The youths from SIDS with Prof. Simon Borg (back, 3rd from left), the Hon. Carmelo Abela and the Hon. Jose Herrera
Eight youths from Small Island States (SIDS), chosen as Young Ambassadors for Climate Change and Oceans on board the vessel Peaceboat, visited the University of Malta (UM) on Friday 24 May to meet student representatives led by KSU, policy makers from the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, the NGO Nature Trust and members of the International Ocean Institute and academics of the University of Malta Climate Action Platform for an interactive sessions covering on various aspects of climate and ocean governance best practice. The visit of the Young Ambassadors to Malta was co-ordinated by Prof. Simone Borg, Head of the Department of Environmental & Resources Law at UM and as Chair of the Climate Action Board.
The youths, from SIDS, are travelling onboard Peace Boat to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and healthy oceans. The Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme, this year, began on 24 May in Malta. These young leaders from the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, who are active on issues related to climate change and ocean degradation, are travelling from Valletta to New York City in the US with stops and activities in Granada (Spain), Tangiers (Morocco) and Ponta Delgada (Portugal). The programme will conclude in New York City where Peace Boat鈥檚 vessel will dock in Manhattan during World Oceans Day and activities will be organised in collaboration with United Nations partners as part of the official UN programme for that day. The programme is part of Peace Boat鈥檚 commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its partnership with the United Nations SDG Action Campaign.
During their visit at UM, Prof. Simone Borg welcomed the group in the Arvid Pardo Space at the UM Msida Campus. A half-day workshop, with presentations from UM academics and interactive sessions, took place in the Council Room at UM where the young ambassadors were addressed by Rector Prof. Alfred. J. Vella. Students from the University of Malta participated during this event. The presentations and interactive sessions covered various aspects of climate and ocean governance best practice, ocean and climate literacy, marine litter, climate ocean nexus, awareness building among children and the youth.
Later on that day, the Peace Boat delegation, accompanied by Prof. Simone Borg, had a meeting with the President of Malta H.E. George Vella, at the Palace in Valletta.
Afterwards, together with representatives of the University of Malta and the International Ocean Institute, the youths visited parts of Valletta and then proceeded to Peace Boat, which was berthed in Barriera Wharf.
On board the ship the youths met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion the Hon. Carmelo Abela, Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change the Hon. Jose Herrera and the Minister for Education and Employment the Hon. Evarist Bartolo for an exchange of views and experiences.
Peace Boat鈥檚 Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassadors Programme, was first held in 2017, launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference and recognised by the COP23 Presidency Secretariat as an Endorsed Event of COP23. A second edition was held in 2018 which concluded at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations.
