Environmental champion for the region

03 November 2005

A local champion of the environment has returned from a high-level conference in Sydney armed with the tools to help create a more sustainable future for the Pacific region.

Stephanie Polyn was chosen to represent the Solomon Islands at a Pacific Youth Environmental Network (PYEN) conference, backed by the United Nations' TUNZA program for children and youth.

Twelve delegates from Pacific island nations last week attended the five-day conference at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The University, a leader in sustainability research and activities, organised training sessions and lectures from top academics and environmental professionals.

The aim of the conference was to equip delegates with the tools to be able to tackle environmental issues effectively and professionally, and to establish a network where regional issues can be discussed and worked on collectively.

"It was a great and wonderful experience," said Stephanie, who works for the Live and Learn Environmental Foundation. "It was the first time I had met young people from other Pacific countries and I learned so much from them."

Key environmental issues that Stephanie hopes to address through PYEN are logging, over-harvesting of marine resources, land degradation, water pollution and littering.

The conference was hosted by the TUNZA-PYEN Steering Committee and organised by UNSW. It was supported by the United Nations' Environment Program regional office for Asia and the Pacific, the South Pacific Regional Environment Program, the University of New South Wales Ecoliving Centre and Kensington Group, Randwick City Council and sponsored by Bayer AG.

More regional delegates are now sought for the network which it is hoped will expand over the next few years. Enquiries to pyen@unsw.edu.au

UNSW Media contact: Mary O'Malley , (+61-2) 9385 2873, 043 888 1124, m.omalley@unsw.edu.au

Date issued: 1 November 2005