Development goes hand in hand with destruction, which can interfere with people, the environment or both. It is more destructive when it affects the community and the natural resources because for there to be sustainability, the three environment pillar, social pillar and economic pillar should be in balance. Conflict arises when people fight for limited resources, which can come about through development, and this can be solved through laws and policies.

I decided to do masters in Environment Governance after I read the book by Laureate Wangari Maathai, The challenge for Africa and realized the big role played by the environment, which unfortunately, is taken for granted. I realized that change started with me, and if I wanted a better future for the next generation, and to see Africa rise from its burden of gender inequality, poverty and disease, I needed to stand up and do something. Doing this masters course empowered me, and as Laureate Wangari Maathai said, you cannot enslave a mind that knows.

From there, I went to do internship at Integrated Global Environment Strategies in Japan, which is a policy research institute. I got a chance to be on a research team for UNEP green economy report for Burkina Faso where I gained research skills. I also contributed to the Japan 2050 low carbon navigator whose main aim is to reduce Japan 1990 carbon emission levels to twenty five percent or less. While in the process, I got an interest in green economy and green jobs concept which seeks to value the human life. Also, I learnt how communities and informal settlements are marginalized with regards to security of tenure when I joined Pamoja Trust. I joined the team that was working towards creating voice and space for the urban poor.

I am applying for position of community environmental legal officer in the Coastal region because I want to bridge the gap between law and policy formulation and implementation in the environment sector with regards to the marginalized communities. The constitution of Kenya talks about the environment protection and this is enforced in detail in the Environment, Management and Coordination act of Kenya. I would like to be part of the team that finds remedies for the communities to be able to live in harmony with the environment so that we can eliminate future conflict. I believe right governance and good policies, which are implemented well, are one of the key ingredients for sustainability. My goal is to ensure policies are implement.

Sincerely,

Andrea Kesay