Eric addressing the youth delegates and intoducing the Millenium Challenge.

The first day of the retreat kicked off with youth delegates meeting Eric Falt, UNEP director of communications, who welcomed them to Nairobi and provided them with an overview of the TUNZA activities which aim to engage young people in the work of UNEP.

Eric seized the opportunity and posed a "Millennium Challenge" to the youth, urging them to outline how they can contribute in their own countries towards the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He explained that their contributions will be compiled into a report to be presented during the Tunza International Youth Conference in Bangalore, India next October. The Challenge was well received and following the session, discussions were already underway between delegates about proposed responses.

During the Bayer presentation.

Theodore Oben, UNEP Head of Children & Youth unit, provided an orientation session and further information about TUNZA programme. Following that he invited young people to introduce themselves and each was given an opportunity to briefly inform others of their environmental activities, interests and backgrounds.

TUNZA Youth Advisory Council member, Yvonne Maingey, described the retreat so far::

"I was specially impressed at the session where we discussed with Theo Oben details of the TUNZA strategy. the discussion was full of ideas and the level of interaction was simply amazing! We felt UNEP was not only listening to us, but action was being taken to implement our suggestions and visions."

UNEP's partnership with Bayer on youth activities was one of the highlights of the day, with 2 top Bayer executives attending the retreat. Michael Schade and Dirk Frenzel offered the delegates a presentaion on Bayer's environmental programme and corporate responsibility towards the attainment of sustainable development.

But it wasn't all work and no play. Later in the evening our young people danced the night away following a hearty dinner at Nairobi's famous Carnivore!

The second day of the retreat was held under the title Building Environmental Skills and Knowledge, where Delegates were offered an orientation session on the Millennium Development Goals.

Delegates said they realized now, more than ever before, that they have a role to play in achieving the Millenium Goals, appreciating that the MDGs draw links between the environment and other goals and sees the environment as a common thread between development issues.

Some expressed a desire on behalf of youth to have a stronger voice and more tools to express their concerns and visions on development to decision makers. But they accepted the challenge to find ways and means so their voice is heard louder and clearer.

A discussion on the themes to be discussed during the UNEP Governig Council's 23rd session took place following a closed meeting of the TUNZA Advisory Council.

Gustavo Rayari from Mexico said:

" It was really useful to meet dozens of young people who have the same concerns. It is encouraging to see that the UN system is taking youth into account, however, a lot of things still have to change so youth can really have a greater impact. Yet, I am grateful for the opportunity given to us, we must make the best use of it, and I advise all young people to be proactive."

This is the final day of the retreat for many of the delegates, but ten of them will stay behind to attend the 23rd session of UNEP's GC and to deliver the Youth statement.

The focus today was on UNEP in the regions, with the organization's regional directors meeting with the youth delegates in an attempt to provide them with an overview of the activities of UNEP in each of the regions and to agree on means of cooperation and coordination.

Delegates agree that the opportunity to meet other young people from around the world, who share similar values about the environment, is a unique opportunity made possible by the retreat.

A specialsession was later dedicated to discussing the road to Bangalore, where the upcoming International Youth Conference will be held next October.

Commenting on their experience in the retreat, Kenyan delegates, George Mbugua and Margaret Koli said that rubbing shoulders with fellow retreat delegates and UNEP officials proved to be an inspiring experience, prompting them to start their own youth group with a view to train young people on leadership skills, management and team-work in the context of the environment. George explained that they have realized that:

"we cannot talk about the environment in isolation of other developmental issues. If we are to acheive the MDG's, then we must provide young people with the right tools and a comprehensive vision of the true meaning of sustainable development."

Delegates also expressed enthusiasm over UNEP's TUNZA strategy saying that the strategy and the various steps taken to implement it were done in close consultation with youth groups, in such a way that they have developed a sense of true ownership of the project. The recommendation of youth delegates to draw closer ties between youth, children, and civil society activities, prompted Theo Oben to agree to assign the youth the responsibility to run the workshops in the upcoming Children's Summit in Japan.