Washington,
D.C./Berkeley, California, July 26, 2010
- Hip hop performances, an eco-friendly
dance floor and dinner aboard a hybrid ferry
were among the more unusual highlights of
the Tunza North American (Tunzana) Youth
Network Conference, held from July 23-25
in California.
The Tunzana Network,
established in 2008, provides an opportunity
for North American youth to showcase their
environmental work on a regional and international
platform, while also connecting them to
UNEP and the global Tunza Network. This
year, a select group of seventeen young
environmental leaders from the United States
and Canada met at the University of California
at Berkeley to participate in the event,
which was organised by UNEP's Regional Office
for North America (UNEP RONA).
Set up in 2003, Tunza
(meaning "to treat with care"
in Swahili) is made up of networks of young
environmentalists from across the world
and is part of UNEP's long-term strategy
for engaging young people in environmental
activities. The project is designed to foster
a generation of environmentally-conscious
citizens and help channel their enthusiasm
into positive action - even at the very
highest level.
To this effect, one
of the weekend's events included a presentation
by Bonnie Nixon, founder of the CODE Green
Agency, on how young people can work with
governments and corporations on green issues.
"Engaging young
people is crucial to tackling some of today's
most pressing environmental issues, not
only in our region but around the world.
This conference represents a major step
in solidifying UNEP RONA's youth outreach
work," said Amy Fraenkel, Director
of UNEP RONA.
The conference was facilitated
by Darian Rodriguez Heyman, current chair
of the UN's Green Tech Summit. Representing
UNEP RONA was Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, the
person responsible for bringing the Tunzana
Network to fruition.
In addition to developing
a strategy for the Network's activities
in the coming two years, some of the conference's
main highlights included:
A presentation by 350.org
co-founder May Boeve on 'Using Social Networks
to Organize Grassroots Campaigns'
A campus tour around
UC Berkeley that showcased sustainable initiatives,
as well as some of the school's major student-run
environmental groups
A two-hour trip aboard
the Hornblower Hybrid ferry, the United
States' first hybrid ferry, which uses energy
from solar, wind, grid electric, and Tier
2 diesel generators to power the vessel
"It's important
to participate in conferences like this
because when you engage in a group you feel
like part of a family, a network of others
who have the same passion and vision for
a better world," said Marisol Becerra,
one of Tunzana's youth network advisors.
The University of California
at Berkeley served not only as a picturesque
venue, but also as an example of an institution
that employs progressive environmental and
conservation initiatives.
Eleven young people
from the United States and six from Canada
took part in the three-day event. After
the weekend's inspiring talks, trips and
tours, as well as some invaluable networking,
it's hoped that Tunzana's young members
will return hope, ready to take action on
the environment in their schools and communities.
For more information about the Tunza network
please visit www.unep.org/Tunza
