MARIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL

The two-day SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) & ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Conclave, organised by Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI) Assam SDG Council in partnership with Maria’s Public School, concluded successfully in Guwahati on August 2, 2026.

Centred on the theme “Innovate, Unite and Transform: Businesses Shaping the Road to 2030,” the conclave brought together business leaders, educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and students to explore practical pathways towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Assam and the Northeast.

The amalgamation of stalwarts in their respective fields sprouted positivity as they shared their ideas and experiences. The conclave brought together Ms Paramjeet Kaur Dhillon, National President, SDG Council, WICCI India, as the Chief Guest of Day 1, Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Founder and Managing Trustee, Maria’s Public School and State President, SDG Council, WICCI Assam, plenary speakers Dr. Alakananda Das, Founder & CEO, Looms Ecopreneurs Federation and President, WICCI ASEAN, Dr. Shiela Bora, Adviser and Dean, Royal School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Royal Global University, Neha Kaul Parasar, Design Head, STEM, Pakeezah Rahman, Founder & Director, MJI Group, Ms. Ayname Phanbuh, Managing Director, Sa-I-Mika Park, Dr Rizwan Uz Zaman, Senior Consultant, Assam Climate Change Management Society, Govt. of Assam, Sanghamitra Kalita, Founder & CEO, Econic, Narmohan Das, Co-Founder, Ahimsa Eri Silk Project, Trishnamoni Hazarika, Founder & Eco-preneur, Vermi Queen, Dr Biswajit De, Creative Director and Teacher of Design, Maria’s Public School & National Coordinator – IUCN Youth Programmes, Ms Mita Nangia Goswami, International Expert in ESD, Sushmita Bharali, Co-Founder, Bahbari Farms, Dr Polly Vauquline, Professor and HoD, Department of Women’s Studies, Gauhati University, Dr Rakhi Moral, Dean of Languages and Linguistics, Cotton University and Dr. Charu Chhabra, Principal, (Academics), Kamla Nehru Public School, Phagwara and students with young impressionable minds (from 10 schools including Maria’s Public School) on the same platform fulfilling the theme of ‘Innovate, Unite and Transform.’

Welcoming the gathering, Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Founder and Managing Trustee of Maria’s Public School and State President of the WICCI Assam SDG Council, highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship in accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Over two days, distinguished speakers shared inspiring stories and innovative models in sustainable enterprise, ethical business, climate action, gender equity, eco-tourism, agriculture, handloom, and rural empowerment. Their presentations underscored the power of local knowledge, responsible innovation, and community participation in building a sustainable future.

A major highlight of the conclave was the presentation of interdisciplinary sustainability projects by students of Maria’s Public School. Innovative initiatives such as HyaCraft, BioBanana, and Eco Peel showcased practical solutions that transform environmental challenges into eco-friendly products, reflecting the students’ creativity and commitment to sustainability.

The school also presented its long-standing sustainability journey, while senior secondary Design students exhibited projects demonstrating design thinking for environmental stewardship. The launch of a dedicated digital platform to connect mentors and students further strengthened the conclave’s mission of nurturing future sustainability leaders.

Blending inspiring keynote addresses, meaningful dialogue, and student-led innovation, the conclave reaffirmed that achieving the SDGs demands collective action, responsible leadership, and empowered young changemakers.