Building capacity for managing hazardous chemicals and wastes

Last week on mission to Bonn, Germany, I met with Dr. Jakob Rhyner, the Vice-Rector of the United Nations University (UNU). It was interesting to note that the UNU’s attention to chemicals and waste issues needs further support. Without capacity building and awareness raising, countries cannot effectively address the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes. For example, risk assessments for potential chemical dangers require trained professionals and well-staffed government institutions to come up with solutions. The BRS Secretariat last year trained more than 1000 candidates from all over the world through its webinar programme. Awareness raising and capacity building should also start in our schools. It is never too late to teach our children about recycling, dangerous chemicals and wastes and how much we can do as individual citizens. Why not join one of our webinars or tell us about your efforts to raise awareness of harmful chemicals and waste issues?