TWELVE-YEAR-OLD school pals Nicola Stevens and Emma Simmons are virtual veterans when it comes to tackling environmental issues on a global scale.

When the two pupils from Cavendish School in Eastbourne attend the first day of the Millennium International's Children's Conference on Monday they will already have a head start on many of the delegates.

This will be Nicola and Emma's second such conference having attended the last international meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, two years ago.

Emma's interest in environmental issues began at an early age when she began saving unwanted glass and newspapers at the family home in King's Avenue, Eastbourne, and asked her parents to do the same.

She later became a "junior steeler" at school, encouraging fellow pupils not to throw away steel tins but collect them for

recycling instead. She is now in the process of setting up a similar scheme to collect aluminium drinks cans.

Emma said: "I'm really looking forward to the conference. I'm hoping to hear some excellent ideas and make new friends. We will all gain new enthusiasm to continue environmental projects."

Animals

Meanwhile Nicola has always had a keen interest in animals which has led her to write and illustrate 11 books on endangered species from gorillas to panda bears. All she needs now is a publisher.

Both Nicola and Emma will be members of the decision-making junior board, which has helped organise the three-day event being held at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.

Nicola of Cobbold Avenue, Eastbourne said: "I really enjoyed the last conference and I am

hoping this one will be

even better.

"When lots of children get together to

discuss their views on the environment it means ideas can spread.

"Children are more

likely to listen to other children. Getting the adults to listen may be a bit more difficult but in the future maybe we can make a

difference."

The conference will be attended by nearly 800 children aged between ten and 12 from a total of 111 countries. BBC Children's presenter Michael Underwood will compere the event, which will also be attended by Environment Minister Michael Meacher.

Delegates from Bermuda to Botswana will enjoy a packed agenda, covering a wide variety of issues. Many children will present their own reports on environmental projects from around the world.

Among those attending will be 12-year-old Aminata Turay from Sierra Leone, who will address the conference on the problems faced by wildlife in her war-torn country.

Delegates will also hear from a Japanese girl called Yuri Lijima who invented an environmentally-friendly refrigerator and is currently campaigning against the burning of rubbish in

her city.

Mornings will be spent discussing the three main themes: Sharing the Planet, Water is Life, and Living in Cities. Afternoons will be spent in workshops and study tours.

Charter

The conference will conclude with the writing of a Charter, which will summarise delegates' own commitments to action.

This Charter will be then delivered to heads of state, calling for them to listen

to the children's concerns about pollution, recycling, and sustaining water

supplies.

Two of the delegates, one from the UK and one from Kenya, are due to fly to Sweden at the end of the month to present their resolutions to environmental ministers from around the world at the Global Ministerial Environment Forum organised by the UN.

The original idea to hold a children's conference on the environment arose out of the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 and was taken up by a group of youngsters in the Eastbourne area.

With backing from the United Nations Environment Programme, the first International Children's Conference took place in Eastbourne in 1995 and was followed by a second conference in Kenya in 1998. Eastbourne Borough Council decided to bring the conference back to its home town for the millennium. The next one is due to be held in Japan.

Coun Mark Neeham, conference chairman, said: "This one is going to be even bigger than that held in 1995. All the discussions will be led by children. They will also present all the projects. Apart from the compere there will be no adult interference.

"All these kids have had to prove themselves before being chosen as a delegate and it's amazing to see the dedication they have to the environment. Many adults wouldn't fly half way round the world and speak to an audience of 800."

Coun Neeham, who serves as a Conservative borough councillor in Eastbourne, was keen to stress such gatherings did make a difference.

He said: "The two conferences held so far have had an impact. The junior board have presented their arguments to the United Nations and to international environmental meetings and Governments have had to listen.

He added: "It's also great publicity for Eastbourne to promote the town throughout the world and to show we are able to host an international conference such as this."

Awareness

Maurice Skilton, conference president and former chairman of East Sussex County Council, took up the theme: "These children will, in time, be politicians, leaders of environmental pressure groups and even Government ministers.

"The children will take away a greater awareness of environmental issues around the world and the desire to continue working to create a better place in which to live."

Since the first conference in 1995 there have been some very real achievements by some of the past delegates.

In South Africa, 12-year old Katlego Mojapelo planted 150 trees along the streets of her city and was invited by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to participate in The

Day of the African Child conference.

For the delegates attending this year's conference there is a keen anticipation and they are eager to get on with the work in hand.

Guy Kennison, 12, of Sparrows Green, near Wadhurst, is another junior board member whose particular environment interests lies in encouraging more people to use public transport and the development of solar power.

He said: "It's going to be amazing to have my say on how I think the environment is doing and what I think should be done."

Fellow board member Natalie Paris, 11, of Glenleigh Park, Bexhill, who attends King Offa School in the town, said: "I'm going to make a welcome speech to some of the delegates and I'm really looking forward to it."

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