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Highlights
- TCS Sustainathon provides a stage for the youth to channel their creativity and problem-solving skills.
- TCS Sustainathon was launched in the Middle East and Africa region for the first time in 2022, starting with South Africa.
- Beyond awareness, the program promotes STEM education, nurturing the young generation’s passion for technology-driven solutions.
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Climate hope
In our rapidly changing world, sustainability challenges have become more urgent than ever.
From climate change to resource depletion, the earth is facing a host of issues that demand immediate attention. Yet, in the face of these challenges, hope gleams on the horizon—the power of youth. Armed with ideas and the power of technology, young minds have the potential to reshape the future and drive positive change one step at a time.
The convergence of technology and innovation is key to addressing the sustainability challenges that lie ahead. With access to information, tools, and platforms, today’s youth have an unprecedented opportunity to create solutions with a lasting impact. This is where events such as the TCS Sustainathon come into play, providing a stage for the youth to channel their creativity and problem-solving skills.
What is TCS Sustainathon?
TCS believes in the transformative potential of the youth, which is why TCS Sustainathon was launched in South Africa.
TCS Sustainathon is a global flagship event that serves as a platform to inspire young minds to envision a sustainable future driven by digital technologies.
What sets the TCS Sustainathon apart is its unique emphasis on collaboration between the student community, private enterprises, non-profits, and government agencies. Together, they forge a formidable ecosystem to drive change and build a sustainable future.
Launch in the MEA region
TCS Sustainathon was launched in the Middle East and Africa region for the first time in 2022, starting with South Africa.
In its inaugural year, TCS Sustainathon South Africa addressed the theme of “Achieving Zero Hunger” and was meant for school students in the Western Cape. The response from the young learners was overwhelming, with several innovative solutions pouring in. The winning teams showcased the power of innovative thinking combined with technology and policy changes. They devised methods to combat food insecurity and minimize wastage, underscoring the transformative potential of the youth in addressing societal challenges. The successes of past winning teams exemplify the transformative potential of the initiative.
The second edition of TCS Sustainathon South Africa was recently concluded, with over 200 registrations from 48 universities across the country. This year, the theme was “Sustainable Water and Sanitation Management”. Water scarcity and sanitation being critical concerns in the region, we received several out-of-the-box creative solutions. We now aim to identify viable and actionable solutions and help students develop prototypes to combat the issues.
Inspiring the agents of change
Beyond awareness, the program promotes STEM education, nurturing the young generation’s passion for technology-driven solutions.
The program’s core purpose revolves around three key pillars— Expose, Inspire, and Enable. Through this framework, participants gain insight into the environmental issues and challenges specific to South Africa. They are inspired to take an active role in advocating for sustainability, leveraging technology as a tool to drive change. Finally, through guidance and mentorship, these young minds are empowered to turn their ideas into reality.
What sets the TCS Sustainathon apart is its unique emphasis on collaboration between the student community, private enterprises, non-profits, and government agencies. Together, they forge a formidable ecosystem to drive change and build a sustainable future.
Collaboration is the key
TCS recognizes that one organization alone cannot drive significant change.
Hence, to amplify the impact of TCS Sustainathon, we have partnered with a range of organizations that share the same drive and passion towards sustainability. In the previous year, partners included top entities such as Pick n Pay, BankservAfrica, Unilever, United Nations Global Compact, and Western Cape Education Department. This year’s partners and collaborators were uBuhleBakhe Water™, Geekulcha, MTN, SkillsLab, and the City of Tshwane, demonstrating the power of collaboration in achieving collective goals.
The road ahead
The vision behind the TCS Sustainathon extends far beyond a one-time event.
It’s a commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability among the youth. By holding this event annually, TCS aims to inspire young minds to build innovative solutions and shape their sustainable future and their communities.
In a world that faces daunting sustainability challenges, events like the TCS Sustainathon remind us that the future is in good hands. The youth have the power to transform ideas into actions and create a more sustainable world. Through their creativity, passion, and collaboration, they can turn the tide and drive impactful change, one innovative solution at a time.
