WWF-New Zealand and Save the Children New Zealand are calling for young Kiwis aged 16-30 to share their views on how to better protect our ocean and have their voices heard on the world stage.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a deep connection with the ocean and a long and rich history with the sea. Many of us live by the coast and Kiwis love to fish, boat, swim, dive or just spend time at the beach. The ocean holds deep cultural significance to Māori, who have a long history as kaitiaki (guardians) of te moana.
While our marine environment is an important part of our lives and national and cultural identities, it is facing many threats, with unsustainable fishing, plastic pollution and climate change pushing our marine species and habitats to the brink of extinction.
You’ll participate in four online workshops where you’ll meet other young ocean champions, build your networks in Aotearoa, and contribute ideas and solutions on the protection of our ocean.
Participants from the Oceania region may be selected to attend the global Ocean Citizen Summit, hosted at Nausicaá in Boulogne sur Mer, France in March 2025, where you will help to inspire, amplify, and accelerate youth action to protect our ocean.
Young Kiwis who are interested or involved in ocean issues will take part in four online workshops run by WWF-New Zealand and Save the Children New Zealand from October to December 2024.
Each workshop will be 90 minutes long and will cover the following topics:
● 7pm, 15 October 2024: Exploring humanity's relationship with the ocean, our connections to it, and the challenges it faces.
● 7pm, 5 November 2024: How we can protect and restore marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
● 7pm, 19 November 2024: Unlocking ocean-based solutions to climate change and tackling marine pollution from source to sea.
● 7pm, 10 December 2024: Developing a sustainable and equitable ocean economy that supports future generations.
If you’re interested in expanding your leadership skills, you’ll also have an opportunity to be involved in facilitating these workshops.
Participants from the Oceania region may also be selected to be among 60 young people from around the globe worldwide attending the Ocean Citizen Summit, hosted at Nausicaá in Boulogne sur Mer, France, in March 2025*.
At this summit you’ll have the chance to share the insights and solutions from the Pacific and have a role in the creation of a global Ocean Citizen Charter, which sets out youth-led solutions to the challenges facing our ocean. You’ll also be involved in the development of a digital app to engage people in ocean conservation and receive training in ocean advocacy and communications.
There are limited spaces, so don't miss this amazing opportunity to have your voice heard and be part of a global movement!
*Note: Anyone between 16-30 y.o. can participate in the workshops, but only participants 18+ are eligible for the travel opportunities.
We are calling for ocean enthusiasts and champions 16-30 y.o. from all over the world to participate in the Citizen of the Ocean Youth-led World Forum
The 24h for the Ocean transgenerational, youth-led workshops will be hosted online on all continents, including here in New Zealand. Participants will address the five most popular challenges selected by youth from the UN Ocean Decade Challenges.
As a result of the workshops, an Ocean Citizen Charter will be developed, which will include participants recommendations and priority actions or solutions to the Ocean Decade challenges. It will also be published on the website of the Youth4Ocean Forum.
In 2004, The Passport of the Citizen of the Ocean initiative was launched by aquariums, science centers and environmental organisations around the world to encourage action and commitment for the benefit of the world ocean. It contained a list of ocean facts and figures, and suggested simple actions that anyone was able to carry out to help protect our ocean.
Inspired by this initiative, there will be the development of an Ocean Citizen App, where solutions from the Ocean Citizen Charters and Ocean Citizen Summit will help provide content for the app. Users will be able to take part in a collective global effort to protect the ocean.
In 2025 ten to twenty most committed workshop and summit participants will be designated to attend international events, where they will host side events to promote the Ocean Citizen App and present the outcomes of the workshops and summit. They will also have the opportunity to advocate and engage with stakeholders.