On 11th April 2016, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Kenya to further youth empowerment initiatives in Kenya in alignment with vision 2030 agenda on sustainable development.
The agreement entailed supporting a community cooker project in Kariobangi that has adopted the use of technology on solid waste management and promotes the culture of entrepreneurship among the youth as a source of income for improved live hoods.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director and Regional Representative, Regional Office for Africa UNEP, Dr. Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, affirmed UNEP’s support towards the implementation of youth activities by working together with the private sector through engaging youth in job creation.
“We aim at bringing together the private sector to engage youth in job creation for sustainable development. This is in line with the 2030 agenda on sustainable development goals,” said Dr. Juliette Biao, Africa Regional Representative.
Global Peace Foundation Patron and Chairman Chandaria Foundation, Dr Manu Chandaria, expressed his interest in promoting service initiatives among the youth for sustainable development and encouraged to replicate the same in other countries in Africa.
“When implementing any agenda on youth it’s always important to engage all UN agencies, the private sector and the civil society. The Community Cooker project should also be implemented in other COMESA countries and IGAD member states for broad impact,” suggested Dr. Manu Chandaria.
Mr. Les Baille, Executive Director, MPESA Foundation and Chairman of the Environmental Track on the other hand expressed his happiness that corporates have come to together to solve challenges facing the society through a collective impact approach.
“This is a first time in Kenya corporates are working together to support one joint program for social impact,” said Mr. Les Baillie “I have been working hard for 10 years trying to bring companies to work together in implementing a joint activity to solve challenges in our society today,” he concluded.
Global Peace Foundation and environmental round table partners have organized for a ground breaking ceremony for the community cooker project scheduled for 27th April 2016 in Kariobangi area. This will then be followed by the construction of a community cooker that will take approximately 3 – 4 months.
As part of the partnership, the Kariobangi Community Cooker Project will be showcased as a best practice at the Second Session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly scheduled for 23rd – 27th May 2016 at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi. The assembly which will be held under the theme: “Delivering on the Environmental Dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” will reflect the latest global, regional and national development related to the environment.
The MoU signing was witnessed by the Executive Director of MPESA Foundation Mr. Les Baille, Mr. Henry Ndede and Mohamed Atani from UNEP as well as Mr. Daniel Juma and Vincent Rapando from GPF Kenya among others.
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