ENO is one of the two Finnish NGOs accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Accreditation grants the NGO an observer status to UNEA. Until now, we have not had representation in the UNEP meeting. Senni, a student from the Aalto University, School of Business, will represent ENO in the UNEA meeting in Nairobi. You will hear more about Senni’s travel here on our website as the meetings progress.
My name is Senni Alho, and I’m a master’s student majoring in sustainability at Aalto University School of Business. I’m passionate about adventures, trying new things and working towards a future made of well-being, equity and regeneration.
In the end of January 2022, the Children and Youth Major Group of UNEP initiated a global call to offer 40 fully-funded spots for the youth across the world to participate in the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) in Nairobi. I’m happy and honored to have been selected for this opportunity, and I’m taking off to Kenya on Thursday 18.2. In order to participate in UNEA 5.2 and OECPR, all delegates needed to receive an accreditation letter from an NGO accredited by UNEP. ENO Schoolnet Association kindly provided me with an accreditation making it possible for me to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The selected delegates actively participate in the Global Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) between 19.2-4.3, in the run up to the UNEA 5.2 and the Special Session devoted to commemoration of the 50th anniversary of UNEP, among other assemblies and sessions. YEA delegates are expected to contribute in discussions, preparatory work and facilitation tasks prior and during the sessions. The aim is to enable policy advocacy of the youth towards more environmental protection, and to increase their understanding of UN processes and environmental governance.
I’m personally very excited to learn a lot of new things during these three weeks and cannot wait to meet like-minded youth from different parts of the world!