Vision 2030
Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), India
Through the style of traditional Gond painting, I capture the workshop’s identified measures, echoing the Gond community’s reverence for nature as reflected in their art..”
Ahana Rao, Artist
The Vision
The vision is of a future marked by sustainable development and harmonious coexistence with nature, where traditional wisdom is preserved. With a focus on sustainable infrastructure, self-sustaining societies are emerging, characterised by green buildings, terrace gardening, and renewable energy sources such as solar panels and e-vehicles. This vision encompasses a world that utilises more natural lighting and practices efficient wastewater management, contributing to reduced usage of non-renewable energy sources. Furthermore, it includes the development of public transport infrastructure in smaller cities. Within this vision that embraces traditional Indian practices, people lead healthy lifestyles, farmers are empowered to plant climate-resistant crops like millets. There is also rural development through initiatives such as natural farming and the innovative use of waste materials, fostering sustainable livelihoods and promoting rural-urban integration.
About CERC
CERC, established in 1978, is an Indian nongovernmental organisation dedicated to the education and empowerment of consumers and the promotion and protection of consumer interests through effective use of education, research, the media and the law. CERC has three main goals: to make consumers aware of their rights, to help them protect themselves, and to make providers of goods and services accountable. It has an in-house laboratory to support comparative produce testing of food, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and domestic electrical appliances.
2023 Campaign
CERC promoted sharing of pre-loved items and published brochures on millet recipes to promote the consumption of indigenous millet crops in its campaign. Its innovative platform – Aap le no Otlo – as a ‘give-and-take’ platform enables well-resourced urban communities to share pre-loved items with lower-income communities. This helps build a spirit of sharing community and extend product life. CERC also worked to raise awareness of the health benefits of millet through a fair in which women home-chefs shared their millet dishes and recipes, sold millet-based products and were able to network for further business opportunities.
