Imphal: While attending the first World Children’s Day held in Rome, Italy on May 26, Licypriya Kangujam, the 12-year-old climate and environmental activist from the Indian state of Manipur met Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vatican’s Head Pope Francis, according to a press communique issued here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the young climate activist urged the Pope and Italian Prime Minister to make efforts to provide special humanitarian support to the victims of violence and to end the communal crisis in Manipur besieged by conflict between two groups that erupted on May 3, 2023.
She also asked them to provide a special financial package to rebuild the communities and initiate a massive afforestation programme in Manipur stating that one of the root causes of the violence is the deforestation and illegal cultivation of poppies in the remote areas of Manipur/India bordering Myanmar.
Licypriya who had earlier met with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloniwas last year was invited to the World Children’s Day celebration graced by Pope Francis as a special guest on behalf of all the children of the world.
She took the rare opportunity to meet and urged the two leaders for the betterment of ties with India and Italy and also Vatican city.
The communique added that the Pope assured Licypriya of full support for the cause she is fighting for the betterment of mankind.