The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) TUNZA International Youth Conference took place from 10 till 14 February in Nairobi (Kenya). The conference brought over 300 young people from 100 different countries together to exchange information, good practices and to connect with each other.
As representative for Go4BioDiv – International Youth Forum I participated at this conference. This was for me an opportunity to connect with youth from all around the world and have conversations about biodiversity related issues, like issues from the Netherlands, but also from other parts of the world.
I was invited because of my experience at the Go4BioDiv – Forum in India 2012. Besides, I also disseminated information about the widespread catch of baby fish in the fishery, a major threat to sustainability. The information about this problem I received from Mundus maris asbl, namely flyers, baby fish book marks etc.
During the five days of the Conference, we followed different talks by inspiring people, participated in different workshops for a better understanding of the numerous problems and spoke in regional groups about the international and regional outcomes.
Our international youth statement was adopted unanimously. As a young professional, I encourage all youth to find out more about the TUNZA youth network of UNEP, were you can empower yourselves and become an activist in environmental issues:
Together we can act for a better world.
Erik Versluijs
Manager at Versluijs – Project, Green Youth Initiatives
& Dutch Go4BioDiv Messenger, India 2012