Global partnership extended to end of 2013

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A GLOBAL partnership on youth and the environment  that engages millions of young people worldwide — launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bayer            AG in 2004 — will be extended to      the end of 2013.

RECYCLABLE WASTE: Trash, including electronic products, are separated for recycling or reuse at the waste processing and disposal facility.

Projects implemented under the partnership range from tree planting, development of educational       materials and creative competitions to convening of major children and      youth conferences and strengthening youth representation at major global events.

Bayer will invest 1.2 million Euros annually in support of projects under the partnership.

“Youth and children represent over 37 per cent of the world’s population. Their future will be shaped by our action to protect the planet. The partnership  with Bayer aims to step up efforts to facilitate young people’s access to vital information on the       state of the planet, invest in their initiatives and ensure their voices are heard in the international arena,”        said UN under-secretary general and UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.

Sharing the same sentiment, Bayer AG chairman of the board of management Dr Marijn Dekkers   added: “We are looking forward to continuing this successful partnership with UNEP that strikes such a chord with young people throughout the world.

“We are committed to initiating constructive dialogue with and supporting young people interested in environmental issues. After all, they   can make a valuable contribution through their justified interest, critical awareness, commitment and passion for environmental protection.”

Through the partnership, UNEP and Bayer create opportunities for young people and children to expand and share their environmental knowledge and skills and put into practice concrete environmental protection ideas. What began as a pioneering project in 2004 has now become a public-private partnership that serves a model for both organisations.

Apart from the BYEE programme, activities under the Bayer-UNEP partnership include the Tunza International Youth/Children’s Conference, Tunza magazine, and children’s painting and photo competitions.