On 17 November, UNEP together with the National Environmental Protection Agency in Afghanistan (NEPA), launched a training course on Strengthening Processional Environmental Advocacy and Knowledge (SPEAK). This course's purpose is to build the capacity of NEPA staff to effectively capture, develop and communicate environmental knowledge to promote productive communication and practical action in global, regional and local contexts.

This high profile course contains six modules, including Environmental professional skills, Environmental Governance an Institutions, Natural Heritage Protection, Pollution control and Environmental Assessment, Policies, Institutions and Environmental Change, Environmental Information, Advocacy and Outreach and a practical project.

The SPEAK programme is part of UNEP broader work in Afghanistan, which aims to foster environmental awareness and stewardship through dialogue and practical capacity building. In Afghanistan, UNEP is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Department for International Development (DFID), European Commission, the Ministry of Environment of Estonia, and UNESCO.

More information: andrew.scanlon@unep.org