Event Virtual
From Participation to Partnership: Strengthening Youth and Civil Society Roles in the Future Science-Policy Panel
This online event was organized with the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, in preparation of the resumed third session of the ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) on a Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution.
About this Event
As global negotiations advance to establish a new Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention, this webinar brought together youth, civil society actors, and key stakeholders to reflect on progress, showcase contributions, and shape inclusive pathways for engagement in the panel’s formation and long-term functioning. The webinar came at a crucial moment ahead of the resumed third session of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 3.2) in June 2025 in Uruguay, where decisions will shape the design and structure of this science-policy interface.
The Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) is an umbrella mechanism representing youth networks, organizations, and individuals committed to addressing today’s pressing environmental challenges. As the formal youth engagement mechanism to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), CYMG plays a critical role in advocating for the inclusion, empowerment, and meaningful participation of young people in global environmental governance and the environmental dimension of the sustainable development agenda.
Youth panelists speaking at this event provided:
- A recap of key outcomes from OEWG 3.1 and priorities for OEWG 3.2, from youth and civil society perspectives.
- Reflections from young professionals and early-career experts engaged in platforms including IPCC, IPBES, and GEO.
- Presentation of the CYMG proposals on youth inclusion and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- Dialogue on inclusive, intergenerational mechanisms to strengthen the panel’s impact and legitimacy.
Speakers
By order of intervention.
Gudi ALKEMADE
Chair, Bureau of the ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution
Tessa GOVERSE
Principal Coordinator, Secretariat of the ad hoc open-ended working group on a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution
Maria Aarre HÅNES
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Civil Society Unit, UNEP
Natalia MRÓWCZYŃSKA
Global Coordinator, Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG)
Olga SKAREDINA
Science-Policy Thematic Facilitator, Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG)
Camilla ALEXANDER-WHITE
Lead Policy Advisor, Royal Society of Chemistry & Facilitator of UNEP Science and Technology Major Group
Lynn JACOBS
Doctoral candidate at McGill University and Policy Advisor with Indigenous Leadership Initiative
Chinkie PELIÑO-GOLLE
Regional Coordinator for Southeast and East Asia, EcoWaste Coalition, IPEN & Regional Facilitator for Asia Pacific, UNEP MGS
Tarik ALKHARUS
PhD Candidate, Imperial College London & GEO-7 Fellow
Mulako KABISA
PhD Candidate, Global Change Institute – University of the Witwatersrand & IPCC PhD Fellow
Adla KAHRIĆ
Center for Marine and Freshwater Biology Sharklab ADRIA; National Focal Point of Bosnia and Herzegovina for UNCBD and IPBES
Enkhuun BYAMBADORJ
Member, Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Working Group, Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG) | Moderator