On the 6th of May, Conservation International in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment co-hosted its first ever international Youth Exchange Forum titled “Heritage Guardians – Youth Voices in Conservation,” with the theme of “embracing heritage and resilience.” The forum built upon and catalyzed youth programming and empowerment across the Asia-Pacific region.

The youth exchange forum highlighted the remarkable Guardians Experiential Environmental Education Program, launched in 2018, which has become a flagship initiative for Conservation International in Samoa. Additionally, the Exchange served as a vital platform for sharing successes, ideas, and lessons learned in youth programmes across the Asia-Pacific and the wider Conservation International community. Participants came from Aotearoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Palau, Samoa, Singapore and the United States.

Reverend Bismark Tamati blessed the gathering and encouraged the youth to not be afraid, to be bold and make their voices heard as the future is theirs.

Ms. Mere Lakeba, Senior Director for Conservation International Fiji, expressed, “We are here today to listen and learn from youths sharing their experiences, knowledge, and awareness regarding their work in their respective countries, whether through organizational projects or personal initiatives advocating for conservation or climate resilience actions in the hopes to improve how we can continue to support our young people.”

During the forum, speakers focused on key questions such as better engagement strategies, motivations for conservation and climate resilience involvement, barriers faced by young people, innovative approaches, inclusivity, diversity, and perceptions of environmental challenges.

“Youths are keepers or guardians of our Heritage, our Culture, and Tradition; their voices matter because they are the future. The Government of Samoa is committed to youth development and is investing in youth employment, making sure that opportunities are made available for young people in Samoa through the education system” Hon. Minister Toelesulusulu Pose Cedric Schuster. In conclusion, he challenged our young people to connect with our elders, caretakers of the traditional wisdom that continues to play a crucial part in sustainable development today.

The Youth Forum was made possible with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Conservation International Global Youth Exchange Program as well as our local partners.

About Conservation International

Conservation International is a non-government organization that works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides for humanity. The non-profit has worked in the Pacific Islands region for more than 20 years. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.