UNEP and TUNZA – Voice of the Environment
About UNEP, TUNZA and partner Bayer
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) can be seen as the “Voice of the Environment” in the United Nations. It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and since 2006 it has been headed by Achim Steiner. (His predecessor was Klaus Töpfer, the former German secretary of the environment.) UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership und encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
In encouraging people to care for the environment and advocating sustainable development, UNEP cooperates with a variety of partners, including other UN institutions, international organisations, governments, the private sector and civil society. One important aspect of UNEP’s work is empowerment for children and youth.
The word “TUNZA” means “to treat with care or affection” in Kiswahili (a sub-regional language in Eastern Africa). It was selected as the title of UNEP’s long-term strategy on working with young people in environmental issues. Several activities including the Tunza international and regional conferences, publications and campaigns are implemented to promote awareness and actions on the environment by young people.
The TUNZA International Youth Conference is one of the main platforms for cooperation and interaction between UNEP and its youth partners. It is the vision of the organisation to "foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who will better influence decision-making processes and act responsibly to create a sustainable world".
Since 2004, UNEP and Bayer have been acting as partners. The formal basis for this partnership is a cooperation agreement signed in summer 2004 in Leverkusen, Germany. Under this agreement, UNEP and Bayer jointly implement and develop partnership projects on a long-term basis. In addition, Bayer, as UNEP's industry partner in youth and the environment, has committed itself to providing financial support of one million euros per year.
Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Bayer Board of Management responsible for Innovation, Technology and Environment, says: “Environmental protection is a challenge for the whole of society across the globe. It is essential that politicians and industry representatives work together with the relevant interest groups to meet this challenge. Young people have always played a key role in Bayer’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.”
In encouraging people to care for the environment and advocating sustainable development, UNEP cooperates with a variety of partners, including other UN institutions, international organisations, governments, the private sector and civil society. One important aspect of UNEP’s work is empowerment for children and youth.
The word “TUNZA” means “to treat with care or affection” in Kiswahili (a sub-regional language in Eastern Africa). It was selected as the title of UNEP’s long-term strategy on working with young people in environmental issues. Several activities including the Tunza international and regional conferences, publications and campaigns are implemented to promote awareness and actions on the environment by young people.
The TUNZA International Youth Conference is one of the main platforms for cooperation and interaction between UNEP and its youth partners. It is the vision of the organisation to "foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who will better influence decision-making processes and act responsibly to create a sustainable world".
Since 2004, UNEP and Bayer have been acting as partners. The formal basis for this partnership is a cooperation agreement signed in summer 2004 in Leverkusen, Germany. Under this agreement, UNEP and Bayer jointly implement and develop partnership projects on a long-term basis. In addition, Bayer, as UNEP's industry partner in youth and the environment, has committed itself to providing financial support of one million euros per year.
Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Bayer Board of Management responsible for Innovation, Technology and Environment, says: “Environmental protection is a challenge for the whole of society across the globe. It is essential that politicians and industry representatives work together with the relevant interest groups to meet this challenge. Young people have always played a key role in Bayer’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.”