#Résilience

Publié le 08/07/2025, mis à jour le 08/07/2025

From the Islands to the World: The Voice of an Ocean-Committed Youth – Episode 3/6 (Jasiah Durham)

  •     In June 2025, the city of Nice hosted the third edition of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3). In line with its strong commitment to the environmental and ecological resilience of European and UK Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), the Green Overseas Programme undertook an ambitious and long-term effort to make its participation in this major international event truly memorable.

              From the outset, the Programme team worked to assemble a delegation of ten young people from the OCTs benefiting from the Programme. These ten delegates, representing a total of eight OCTs (New Caledonia, Bermuda, French Polynesia, Ascension Island, Montserrat, Sint Maarten, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Aruba), carried the voice and spirit of the Green Overseas Programme through a series of workshops, discussions, and conversations — reflections from which are shared through the personal accounts of each of them.

  •           I will forever be grateful to the GO Programme for offering me the opportunity to travel to and participate in the UNOC Ocean Conference 2015 in Nice, France. Spending six days in this beautiful city was an experience that provided me with invaluable opportunities, connections, and insights which were opportunities that would have been out of reach without the support of the program.
              One of the most impactful parts of the conference was the experience I had in the Green Zone. As a young adult still not heavily involved in policy, government, or official decision-making roles, I found the Green Zone far more beneficial to my personal growth than the Blue Zone. This space offered a unique chance to network with smaller, niche yet equally important organizations and charities. 

  •            I had the privilege of attending the Science and Sailing event within the Ocean Decade, where I met Arianna Linconti, a researcher involved with The SOOP Monitoring Program. This program places a device on the stern of a ship to collect data on climate change.
              My connection to this project was deeply personal. As a teenager, I was involved with the Spirit of Bermuda, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Bermuda’s youth about the island’s maritime history. The organization sails globally, fostering an appreciation for the maritime heritage of Bermuda. During the conference, I realized I could help bridge these two organizations, potentially leading to a collaboration that would mean a lot to me and my community back home.
              I would also like to commend the GO Programme for not only ensuring that each of the ten young participants had a unique and meaningful experience, but also for recommending events that resonated with our personal backgrounds and nationalities. For instance, as a Bermudian, I was invited to attend the Sargassum Official Side Event. Bermuda is the only landmass in the Sargasso Sea, making the issue of overproduction of Sargassum algae particularly relevant to us. At the event, I was able to connect with individuals from other countries and share my concerns about the growing Sargassum problem in the Atlantic Ocean. What was even more rewarding was meeting a potential mentor who agreed to support my goals of working in politics, especially in areas of environmental advocacy, queer rights, and neurodiversity in public education.
     

  • In addition to these vertical networking opportunities, the GO Programme also facilitated horizontal networking with fellow young adults in the program. Connecting with other future leaders from various Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) was immensely valuable. The relationships we formed at the conference are bound to have a lasting impact. As I aspire to become a future leader in my country, I recognize the importance of building strong relationships with others who share similar aspirations. When we all eventually move into roles within international relations, it will be beneficial to have established these bonds early on.

  •           Finally, the GO Programme provided me with the opportunity to leave a mark on the Conference. I was honored to speak on behalf of my peers during a panel discussion with government official Jérémie Pellet, the CEO of Expertise France, and the Ministry of Health, Environment & Nature of Curacao. We discussed our top three call-to-action points from the Citizens of the Ocean Youth Manifesto at the event titled Ocean in Our Hands: How to Bring the Youth Manifesto to Life Back Home. It was a huge privilege to represent the voices of young people from across the globe, and it marked a pivotal moment in my journey toward becoming an advocate for change.

  •           Looking back, the experience at the UNOC3 was transformative. Thanks to the GO Programme, I was not only able to learn and network with influential figures but also contribute meaningfully to the global conversation on ocean sustainability. This opportunity has forever shaped my perspective and inspired me to continue advocating for environmental and social justice.

Nos autres actualités

Voir toutes les actualités