After transforming a 46-year-old school into the first SDG-aware school in India Amreesh is now working on developing the first SDG-aware city.
In the heart of Gorakhpur, a city rich in culture and history, stands a beacon of progressive education — St. Paul’s School. At the helm is Amreesh Chandra, a visionary leader with two decades of experience in the education sector. His journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development. Under Amreesh’s leadership, St. Paul’s School, founded 46 years ago, has blossomed into a model institution, seamlessly blending traditional values with modern educational practices.
Amreesh Chandra was recognized by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, and awarded the ‘Freeman to the City of London’ in 2012, honoring his contribution to the development of education from K-12 to higher education in India, the UK, and globally. He was appointed as the Royal Emissary by His Majesty Otumfo Osei Tutu II by the King of the Ashanti Kingdom for his role in education. Amreesh was signed as the Chief Advisor to H.E Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister, North Macedonia for setting up an education-focused self-contained integrated education township.
Amreesh Chandra launched the Project Out of School Children (POoSC) in the presence of Hon’ble Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of Commonwealth Nations, in the jungles of Kushmi in Gorakhpur, U.P. He was presented with the ‘SDG Ambassador’ title, recognizing his efforts in accelerating awareness of SDGs in India, especially in the education sector, jointly by SDG Chaupal and Niti Ayog.
But what inspired Amreesh to step ahead in this journey in the first place will move readers and business leaders alike. The parents of Amreesh Chandra dedicated their lives to imparting quality education to children, especially those from marginalized sections. Disregarding any personal interest, Amreesh Chandra followed the footsteps of his parents, who created the St. Paul’s School in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh in 1978. Under the leadership of Amreesh Chandra, the St. Paul’s School has evolved to be the ‘First SDG Aware School’ in India. The K-12 institution with Amreesh guiding the educational trajectory, is crafting the benchmark for equality, equity, and sustainability through knowledge.
Amreesh’s legacy lies in his transformative approach to integrating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the school’s ethos. Dubbed the “SDG Man of India,” he has pioneered numerous first-of-its-kind initiatives aimed at amplifying awareness and action towards sustainable development. From introducing eco-friendly campus policies, like F*E*W (Save Food, Electricity, and Water) to launch comprehensive SDG-centered curricula, Amreesh’s initiatives have set new benchmarks in educational excellence. His programs encourage students to engage with global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and responsible consumption, enabling a generation of socially responsible and environmentally conscious individuals.
One of his hallmark projects, the “Green Campus” initiative, involves students in hands-on activities like tree planting, waste management, and renewable energy projects. This not only enriches their learning experience but also instills a sense of responsibility towards the planet. Additionally, his emphasis on inclusive education ensures that no child is left behind, echoing the SDGs’ call for equity and inclusivity. Amreesh Chandra’s story is not just about leading a school; it’s about inspiring a movement. His dedication to the SDGs exemplifies how one leader’s vision can galvanize an entire community, making him a true icon of sustainable education in India.
After transforming his school into the First SDG-aware school in India, Amreesh Chandra has enlarged his vision to develop Gorakhpur as the first SDG-aware city in India. He has been working with governments and educational institutions while incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the curriculum and beyond. He has implemented community engagement programs that educate local residents on sustainable practices, and SDGs.
Amreesh has also formed partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, and government agencies to amplify the impact of his SDG awareness campaigns. These collaborations have led to city-wide initiatives, such as creating the city’s first SDG-aware police station. Amreesh has launched innovative public awareness campaigns through media and technology, leveraging social media, and radio to spread the SDG message. Amreesh’s focus on education extends to youth empowerment, with school outreach programs and the establishment of youth clubs and eco-groups. He has instituted a special recognition program for the Social Media Influencers of the City along with setting up first of its kind Awards named “Guardians of Sustainability” which recognizes and awards local individuals and organizations making a difference and has been particularly impactful in inspiring community action.
Amreesh’s work in Gorakhpur is ongoing, and his vision extends beyond the city to create a network of SDG-aware communities across India. His story is a testament to the power of one individual’s vision and dedication to creating a better world. By embedding the SDGs into the fabric of education and community life, Amreesh Chandra is not only transforming Gorakhpur but also inspiring a broader movement towards sustainability and global well-being. His journey exemplifies the impact of compassion, determination, and collective action in building a brighter future because as he says, “he walks in faith and not by sight”.
He believes in uniting diverse stakeholders from educational institutions and government agencies to local authorities, police forces, school leaders, and business communities. His message is to inspire each partner to embrace sustainability within their operations, fostering an amplifying effect of awareness and action across society. For Amreesh, sustainability isn’t a solitary goal but a collective movement aiming for a future where the principles of equity, responsibility, and environmental stewardship are deeply ingrained in society. Amreesh Chandra’s journey is one of a kind, a relentless champion of the SDGs who works to turn schools, cities, and the entire nation toward a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
Currently, Amreesh Chandra is working in India in collaboration with the Dept. of Tourism, Govt of UP to accelerate SDG awareness through sustainable tourism through schools and society. He has partnered with universities through the Global Green Council connecting these institutions of knowledge to the world and sharing awareness of the SDGs. In early 2024, Amreesh Chandra signed the MoU and was appointed as ‘Sustainability Awareness Knowledge Partner’ for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University for promoting the UN SDGs within their campuses across students and faculty members. He has launched ‘The House of MOSAIC’ to build India’s First Company positioned on creating Content for Sustainable Social Change.
He has a personality colored with vibrance, resilience, and discipline. His tenacity to create SDG projects across countries like India, the UK, the UAE, Sweden and several others portrays just the tip of his leadership capacity.
As the world looks up to Amreesh Chandra, he drives the winds of change that will motivate generations to come.
