In with the NEW

Every two years, Tunza conference delegates elect new members to the Tunza Youth Advisory Council (TYAC). The winners – one or two young people representing each UNEP region – assist and advise UNEP on better ways to engage young people.

Latin America & the Caribbean

Dalia Fernanda Márquez Añez (22), Venezuela

Studies: Law, with a special interest in human rights. Also runs a Venezuelan youth NGO.
Region’s concerns: High rates of deforestation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About me: I am a defender of human rights, especially the right of everyone to live in a healthy environment.

María del Refugio Boa Alvarado (22), Mexico

Studies: Natural resource management.
Region’s concerns: Climate change, water pollution and availability, loss of biodiversity and deforestation, solid waste management
About me: I am interested in developing public policies based on making quality education available, as well as creating jobs within a green economy.

Europe

Andrew Bartolo (but people call me Chucky) (18), Malta

Studies: Architecture.
Region’s concerns: We have problems with urbanization and deforestation, leading to a lack of biodiversity. The Mediterranean Sea also suffers from pollution and overfishing.
About me: My greatest passion is giving voice to the voiceless. It’s why I got involved with UNEP.

West Asia

M. Ihsan Kaadan (23), Syria

Studies: Medicine.
Region’s concerns: Water shortages, desertification, pollution and climate change. A key aspect to these environmental threats is the dynamic, interactive relationships between them.
About me: As a medical student, I study the impacts of different types of environmental pollution on human bodies.

Asia-Pacific

Shruti Neelakantan (20), India

Studies: Journalism.
Region’s concerns: Drought, floods and other effects of climate change are a great concern for farmers in India, who play a major role in the country’s economy. Our coastal regions are also being affected by sea level rise.
About me: Besides my environmental activities, I plan to pursue further education in sustainable development and policy making.

Gracia Paramitha (22), Indonesia

Studies: International Relations graduate, now working in Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment.
Region’s concerns: Many are confused by the green economy concept. The most important thing is education, and action: recycling materials, creating jobs for the poor, encouraging ecopreneurship.
About me: Few people, especially youth, know how to address environmental issues in a negotiation process. I want to share knowledge about diplomacy with youth.

Africa

Neima’t Allah Shawki (20), Republic of Sudan

Studies: Forestry.
Region’s concerns: Desertification and the lack of water resources.
About me: I am passionate about forests and forestation. I have worked a lot on Sudan’s forests and encourage people to save our green lands, to protect them from desertification.

Elham Fadaly (20), Egypt

Studies: Electronic engineering, mechatronics engineering.
Region’s concerns: Access to energy services.
About me: I’m passionate about pursuing community service and sustainable development work within my field of study.
I dream of creating zero-waste cities in my region.

Indigenous

José Humberto Páez Fernández (20), Costa Rica

Studies: Computer programming and management of natural resources.
Region’s concerns: Indigenous peoples are the most affected by climate change, and suffer from a lack of environmental education.
About me: My passion is the protection of natural resources and the empowerment of young people on environmental issues.