Sumanta works for the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS International), a leading international think tank and action tank. His professional career began in development research, and he has since amassed diverse experience working in the non-profit, public and private sectors. Sumanta's key areas of interest are trade and connectivity, environment, livelihoods and women's empowerment. Sumanta is interested in how these issues affect the Bay of Bengal sub-region. He received an Award of Excellence Certificate for his outstanding contributions in that area. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Capacity Building Program for the Vulnerable Communities Living in the Bengal Coastline on Climate Change and Disaster Management   

The project raises awareness of the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change among local communities in the coastal areas of the West Bengal region that are vulnerable to natural disasters and complex climate change factors. Five capacity-building workshops will be organized for up to 300 people, including fishermen, women and schoolchildren, in localities where awareness levels about climate change and disaster management are low.  

With support from the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata, Sumanta created a 20-page guidebook to build community awareness on the impact of climate change, early warning systems and disaster management. The guidebook will be shared with participants of scheduled capacity building workshops. Starting in November, Sumanta is organizing five capacity building workshops along the coastline of West Bengal for women, children, and fishermen to raise awareness about climate change and disaster management.

“I want to see that the program I plan to conduct will bring about positive change in the community. They will adopt global best practices in dealing with natural disasters. Communities living in coastal areas will be aware of using tools and technology for early warning systems before any type of disaster.” -Sumanta Biswas 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Sumanta participated in the IVLP Project Enhancing Regional Maritime Governance and Cooperation in the Quad, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with WorldBoston and San Diego Diplomacy Council. 

“I experienced and learned during my visit to the United States of America for the IVLP programme that the efforts of various US institutes to raise awareness among people about climate change, increasing natural disasters and how to deal with such challenges, inspired me to do similar activities for marginalized communities in my country.” 

U.S. Communities Visited   

San Diego, CA; Washington, DC; Honolulu, HI; Boston, MA

Country: India 

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