Youth STEM 2030 @ Coastal Futures Ocean Recovery Conference
Themed this year on Ocean Recovery, the annual Coastal Futures Conference brings together government officials, marine experts, policy makers, and - in 2021 - members of Youth STEM 2030!
Youth STEM 2030 Founder & CEO Mhairi McCann and Youth STEM Matters Senior Science Communication Editor Éimear Stephenson will join an exciting line-up of speakers across the 3 day event. They’ve been invited to speak as part of a session on ‘Youth Voices for the Ocean - What can we learn from the next generation?’, alongside environmental campaigner Finlay Pringle.
The session, which is being coordinated by WWF-UK and Sky Ocean Rescue, has been co-designed with each of the speakers, allowing Mhairi, Éimear and Finlay to bring issues that young people care about to the fore. They join a total of 60+ conference speakers, and will share the virtual stage with representatives from the United Nations, Scottish Government, the Environment Agency, leading researchers, and prominent environmental organisations.
Mhairi’s talk will highlight young people making waves in STEM and challenge attendees to realise the untapped potential of youth as stakeholders in ocean recovery. Meanwhile, Éimear will be giving a platform to a range of issues including young people’s perceptions on ocean conservation, fossil fuels, plastic pollution, citizen science and especially importantly, intersectionality.
Over 350+ individuals from 140+ organisations are expected to attend the event from 19th-21st January, which is being organised by Coastal Futures, Restoring Estuarine and Coastal Habitats (REACH) & WWF-UK and Sky Ocean Rescue.
On the opportunity to speak at the conference, Éimear said:
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak at this year’s Coastal Futures conference. I’m looking forward to discussing youth voices in ocean conservation – our opinions, experiences, innovations, and solutions. I think its vital governments and organisations listen to youth; we are young, but we are also passionate, experienced folk who can help to make a difference.”
And on the importance of young people being meaningfully involved and having a platform at events like this, Mhairi said:
“It’s so important that young people have access to platforms like the Coastal Futures Ocean Recovery Conference - we can bring new ideas to the table, and challenge the status quo, both of which are vital for ocean recovery. I’m grateful to WWF-UK and Sky Ocean Rescue for inviting Youth STEM 2030 to be part of this event and look forward to presenting!”
Find out more about the Ocean Recovery Conference on the event website, and follow the event on social media using the hashtag #CoastalFutures21.
