TUNZA Vol. 8.1: Avatar: Reaching The Heart (The Biodiversity Issue!)

Tunza Vol. 8.1: Avatar: Reaching The Heart
“We should not be afraid to fight for what we believe is right”

The previous issue of TUNZA had a portion of it dedicated to biodiversity issues, but this issue is the real deal. With a great cover and great content, it's a definitely must read. Well at least for the biodiversity geeks.

Karen Eng, staff editor of Tunza magazine, one day wrote a facebook message to her regular contributors and ask what we think about Avatar and how it relates to our environment. Having seen the movie which left me quite a deep impression, I wrote my thoughts about it and sent to her (which I apparently forgot all about it, till she reminded me that I wrote something else for her after the turtle article).

TUNZA Article - International Year of Biodiversity

Tunza Vol.7 No.3: Tunza 2009 Youth Conferences
What we want from Copenhagen

2010 - International Year of Biodiversity

The year 2010 has been officially declared as the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. Do join in the celebration for the International Year of Biodiversity on facebook. There is also another facebook page for celebrating Singapore's rich biodiversity, where you can find constant updates of news and articles of our natural heritage.

In preparation for the year, Karen Eng, staff editor of Tunza magazine called out for biodiversity-related articles. Previously I've written for Karen about Earth Hour back in 2008 and so with the call for articles, I once again wrote for her, making use of the recent sea turtle project - Project Orion.

Youth Expedition Project Publicity Video

This video was created together with YEP Journal Vol 1 for the corporate sector event in 2007. I was asked to assist in the filming, and I was asked to do quite a lot of funny things. And the result, even more interesting! Watch it and you will understand. I'm still a little weirded out by the video till today whenever they show it during YEP events.

Please note that the video is all right reserved by the Youth Expedition Project, National Youth Council, Singapore.

Rovers out with Team Seagrass!

28th March 2010

Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, Singapore

I've been with Team Seagrass (TSG) since it started 3 years ago. Team Seagrass is part of the Seagrass Watch, an international organisation based in Australia. It was formed in 1998 and is the largest scientific, non-destructive, seagrass assessment and monitoring program in the world. 

I was speaking to a dear friend of mine, Ria Tan, who has been supporting TSG since it's formation stage, about the possibility of getting Rover Scouts involved. She was more than glad to allow them in (But of course they have to go through the standard interview process. Haha..). In fact, this is not the first time Ria has been roped into my evil splendid scheme of getting Scouts to invade appreciate Mother Nature. I've a feeling that whenever she sees my name appearing on her mobile when there is a text message or call or even through emails, she knows that I'm up to no good. Hahaha...

Earth Hour Singapore 2010

27th March 2010

Esplanade Park, Singapore

As the story told in another post of mine, I got Scouts involved in Earth Hour somehow. This year once again, I received a call from Carine Seror (Director, Corporate Responsibility & Earth Hour Project Manager, WWF Singapore) and asked whether are we interested in the partnership again. I didn't even hesitate and said, "Hell yea!" (well... not really but I did say yes.). And that's how the Singapore Scout Association became a supporting partner of Earth Hour Singapore for the second year running since Singapore officially observed Earth Hour in 2009.

Ups and Downs of Life

15th March 2010 to 18th March 2010

Manila, Philippines

Well, it's about time. Many of you wouldn't have known about this trip as I have only told a few. Secretly went in and out of Singapore for that few days.

Some time back, the Asia-Pacific Regional (APR) Scout Office in Manila opened up a position for a Development Support Officer. The position consists of a dual scope - regional role of assisting with the development of regional National Scout Organisations (NSOs) and international role of overseeing the environmental programme globally (which was decentralised from Geneva's main office). I got to know about the job through Syd Castillo, Rod Abson (who previously was the unit manager for the environmental programme) and a few others. With their encouragement, I eventually applied for the job and to my surprise I got short-listed. This was why I made the trip to Philippines for the interview.