Special Events for Youth

Youth Poster Session

A special poster space will be made available for youth to display their materials and projects. To benefit from this opportunity, those interested must submit an abstract describing the poster theme and content. This abstract will also be printed in the proceedings which will include a dedicated section for the younger participants. Look up more details on the Poster Session (click here)

TheIMareEST Climate Change Debate

Take part in an afternoon of lively debate on the subject of climate change. Make your voice heard on burning issues such as: Can marine engineers and scientists help find a solution to climate change? Does the shipping industry have an important part to play in combating climate change? Should we be focusing our resources on battling climate change, or accept the inevitable and learn to adapt to it? Register for this session by writing to climatechange@imarest.org or directly from the PIM Conference page.

Youth Ocean Parliament

Deliberate with other future conservationists with different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds on issues concerning your future and that of the marine environment. The Youth Ocean Parliament will aim to kick off a mechanism for future cooperation between youth in assisting governments and international organizations in a decision making process on the issues of ocean research, management and protection.

Plenary Sessions of the Conference

Listen to prominent youth and women leaders, heads of organizations, representatives of member states and civil society and distinguished experts talk about their visions and contributions that are serving to inspire and mobilize people to take action for the protection of, and the sustainable use of the marine environment and its resources.

• Breaking New Ground – Addressing the Role of Youth and Women in meeting the challenges of the Ocean to Humankind
• The State of the Ocean: Current Challenges and Future Prospects –
• Involving Women and Youth in the Millennium Development Goals Strategies: Options and Challenges related to ocean protection
• New Solidarities for Ocean Governance: A Call for Action – Reports from the Youth Parliament and Women’s Caucus

Parallel sessions

Choose from a variety of parallel sessions covering a range of topics and including interactive, non-traditional presentations and activities:

• Marine Biodiversity/Food Security
• Public Awareness, Youth and New Media
• International Polar Year – dealing with implications for the younger generation
• Ocean Advocacy – targeting initiatives promoted by women and youth
• Marine Disasters and Coasts Vulnerability
• Education for Sustainable Development – including innovative capacity building projects
• Establishment of the Youth Ocean Parliament – triggering a new mechanism for synergies between youth on ocean issues
• Ocean and Climate – featuring debate groups of young participants
• Women/Youth and the Sea Programme – including video clips presented by IOI Centres and the IOI-Kids experience

Direct contributions/presentations/projects from young participants (individual or groups) are encouraged.

Demonstration of the World Festival of Underwater Images by NAUSICAA

Enjoy a demonstration of the World Festival of Underwater Images. This festival has been held annually in Antibes, France since 1974 and is renowned worldwide amongst lovers of the underwater world and the audiovisual arts. Through a series of excellent audiovisual productions, the festival promotes the treasures of the underwater world and raises awareness about the marine environment.

Intercultural Activities - Indigenous Youth share their experiences

Chrissy Doherty and her Woppaburra tribe are the first indigenous land-people within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park of Australia to have been given full recognition of ownership of their land. These Indigenous Youth will share their traditional knowledge, and explain how in today’s world they have managed to keep their history and culture alive in combination with modern day management of their ancestral land and sea.