How arts group used lockers, chairs to drive environment conservation message at UNEA-6

Student lockers and chairs sitting atop each other in a curve welcome you to the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) meeting at the UNEP offices in Gigiri, Nairobi.

Outside the curve, there are various trees in vases.

Lincoln Mwangi, one of the Kairos Futura youth members attends to a group of fascinated onlookers who are here to inquire what the creatively arranged chairs are all about. There is an inviting message; ‘Get your seat at the table.’

 He explains the arrangement of chairs relates to the discussion on environment conservation, pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss ongoing at the UNEA-6, but in an artistic way. 

“We have put lockers and chairs in a creative way to look like a plenary room. The seats arranged in a curved design gives an opportunity to everyone to come, sit around the table and contribute ideas that can help restore planet earth,” Mwangi explains.

“Remember,” he continues, “the theme for UNEA-6 is Effective, Inclusive, and Sustainable Multilateral Actions to Tackle Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution.”

He explains to his visitors, “Much of the dialogues taking place here, aims at safeguarding the future generation. We used lockers because everybody can relate with learners whether in Uganda, Tanzania or anywhere in the world. We want the discussions to bring us together and at the same level.”

Among the things the group educate the community are proper disposal of waste management, behaviour change and saving the environment.

“We combine art and environment and do advocacy to the community on Climate issues. We have collaborated with scientists to design creative work which is futuristic. We work together with children, youth and other artists in the community,” Mwangi said.

The group has also partnered with other artists like Wajukuu Arts collectives from Mukuru involved in collecting garbage, cleaning rivers and planting trees.

“My group has designed pots that can sieve the contaminated water which at the end is used to water trees along the river when it is dry season,” he says.

During the Youth Environment Assembly held on February 18 at UNEP Headquarters just before UNEA-6 kicked off, the Assembly gave youth the necessary tools to understand the processes and negotiations of UNEA and take action to tackle major global challenges.

UNEP Executive Director in her opening remarks, highlighted the role of youth in collaborating with other stakeholders for a common purpose in environment conservation.

“The power to change lies with us. With you. With the members of this Assembly, the governments they represent and all who make up the wider UNEA and UNEP family Multilateral Environmental Agreements to scientists, from civil society to youth, from Indigenous Peoples to the businesses and financiers who know they must do things differently,” Inger explained at the time.