United Nations Radio

The UN Environment Programme Tuesday opened one of the world's largest international children's conferences in Stavanger, Norway.

The conference brings together 700 participants between the age of 10 and 14 who are engaged in environmental issues.

As part of the programme, UNEP - in partnership with UNICEF - is posting video clips on its website about initiatives undertaken by dozens of children around the world.

These include a 13-year-old in Australia who is making a documentary on climate change and a 13-year-old in Cameroon who is running clean-up campaigns and tree plantings.

The head of the UN Environment Programme Achim Steiner says "the 700 children attending the Tunza Conference are a powerful sign of the creativity, energy and dynamism that children are capable of to protect our planet."

He says "we can all learn from them, and we should all take heart in the fact that increasing numbers of children are becoming a force for positive change as we move towards greener lifestyles."

The participants will present their environmental projects, debate green issues, go on field trips and learn about energy, climate change and fair trade.

This is Donn Bobb for United Nations Radio.

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