On the 5th and 6th December 2020, Nam Theun 2 partnered with Zero Waste Laos to deliver the Youth for SDGs Laos Conference 2020 at the International School of Laos. The purpose of the event was to create a better understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) within the Lao youth and make a call-to-make for acting towards sustainable development.
More than 200 youth volunteers were gathered from all around Laos for this two day event with interactive activities like an “SDG Quest”, breakout sessions and case challenges, which prompted the young participants to work together in order to implement projects within their communities which are in line with SDGs. Among the volunteers, 15 were selected from the Nakai, Gnommalath districts as well as children of Nam Theun 2 employees in order for them to inspire positive change in their communities.
Representatives of the Lao Government (Ministry of Education and Sports), international community (UNFPA), diplomatic corps (UK Embassy), development organizations (NPA) and private sector (Nam Theun 2) attended the official opening of the event and delivered keynote speeches.
Speaking of behalf of Nam Theun 2, Mr. Olivier Didry said: “Today we are speaking the language of Sustainability, and the SDGs are our letters of the alphabet […] Nam Theun 2 strongly believes in the cause for sustainable development in Laos, and we are already working with multiple partners to secure sustainable livelihoods in the Nakai Plateau, restore biodiversity in the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, and improve how we produce electricity as we are doing with our floating solar project”
The conference also hosted the “SDG Fair” on Sunday 6th December 2020, where Nam Theun 2’s CSR and Environment departments showcased their work in order to educate and inspire the participants.
