Venue: SC Bhavan, Development Area
Date: 20-22 November, 2026
Youth, as defined by the National Youth Policy, are individuals aged between 15-29. Youth comprise more than 25 percent of the total population in both Sikkim and Darjeeling-Kalimpong Districts of West Bengal. As a substantial demographic, their aspirations, choices, values and political engagements offer critical insights into the futures of the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya itself.
Youth experiences and perspectives provide insight into broader regional transformation, and provide grounded insights into how educations systems, labour markets, migration, politics, and cultural change etc., are being experienced and negotiated on the ground.
However, youth experiences are not uniform; many have to shoulder adult responsibilities at a very young age, while for many others, this period is prolonged due to continued education, training, seeking employment etc. Being ‘youth’ comes with certain expectations, implications and responsibilities which may not correspond with the official age category. Taking this diversity in experiences into consideration, we consider youth (for the purposes of this event) to be individuals aged 18-32.
The Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya are characterised by a distinct cultural and political history, environmental challenges and socio-economic dynamics. This distinction also extends to youth experiences and perspectives, which while sharing commonality with young people around the world, are actively shaped by ongoing transformations and challenges that are specific to the region. However, concerted efforts have not been made to understand the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya – challenges, opportunities, vulnerabilities and inequities – from the perspective of the youth.
Identifying and acknowledging this gap in research, policy and practice, the Shared Futures Conclave 2026: Youth Edition focuses on issues pertinent to the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya (viz. ecological sustainability, infrastructure, work, politics etc.) from the perspective of the youth of the region.
The Conclave brings together researchers, practitioners, government institutions, communities and policymakers for meaningful collaboration and sustained dialogue across sectors. By bringing different sectors and institutions together on a single platform, the Conclave breaks out of traditional institutional barriers, and creates an inclusive, grounded space for critical, in-depth and solution-oriented dialogue on local, context-specific issues.
Email: sharedfutures.readinghimalaya@gmail.com
