Youth forum discusses sustainable future |28 April 2015

During two days key officials and experts on social, economic, environmental and cultural issues will address the youths on these issues which have great impact on society.

The aim is to prompt their understanding of the existing situation and get them involved so they can come up with a project to  promote sustainable development.

The symposium, being held under the theme ‘The Future We Want’, has brought together different stakeholders to discuss these important issues but keeping the youth as a key partner.

It is a crucial opportunity to ensure necessary actions are taken where required to support local and regional sustainable development efforts.

President James Michel, along with other distinguished guests and representatives of the Indian Ocean Commission and the EU, attended the opening session of the symposium at the international Conference Centre yesterday morning.

In remarks to declare open the symposium, the Minister for Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Jean-Paul Adam said it is another opportunity for the young people to share ideas as has been the case before.

He reminded everyone present that Seychelles has been in the forefront of global effort to raise awareness on the case of small island developing states (Sids).

“We have put the case of small islands developing states at the forefront of our foreign policy and at the forefront of our economic policy and it is the cornerstone of our cultural policy,” Minister Adam said.

He said Seychelles has been working side by side with its Indian Ocean coastal neighbours within the framework of such projects like ISLANDS programme of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) as well as the Western Indian Ocean Climate Change Coastal Challenge Initiative.

“We recognise and acknowledge the support being provided by the IOC and the European Union and the Inspired Generations Programme,” Minister Adam said.

“Sustainable development is not about what one country does alone but about how all countries work together to create the right framework. In Seychelles we are determined to do the best we can to ensure  we have the right framework but we are very conscious that a lot of the elements that are part of the framework are also being negotiated and debated elsewhere and this is why we have to make our voices heard at the highest level,” Minister Adam said.

Acknowledging President Michel’s presence at the symposium, Minister Adam said it is by taking part in such a symposium and joining young people to discuss these issues show how important it is to take these points from Seychelles and project them internationally.

Minister Adam noted that this year is important for international development as in July there will be the world conference on financing for development, in September a conference to finalise sustainable development goals and in December a conference to discuss a binding agreement on climate change  is expected at global level.

“All three of these agreements are important not only for Seychelles, not only for Sids but for all countries,” he said.
The symposium, the first of its kind, is a collaboration of different partners with the Sids Youth AIMS HUB (SYAH) being the initial partner for the youths for sustainable development.

“Seychelles as a small island developing state which depends on its lush environment understands sustainable development which is about achieving the right balance,” Maria Finesse, the president of the SYAH told everyone present. She said during the two days the youths and the stakeholders will discuss
the future we want – how do we want to see Seychelles in the years to come, the kind of future we want for our families and friends, for our islands.

‘’Young people, we have time to make the future we want but we have to act now,” Ms Finesse called on the youths.

She reminded everyone that sustainable development cannot be separated from climate change and we should not sit back and allow our islands to be swept away.
 We must act now and this symposium which is a platform where all the four pillars of society namely social, economic, environmental and cultural will be discussed at length, is expected to further educate all stakeholders.

She pointed out that young people should share their vision of the future and continue to promote the protection of the environment.
Apart from different presentations including videos, panel discussions, the youths will also go to town to see the different sustainable development projects.