On behalf of the youth of Seychelles…
Characteristic of small island developing states has always been limited resources: limited
land mass, limited natural resources or that is what we thought but now it is clear ‘larepons ti
avek nu” - the answer was with us. With only 452 kilometre square of land to 1.4 million
kilometre square for our Exclusive economic zone. The EEZ is the size of France. The
opportunities seem endless.
We still have a few thoughts to share with you from the youth of Seychelles:
In August 2014 young people gathered together to discuss and draft an outcome document
which is today the ‘Maison de Queau de Quincy’ outcome document where youth voices were
concretised. Discussing a sustainable future could not ignore the issue of the blue economy.
Young people want the blue economy to be explored in its entirety to include fisheries, marine
biodiversity, land reclamation and tourism to name a few so we are pleased to see that indeed
all stakeholders are invited here today, including the youths. We believe that forming
partnerships could assist us with achieving the best way forward: working with experts,
creating new laws and proper enforcement to ensure our oceans are protected and working
with the private sector to start sustainable business models. We welcome international
agreements to implement our dreams for the blue economy but at all times catering for the
specificities of our home. We, the youth, are prepared to give our time and energy to creating
awareness about the blue economy and welcome training opportunities to become an
empowered labour force and of course those of us who want to help on a voluntary basis.
Here are a few messages and thoughts from the younger generation:
Do not be side tracked by the thought of a quick profit. Let the future of the children and youth
act as the conscience of your discussions. Every time it comes to mind to use all the resources
today think of our tomorrow. Think of your children and your grandchildren enjoying the fruits
of our ocean just as much as you do. Simple things like staring out at crystal waters, expecting
to swim in clear blue seas and expecting it to provide food for our daily meals. Things we
simply take for granted of our ocean but we want it to be there for generations to come. So let
the development of the blue economy be a sustainable one. Make decisions and take actions
for you and future generations.
Let us also remember we do not need to use and abuse. We can profit through conservation.
Marine parks help us use resources without using all of them up.
We are happy that we have been invited as a stakeholder and partner to this consultation
because young people automatically inherit the decisions made today. We want to be part of
the discussions. We want to be a key partner in the way forward. We are already playing our
part. Young people of the defence forces defending the country’s asset, young
conservationists and researchers who have followed their passion for a career with the ocean
and our young fishermen, divers and surfers who understand the ocean and marine
biodiversity more than those who spend more time on land. The SIDS Youth AIMS Hub is a
youth-led NGO, I work with, operating in small island developing states in the Atlantic, Indian
ocean and Mediterranean and south china seas. In the Seychelles we have a designated ‘blue
economy’ dossier. Volunteers are taking time to inspire young people to take up the
opportunities available, to conserve and most importantly sustainably develop.
As the generation of technology we could not help but put a short video together to capture
the youth perspective of the blue economy.
In the words of Sylvia Earle, there is not green without blue. So we are here together ready to
create the road map for a concept that belongs to us all.