Student
lockers and chairs sitting atop each other in a curve welcome you to the sixth
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) meeting at the UNEP offices in
Gigiri, Nairobi.

Outside
the curve, there are various trees in vases.

Lincoln
Mwangi, one of the Kairos Futura youth members attends to a group of fascinated
onlookers who are here to inquire what the creatively arranged chairs are all
about. There is an inviting message; ‘Get your seat at the table.’

 He
explains the arrangement of chairs relates to the discussion on environment
conservation, pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss ongoing at the
UNEA-6, but in an artistic way. 

“We
have put lockers and chairs in a creative way to look like a plenary room. The
seats arranged in a curved design gives an opportunity to everyone to come, sit
around the table and contribute ideas that can help restore planet earth,”
Mwangi explains.

“Remember,”
he continues, “the theme for UNEA-6 is Effective, Inclusive, and Sustainable
Multilateral Actions to Tackle Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and
Pollution.”

He
explains to his visitors, “Much of the dialogues taking place here, aims at
safeguarding the future generation. We used lockers because everybody can
relate with learners whether in Uganda, Tanzania or anywhere in the world. We
want the discussions to bring us together and at the same level.”

 Mwangi
shares that the seven-member group uses art and creativity to pass messages of
environmental conservation and climate change in the community and they are
happy people are now aware of the negative effects of climate change and
appreciate efforts being put in place to stop them.

Among
the things the group educate the community are proper disposal of waste
management, behaviour change and saving the environment.

“We
combine art and environment and do advocacy to the community on Climate issues.
We have collaborated with scientists to design creative work which is
futuristic. We work together with children, youth and other artists in the
community,” Mwangi said.

The
group has also partnered with other artists like Wajukuu Arts collectives from
Mukuru involved in collecting garbage, cleaning rivers and planting trees.

“My
group has designed pots that can sieve the contaminated water which at the end
is used to water trees along the river when it is dry season,” he says.

During
the Youth Environment Assembly held on February 18 at UNEP Headquarters just
before UNEA-6 kicked off, the Assembly gave youth the necessary tools to
understand the processes and negotiations of UNEA and take action to tackle
major global challenges.

UNEP
Executive Director in her opening remarks, highlighted the role of youth in
collaborating with other stakeholders for a common purpose in environment
conservation.

“The
power to change lies with us. With you. With the members of this Assembly, the
governments they represent and all who make up the wider UNEA and UNEP family
Multilateral Environmental Agreements to scientists, from civil society to
youth, from Indigenous Peoples to the businesses and financiers who know they
must do things differently,” Inger explained at the time.