The Academic Exchange and Student Conference for Advancements in Physics (AESCAP) 2026 is an international, student-led initiative actively observing the International Volunteer Year (IVY2026) for sustainable development. 
Organized entirely by a dedicated team of student volunteers from the Indian Network of Physics Students (INPS)-Delhi, which also serves as the Territorial Committee India within IAPS (International Association of Physics Students). 
The event serves as a primary mobilizing platform for undergraduate and master's students to address global issues. 
To directly support the mandate of IVY 2026, our event AESCAP 2026 features programming designed to foster a culture of volunteerism for sustainable development within the hard sciences. A flagship highlight is at Rajdhani College, our dedicated IVY 2026 panel discussion: "Physics, Volunteerism, and Sustainable Future."

This interactive session empowers young physicists to leverage their analytical expertise through grassroots volunteer action, driving tangible solutions for global environmental challenges. Furthermore, our commitment to sustainable development is integrated into our astrophysics session on the final day at the Nehru Planetarium. During our scheduled skywatch session and workshops, we will highlight how environmental factors, such as climate change and light pollution, critically threaten the night sky. These sessions will equip students with actionable, volunteer-driven steps they can take in their local communities to advocate for dark sky preservation and environmental conservation. By integrating these targeted sustainability discussions with high-level research presentations and career development workshops, AESCAP 2026 highlights the power of youth in mitigating global issues on a large scale. Our volunteer-driven initiative directly aligns with the IVY 2026 mandate by empowering the next generation of STEM volunteers to champion sustainable development.

Specifically, our volunteer-driven initiative directly aligns with the IVY 2026 mandate by empowering the next generation of STEM volunteers to champion the following UN Sustainable Development Goals: 

SDG 4 (Quality Education): 
Providing accessible, high-level STEM training, practical workshops, and a platform for peer-to-peer learning.

 
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): 
Fostering technological advancements and innovative thinking in early-career physicists. 

SDG 13 (Climate Action): 
Mobilizing student volunteers to address climate change impacts and advocate for environmental preservation through our dedicated panels and impacts on astrophysics sessions. 

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): 
Facilitating global cooperation by uniting international students under the collaborative umbrella of INPS, IAPS and local academic institutions.