Children gather for Oceans Conference |06 July 2018
Children delegates and their teachers from all over the world including Seychelles taking part in the 1st International Schools Debates being hosted by Seychelles, yesterday attended the Oceans Conference as part of these debates.
Since Tuesday the young delegates have been discussing issues relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 which is about oceans, highlighting the importance of oceans, identify threats facing them and most importantly they have come up with innovative and realistic solutions to address these threats.
“Although as children we are the ones to inherit the problems our parents have created, we are also the ones who have the power to change these things because we are the future. We know it is the duty of each and every one of us to preserve, protect and to sustainably use our ocean resources,” said Alvania Lawen, an eco-warrior and moderator at the conference.
“Today the conference will provide us with a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with our friends from around the world, to learn from each other to keep improving our effort to protect our oceans and marine resources,” she added.
Alain de Comarmond, the principal secretary in the department of environment launched the conference.
He congratulated the children for their active participation in the series of debates taking place here this week.
“I was very impressed with those of you who took part in the debates today (Thursday). The amount of effort you put into learning, researching about the topics and more importantly the passion with which the presentations were delivered was fabulous and for me it was a truly inspiring experience,” Mr de Comarmond pointed out.
He expressed his satisfaction to know that the future of our oceans is in good hands.
He called the children leaders of the present as they too can share their views and opinions with their leaders, politicians and policymakers right now.
“You can start to share what you know to create awareness right now and I always believe your voices and views are much more powerful than those of people like me so use this conference to do just that,” Mr de Comarmond told the children.
The conference comprised video presentations on efforts to clean up Aldabra, the Seychelles blue economy concept, a role play by the blue economy internship programme, panel discussions featuring leading marine experts and outstanding student debaters.
A workshop for environment teachers to boost their knowledge and skills to teach marine environment issues was also on the programme.