emirates7 - A 17-year-old student from Dubai, Aritro Chatterjee, is making waves globally after being invited to speak at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York. A Year 12 student at Dubai College, Aritro was one of 25 students selected worldwide and the only representative from the UAE to address the Assembly in September. His speech focused on the importance of increasing youth representation in decision-making processes, promoting youth involvement in environmental issues, and leveraging Math, Science, and emerging technologies like AI to tackle environmental challenges.
This opportunity came after Aritro was named a RISE Global Winner, a prestigious program by Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, which identifies exceptional young individuals making a significant impact. RISE selects 100 students out of over 50,000 applicants globally, and Aritro was recognized for his work, which includes a podcast where he interviews young environmental leaders from around the world, featuring change-makers from countries like Nigeria, Lebanon, and the UAE.
Reflecting on his experience in New York, Aritro described feeling both overwhelmed and inspired. Meeting global delegates, including those from the South African Water Commission, helped him realize the global significance of his work. "You initially feel quite overwhelmed, but you also realize that the work you've been doing is coming to fruition on such a global stage," he shared.
Aritro also highlighted how the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, through initiatives like the Year of Sustainability, COP 28, and Expo 2020, has shaped his ambitions. He explained that sustainability covers social, environmental, and economic aspects, and he focuses on encouraging youth to drive impact in their communities by providing them with resources through local institutions and governments.
Aritro, an Indian expatriate, developed a passion for mathematics in his childhood, which eventually evolved into an interest in applying quantitative methods to address real-world environmental and social issues. Looking ahead, he aspires to become an environmental scientist, working with governments and institutions to influence global policy and industry innovation. He is particularly driven to bridge the gap between technical experts, researchers, and policymakers, addressing the divide he perceives in the world today.
This opportunity came after Aritro was named a RISE Global Winner, a prestigious program by Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, which identifies exceptional young individuals making a significant impact. RISE selects 100 students out of over 50,000 applicants globally, and Aritro was recognized for his work, which includes a podcast where he interviews young environmental leaders from around the world, featuring change-makers from countries like Nigeria, Lebanon, and the UAE.
Reflecting on his experience in New York, Aritro described feeling both overwhelmed and inspired. Meeting global delegates, including those from the South African Water Commission, helped him realize the global significance of his work. "You initially feel quite overwhelmed, but you also realize that the work you've been doing is coming to fruition on such a global stage," he shared.
Aritro also highlighted how the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, through initiatives like the Year of Sustainability, COP 28, and Expo 2020, has shaped his ambitions. He explained that sustainability covers social, environmental, and economic aspects, and he focuses on encouraging youth to drive impact in their communities by providing them with resources through local institutions and governments.
Aritro, an Indian expatriate, developed a passion for mathematics in his childhood, which eventually evolved into an interest in applying quantitative methods to address real-world environmental and social issues. Looking ahead, he aspires to become an environmental scientist, working with governments and institutions to influence global policy and industry innovation. He is particularly driven to bridge the gap between technical experts, researchers, and policymakers, addressing the divide he perceives in the world today.