The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) initiated the Young Talent Pipeline, bringing together youth from around the world to create impactful environmental solutions. The first phase of this initiative was launched in 2023 through which young people between the ages of 27 and 33 years got opportunities to delve deep into environmental projects. UN Volunteers — Chawanagwa Nyirenda, Luis Pineda and Samantha Dalvalos were part of the first cohort and have just ended their volunteer assignments. Let's hear from them.
Chawanagwa Nyirenda's grassroots experience with 14 communities in Malawi on climate change adaptation led him to the Young Talent Pipeline. He has extensive research on loss and damage. Loss and damage refers to the negative effects of climate change that occur despite mitigation and adaptation efforts. This research was presented at the first-ever Loss and Damage Symposium, which inspired him to join the UN Volunteers' cadre.
His moment to shine came during the June UN Climate Meetings, where he was part of the UN delegation negotiating Article 8 of the Paris Agreement.
I joined the SB 60 and participated in the negotiations. I also got an opportunity to meet with other agencies and organizations working on Loss and Damage." Chawanagwa Nyirenda, UN Volunteer from Malawi.
At the end of his UN Volunteer assignment with the Young Talent Pipeline, Chawanagwa led the development of UNEP's strategy on loss and damage. He also produced a comprehensive stocktake paper to guide the environmental approach.
With a background in environmental sciences and development studies, Luis Pineda was motivated to join UNEP's Nature-based Solutions team. Right from the get-go, together with his team, he was part of a proposed draft resolution on nature-based solutions during the 6th UN Environment Assembly. Even though the resolution was not adopted, the learning experience was invaluable, says Luis. "Being able to co-lead this multi-stakeholder participative process is so far one of the most rewarding experiences of my work in UNEP."
Being part of a draft resolution on nature-based solutions was a learning experience in the ins and outs of multinational negotiation processes." Luis Pineda, UN Volunteer from El Salvador.
Another UN Volunteer, Samantha Dalvalos joined the Young Talent Pipeline with a clear mission — make an impact and support the global restoration movement. She coordinated a workshop during the UN Environment Assembly, which opened her eyes to a much larger world along with multiple opportunities to network and peer-to-peer learning.
She values her newfound understanding of political processes, it's had a profound influence on her.
I have a better understand now on how the political process and decision-making work. It's a challenging and slow process, often driven by political interests rather than environmental topics." Samantha Dalvalos, UN Volunteer from Mexico.
For Samantha, the most rewarding part is to know the mechanisms that form the basis of UNEP's decision-making processes — how are commitments and protocols discussed and decided.
Loss and damage, nature-based solutions, and insights into decision-making processes — all highlight how UN Volunteers support the environmental objectives of the Young Talent Pipeline.
It's more about looking at the big picture and proposing solutions while learning and sharing knowledge — young people at the fore of it all.
_________
UN Volunteer assignments for the second phase of the Young Talent Pipeline are expected to begin in late 2024.
So far in 2024, over 270 UN Volunteers serve with UNEP.