Capacity Building Marketplace

On Thursday the 5th July 2018, the UNCCD Secretariat, represented by its Capacity Building Marketplace (CBM) hosted students from the University of Bonn, completing the Masters in Agricultural and Food Economics (AFECO). During this visit the students and their accompany Professor, Jan Börner were exposed to a three and half intense and inspiring session of formal presentations, and informal talks and conversations on many subjects, ranging  from the role of youth in the UNCCD process, to the importance of land in achieving the Sustainable Developments Goals. They also met with several officials of the UNCCD working in various fields from top management, all the way to young people of their ages doing internships at the Secretariat.

The Capacity Building Marketplace (CBM) of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held a tremendous activity on 15th of June 2018 at St. Georges International School of Cologne, Germany in celebration of World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), which is actually commemorated on 17 June every year.    

The Capacity Building Marketplace (CBM) presented the UNCCD Secretariat's exposition at the recently concluded Subsidiary Bodies Session 48 (SB48) of the United Nations Climate Change (UNCC) held at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany, from 30th of April to the 4th of May. The CBM team shared with visitors to our stand information on the importance of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) as part of efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change worldwide; and on the great opportunities and possibilities offered on the CBM, specifically concerning addressing climate change. The team consisted of Dimitrios Karatassios (Greece), Philip Kendekka Sinyan (The Gambia), Raluca Ionita (Romania) and Daniel Gonzalez Carmena (Spain). The exposition depicted inter alia: The link between the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 15.3 (Land Degradation Neutrality) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations; The undeniable connection between land-related issues which the UNCCD tries to tackle and matters of climate change; The platform of the Marketplace and its main on-going exercises, showing that it is a tool that can be used by anybody interested in matters of land and sustainable land management. Visitors were able to obtain various publications, both physically and digitally. The team made sure the stand was very interactive through inter alia assisting visitors with navigating the official UNCCD website and showing several videos about concrete initiatives and actions taken by the Convention. Many attendees of the Conference expressed their interest in the topics and promotional materials, and their disposition to collaborate with the Convention as a whole and more specifically the CBM through the establishment of partnerships for action.

The Capacity Building Marketplace (CBM) was one of the main highlights of the UNCCD’s stand at the just concluded Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development held last week at the Bonn World Conference Center. Here the CBM team shared with participants of the festival information of the great opportunities and possibilities offered on the Marketplace; invited the young visitors to become involved in the sustainable development process; and explained the importance of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality to the realization of the SDGs in general.

The UNCCD Capacity Building Marketplace congratulates the Winners and thanks all the participants for their valuable contribution in making this competition a grand success ! Thank you for Voting !!! As per the public voting, we have 2 winners in each category. Category - "Projects, Actions and Activities" (for actions and achievements, as well as new and innovative ideas and projects) First prize winner: Mr. David Alonso Mesa Montaña for the video "Terrazas para la Vida" Mi recorrido en los temas ambientales empezó desde mis años en el colegio, en ríos y páramos de las montañas de los Andes, en Colombia, y mas adelante con mis estudios en ingeniería y una maestría en sostenibilidad global, donde investigué parte de los impactos socio-ambientales de algunas industrias extractivas en Boyacá, Colombia. Ahora, quiero continuar con el arte audiovisual para mostrar el patrimonio natural y los servicios ecosistémicos de la región, para buscar su protección.   Agradezco a Agrosolidaria Colombia, por permitirnos participar en la construcción de terrazas de cultivo, para apoyar la Agricultura Familiar Campesina y a la UNCCD por fomentar el desarrollo de las artes audiovisuales, para documentar los esfuerzos que se realizan a nivel internacional, en la prevención de la desertificación. Second prize winner: Mr. Davou William Gilbert for the video  "Gyero Tree Planting Project" Driven by the desire to see a sustainable, cleaner environment, Davou Williams recreates his vision through graphic designs for his community and the world to see and embrace. Davou is a graduate of Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Jos, Plateau State Nigera. And the Communication officer of Centre for Earth Works (CFEW). Category -  "Awareness Raising" (to sensitize people and raise public awareness on environmental issues) First prize winner: Mr. Ghaamid Abdulbasat for the video "We are in Need of Nature" I've been so motivated regarding the environmental issues going on all over the world and so brought me to the Movement(To combat desertification) especially the issue of Climate Change and its effects, which obviously so many people all over the world are not aware of. I wish one day people will get a clear understanding on the issue of Climate change and desertification and  ways to combat it for the current and the future generation as well. Second prize winner: Ms. Joy Ogoma Abraham & Mr. Kenneth Mek  for the  video "World water day CMP" Joy Ogoma Abraham is a multi-talented lady who combines her long years of experience as a mathematician  and writer to advocate in the course of environmental challenge for a greener world. Passion drove her into participation in the enlightenment of over 200 teenagers and the planting of trees across Plateau State-Nigeria, on the platform of 'Centre for Earth Works' (CFEW). Kenneth Mek is a graduate of mass communication from the Amadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. He loves travelling and exploring nature. Hiking happens to be one of the most outstanding ways he connects with nature. Access to Water, sanitation and hygiene has been a major societal challenge. Over 57 million people in Nigeria do not have access to safe water. I envision a clean and healthy environment where young people sustainably achieve their full potential, this led to his involvement with 'Centre for earth Works' (CFEW), a youth led organization passionate about securing the earth.