Bayer Young Environmental Envoy 2012

Hey guys

I hope everyone is doing good :) Today I want to share something that is really familiar to me, and have brought me so many new opportunities. This is the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy program, a competition hosted by Bayer and the United Nations Environment Programme since 1998, beginning in Thailand. This year marks the eight year (if I'm not mistaken >.< ) since Malaysia was first introduced and I was lucky enough to be part of the program a couple years back.

The Bayer Young Environmental Envoy 2012. Click the photo for details :)

So during my year, the organizers introduced a new concept to the competition, which was project implementation. Before the year 2010, envoys need only to present a project proposal to the judges to be selected as a grand prize winner. However when it came to my year, me and my envoy friends had to physically implement the projects we proposed, which earned us the envoy titles in the first round.

From my experience, the selection process begins with an essay submission with an introduction of the project you plan on carrying out. If your essay is chosen, you will be called for a first interview. This interview determines whether you make it as the 7 who will be competing for the Grand Prize Winner title. Once you make it to the top 7, you will continue on to the Eco-Camp. This is when you start getting to know the other envoys and also enjoy the activities in store for you. During my year, we were sent to Bintulu, Sarawak and we were lucky enough to experience walking through Gua Niah, one of the oldest and largest caves in the world. Also during the Eco-Camp, you will have a session with the facilitators and motivators who will advise you on your future project.

Pictures from the Eco Camp

From left to right: Farhana, me, Alan, Doria, Aaron, Calista, Hanitha, Jerry, Siao Meng and Lisa <3

Once the camp is over, its time for the serious stuff. You will be given a certain period of time to carry out your project, be it on campus or your local neighbourhood. There will be a final judging process afterwards, which is also during the time you present the results of your project. I can't say for sure who your judges will be, but they will probably be made up of representatives from 1) a government body, 2) the German embassy, 3) UNEP Malaysia, 4) an environment-related body (private sector) and 5) a celebrity judge. All the judges are from senior positions, so for me it was really intimidating to have to see them alone! A reminder; speak clearly, explain the important points of your project and just be yourself.. The judges will also want to see what kind of character you possess and what kind of person you are i.e. open minded, creative, ambitious and so on. This is when they narrow down the envoys to two Grand Prize winners who will experience a study trip to Germany. Now you have reached the end of the torture process competition and all that's left to do is enjoy the award dinner and wait for the final results :)

South East Asian delegates <3

Remember that if you do make it as the final two winners, you will be going to Germany representing your university and the country so people will first know you as a Malaysian student, and nothing more. From then on, you are responsible to color their minds with your character, attitude...basically this is the time for you to shine and show the world the awesomeness in you!

Germany 2010 :)

Also, learn everything and anything you can from the trip itself. Learn everything from the sewers in Germany to why Germans need salt during all of their mealtimes. Learn from the other envoys you will meet from around the world. Learn about the forests in Argentina, or the use of persimmon trees in Thailand....... or how your vocabulary with Filipinos can be so similar, or why Brazilians kiss everyone they meet. Honestly, the experience you will have and the people you meet and the friends you make are just too awesome to put in words. So go ahead, go to the Bayer website and click on the form now. Start writing your essay (the deadline is on the 29th of February!) and take that chance. You will never know what the future has in store for you :)

xx
Haneesa