leaders sitting in front of me, they had so much vast knowledge, I was scared. With time I understood that I have not only represented my thoughts, I am representing an Asia-Pacific Youth voice. I am not saying my opinion, but it is an Asia-Pacific voice, which I am putting forward. That is my biggest strength.”

Jekulin insists we should not focus on problems, but rather look for opportunities and solutions. “We must keep pushing decision makers and hold them accountable" she says. "We need a lot of patience to keep pushing for risk reduction and resilience building." Jekulin thinks we should continuously advocate, build awareness and bring the changes in our community as every step counts. "I do not make enemies, but I try to make partners and friends.”

As the climate crisis intensifies floods and droughts, Jekulin says young people in India and around the region must have a clear voice. “We really need to step up on climate actions. We do not want to live in an environment which is so polluted, degrading and impacted by extreme climatic events. Let us build an environment where young people and adults alike want to live."