Empowering the youth for environmental change: |11 November 2023
IOYEC 2023 unites Indian Ocean activists
The Indian Ocean Youth Ecological Council (IOYEC) will resonate in Seychelles from tomorrow until November 18, 2023, bringing together young activists, environmental enthusiasts, and passionate leaders from across the Indian Ocean region.
Organised by Droits Humains Océan Indien (DIS-MOI), the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps), the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and the United Nations, this event aims to create a platform for empowering the youth to address pressing ecological challenges.
Albert Duncan, chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), expressed his enthusiasm: “The IOYEC is more than just a summit; it's a platform for change. It unites 70 dedicated ecological activists, all driven by a common purpose: protecting and preserving our environment.”
Ny Onja Hon Fat, director at DIS-MOI’s regional secretariat, explained that the primary goal is to empower young leaders to be at the forefront of ecological sustainability, fostering environmental awareness and promoting meaningful change.
“Participants at the IOYEC will engage in a series of activities, workshops, and collaborative initiatives that will equip them with the knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing ecological challenges facing the Indian Ocean region. These young leaders will also explore the critical connection between human rights and environmental rights and work on a manifesto to present to their governments on Human Rights Day in December. They are all eager to learn from the Seychelles, a model in terms of ecological progress in the Indian Ocean,” said Ny Onja Hon Fat.
Participants coming from Reunion, Mayotte, Mauritius, Rodrigues and Madagascar will also be accompanied by Alain Auriant from Mauritius, human rights activists and artist, well-known for his human rights songs and winner of the prestigious Kora Awards. Representatives of youth and environmental organisations in Seychelles have also registered as participants.
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