I work for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the Regional Information Officer for Asia and the Pacific. I am stationed in the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand, where I develop, coordinate and implement strategies to raise awareness of major environmental issues in the region. My career with the United Nations has been a unique experience; inherently multicultural, diverse and enormously rewarding. It’s not just a job, it is a career.

I was a journalist because, by nature, I am curious and interested in people. After many years as a reporter in Singapore, Canada and Cambodia, I was given an opportunity to find out how staff at the United Nations went about their work. I embarked on a short-term assignment with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia. There I witnessed the UNDP supporting people and communities affected by landmines. I saw that the United Nations was doing vital work that needed to be shouted to the world. So I applied to come on board with the Organization, and have never looked back.

At the United Nations I get to use my natural skills as a communicator to serve a cause bigger than myself. In particular, I am passionate about raising environmental awareness amongst young people. It is exciting to see youth embrace sustainable living and begin to lead their own green initiatives. For example, in 2008 my team coordinated efforts with Nickelodeon TV in Asia to launch ‘The Big Green Help’ campaign, an awareness drive that empowers Asian children to tackle climate change. Through our private sector partnership we have been able to reach more than 500 million households with the message of conservation and sustainable living.

Another way we have reached out to young people is through creating networking events. I regularly organise regional youth meetings that bring together young leaders from across Asia to discuss ways to mobilise their communities around environmental issues. It is inspiring to see young people share their ideas, passions and experiences. Communicating and engaging with children and young people is critical if we want to produce informed leaders for tomorrow, and helping to do this has been a constantly satisfying experience. I am honoured to play a part in protecting the environment by raising awareness about it in schools, communities, in businesses and in the media as a United Nations Information Officer.