With my sincere apology for being away from my Tunza family for a while, I am much happy to share that I am back with much energy and accelerated passion. Needless to say, I have series of reports and articles to share with you. First one, I would like to start with my entirely personal experience from selection to back home, memorable journey of COP21.

Back in early September,2015 I got an email from CliMates (International think and do tank for students and young professionals) about my selection as an international delegation for blue zone in 21st session of United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21). Undoubtedly, it was more than a dream for me to receive accreditation in most awaited COP21 but I couldn't share it loud as funding was a bit uncertain and visa permit for Schengen countries is a bit strict in Nepal. Fortunately, I got funding for my travel, couch- surfing for my stay and visa acceptance. What seemed to be dream came true and I set out for COP21 with enormous curiosity, determination and excitement.

COP21 took place from 30th November- 12th December, 2015 at Le- Bourget, Paris France. Free shuttle was arranged for reaching the venue from nearest metro stations. The shuttle and vehicle used for entire purpose was either hybrid or 100 percent electric. Away from the hustle bustle city, the grand exhibition centre was distinctly separated into two spaces i.e. Green Zone (Climate Generation Space) and Blue Zone (accessible only to the accredited personalities). Both the zones were set up keeping in mind the sustainability aspect. The interior attractive wooden structure, decorative materials, reusable cups for drinking water/coffee, waste segregating bins etc. all were eco- friendly and well managed so as to minimize waste generation. As I had accreditation only for the second week, my first week was well spent in the Green zone and busy second week in the blue zone.

Green Zone (Climate Generation Space) remained open to public from 1st- 11th December between    The jubilant atmospheres inside felt like a climate change festival. Workshops, booths of different organizations, information sharing, networking space etc. added synergistic charm to the venue. Be it Energy juice bar (where you can enjoy juice for free by pedaling a cycle), indigenous people pavilion or large TV screens for webcasting the negotiations inside blue zone, everything was focused on disseminating information and building solidarity for climate action.

Somehow different, blue zone was full of curiosity and skeptical as high level negotiations and interventions were ongoing each day with debates on different topics. As an observer I was busy tracking the negotiations and attending side events, meetings/discussions of different international organizations and networks like Climate Action Network (CAN) and YOUNGO.

Apart from the scheduled workshops/interventions and negotiations I can't miss to debrief about the different mobilization activities by youth networks. Face paint for zero net emissions by 2050, climate justice song reiteration, simulations, banner displays etc. all clearly demonstrated the concern of civil societies and youths towards just climate agreement.

In a nutshell, my two weeks at COP21 passed in no time. It was a fortunate platform for me to learn a lot more and broaden my horizon of understanding about climate change and real negotiation process. I got chance to network in green multicultural atmosphere full with youthful positive hope for sustainable earth and livable eco-system.

(This was just a brief description about my personal experience at COP21. I would be sharing series of articles both technical and non- technical in coming days regarding COP21 and my involvement.)