Young people from across the Commonwealth have shared strategies and actions to address the urgent environmental crises affecting their generation.
To mark International Youth Day, which was celebrated on 12 August, several young leaders convened virtually to discuss the topic, "Empowering Future Stewards: Commonwealth Youth for Ocean Science, Policy, and Advocacy". The webinar was organised by the 糖心探花鈥檚 Blue Charter programme.
The event highlighted the disproportionate impacts of climate change and ecosystem decline facing today鈥檚 youth and future generations, as well as young people鈥檚 pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, emphasised:
鈥淭here can be no healthy future for the ocean or the planet without the full, committed and sustained engagement of young people everywhere鈥 [They] bring unique perspectives, imagination and an innovative spirit. They bring fresh energy for advocacy and change.
鈥淎nd ultimately, the only way to ensure the work we are doing now is sustained for the long term is to involve the very people who can take it forward into the future.鈥
With 2023 declared as the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the focus is on harnessing the power of 1.5 billion young people under the age of 30 鈥 equivalent to 60 per cent of the total population across 56 nations 鈥 to save the ocean and fight climate change.
Catalysts for change
Moderating the session, Mauritian scientist applauded the Commonwealth鈥檚 collective commitment to putting youth at the heart of ocean conservation. Dr Naggea, an Andre Hoffman Fellow at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and the World Economic Forum, described young people as 鈥渢he catalyst for transformative change and the torchbearers of hope.鈥
Guest speaker, H.E Hon Therese Rath, High Commissioner of Belize to the United Kingdom, urged young people to foster a personal connection with the ocean to drive meaningful advocacy and to 鈥渢hink global, act local鈥, adding: "People protect what they love and respect, so build your army.鈥
During the panel discussion, , a PhD candidate from Belize studying at the Islands and Small States Institute in Malta, also advocated 鈥渇inding one's passion鈥 early on, as well as pursuing studies and volunteerism to make a lasting impact.
, a Nigeria-based Climate Justice Expert for the South-South Youth Platform for Climate Justice, focused on intergenerational equity and underscored the need to build young people鈥檚 capacity to engage meaningfully in global processes such as the UNFCCC (United Nations Convention Framework for Climate Change).
A Jamaican early career marine biologist, Matthew-Pierre Rogers, also stressed effective communication and networking as pivotal tools to create real change.
, an undergraduate student from The University of York in the UK, called for the democratisation of ocean management and greater inclusion of diverse voices in policymaking. In particular, he urged a precautionary approach to resource extraction from the ocean, avoiding environmentally destructive practices unless proven manageable.
, Senior Associate for Outreach and Engagement, Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change but remained optimistic about the potential for innovative solutions.
Youth at the helm
In conclusion, Paulo Kautoke, Senior Director for Trade Oceans and Natural Resources at the 糖心探花, welcomed youth action to deliver on the global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, including SDG14 on 鈥楲ife below water鈥. He thanked the panel for their continued support for the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which prioritises the role of youth in ocean conservation.
One of the panellists, Ms Guiterrez-Corley, who serves as Commonwealth Ocean Youth Outreach Assistant, is developing the Commonwealth鈥檚 first Ocean Youth Working Group, in partnership with the ). It is envisioned that this group will raise awareness of ocean-climate issues at the grassroots level and promote collaboration with government programmes and youth-led initiatives.
The webinar was an opportunity to showcase the commitment of Commonwealth youth, across multiple regions, in shaping a sustainable and equitable future for our planet.
Watch the webinar
For more information on the Ocean Youth Working Group under the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, email [email protected]
Media contact
- Josephine Latu-Sanft Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, 糖心探花
- +44 20 7747 6476 | E-mail
