SAARC Charter Day Action Plan and Timeline

ACADEMIC–ACTIVIST–ADVOCACY CONFLUENCE

Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness in Southasia

From Shared Knowledge to Collective Action:

SAARC Charter Day | 8 December 2026

A Southasian regional collaboration initiative that converts academic research into public mobilisation and policy advocacy.

Its distinctive strength is bringing together universities, climate researchers, civil society organisations, activists, youth and communities across all eight Southasian countries, with a concrete outcome: A Joint Representation to Governments and SAARC on Climate Cooperation and Disaster Preparedness.

Strategy

Climate risks and disasters cross national borders require regional cooperation.
Develop an evidence-informed Proposal–Representation for Governments and SAARC through expert papers and public consultations.
Joint Proposal–Representation receives Online and Offline public endorsements and is propagated to wider public using youth creativity through videos, Reels, posters, poetry, plays and other media.
Objective: Promote shared early warning, preparedness, response and resilient recovery in Southasia through partnership of all stakeholders

1. Why this initiative matters

Climate-related hazards do not stop at national borders. No single country or sector can address every risk alone. Regional cooperation can help stakeholders exchange knowledge, anticipate shared threats, strengthen preparedness and response, and ensure that local experience informs public policy.

2. Purpose and objectives

Bring together academics, climate and disaster experts, civil society organisations, activists, youth and community voices from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Identify priority areas for regional cooperation in climate risk reduction, early warning, disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilient recovery.

Translate research and stakeholder experience into a concise, actionable Proposal–Representation addressed to the Heads of State or Government of all eight Southasian countries and to SAARC.

Mobilise public and organisational endorsements, with particular emphasis on youth participation and creative public communication.

Build a continuing network of academic institutions and climate-action organisations willing to collaborate across borders.

3. Proposed programme and activities

A. Expert Roundtable and Joint Proposal–Representation

Convene an online roundtable of approximately 20 experts and activists representing the eight countries. Two or three experts will prepare short position papers in advance. These papers will be circulated to participants and made available for public comment. The roundtable will consider the evidence and recommendations, then finalise a concise Proposal–Representation calling for stronger, comprehensive and collective regional mechanisms.

B. Youth and public mobilisation

Invite young people and community groups to use the salient points of the Joint Proposal- Representation to communicate the links between climate change, disasters and regional interdependence through short videos, Reels/Shorts, posters, plays, poetry, rap, photography, illustrations, podcasts, school or campus activities and other accessible creative formats. Shortlisted entries will be showcased online on 8 December 2026. To see the Magic that is created by Youth through social media, Please visit: www.peacedoyens.org

C. Advocacy and public endorsements

Invite academic institutions, civil society and climate-action organisations, professional networks and individuals to endorse the Proposal–Representation Online and Offline. List endorsing organisations alphabetically.

On SAARC Charter Day, seek to submit the Proposal – Representation to the highest appropriate authorities in each of the eight countries, and to relevant SAARC leadership.

D. Regional Confluence in Nepal

Organise a two-day in-person confluence in Kathmandu: Day One for a peace and climate-resilience conference; Day Two for a showcase of shortlisted youth entries and presentation of the Proposal–Representation to relevant SAARC and Nepalese officials.

Participants at the Regional Confluence in Nepal will cover their own travel, stay and related costs, while Nepal-based partners will facilitate local coordination and logistical guidance.

4. Partner invitation

We invite academic institutions, climate and disaster-risk organisations, civil society groups, youth networks and concerned individuals across Southasia to join this collaborative effort. By contributing knowledge, experience, creativity or endorsement, partners can help turn shared regional challenges into a common agenda for preparedness, resilience and mutual support.

5. What partners can contribute—and gain

Partners may contribute expertise, position papers, speakers, research, youth outreach, translations, dissemination, endorsements, creative submissions, local coordination or voluntary logistical support.

In return, the initiative can offer meaningful regional visibility and collaboration without requiring a financial contribution: alphabetical acknowledgement of endorsing organisations, attribution for papers and recommendations, opportunities to contribute to the joint representation, participation in public events, and opportunities to showcase youth and community work.

The initiative is being developed without a confirmed central budget. Participation and any travel or other costs should therefore be borne by the Partners.

Facilitating Platform: Doyens of Peace of Southasia. All participating organisations, including Doyens of Peace will be listed alphabetically..

Contact: Doyens of Peace of Southasia: Secretariat: COVA Peace Network, Hyderabad, India. Pin: 500 005. Email:peacedoyenssouthasia@gmail.com, whatsapp: +91 97019 09370

Website: www.peacedoyens.org

Indicative timeline

DATE	MILESTONE
22 October 2026	Begin outreach to experts and prospective partners.
24 October 2026	Doyens of Peace webinar to discuss and finalise the event programme.
25 October 2026	Identify 2–3 position-paper authors; invite youth participation.
7 November 2026	Receive and circulate position papers to the expert group and to members of the Public
14 November 2026	Hold the Online Expert Roundtable Webinar- Attendees of the Webinar will be able to give suggestions through Chat Box. .
16 November 2026	Finalise and circulate the Proposal–Representation; launch the online and offline endorsement campaign.
28 November 2026	Deadline for youth creative submissions.
4^th December 2026	Last Date for Submission of Online and Offline endorsements
7^th December 2026	Regional Confluence in Nepal- Day One – Conference on Peace and Southasia
8 December 2026	Regional Confluence in Nepal- Day Two SAARC Charter Day: online showcase of shortlisted entries by Youth of Southasia Advocacy: representation activities.