Who we are!
Ocean Voices empowers Northern Rivers youth to be heard and hopeful about their future. We provide a platform for authentic expression, focusing on education, conservation, connection and storytelling.
Believing in the transformative power of youth voices, we nurture their ability to educate, advocate, innovate, and spearhead solutions for Ocean Health. With a commitment to capacity building and ocean literacy, we ensure lasting connections between youth, oceans, and sustainability.
We prioritise peer and community connections, collaborating for tangible and impactful change. Our emphasis on youth input sets us apart…we listen to the youth voice right from the start, with Young Ocean Leaders helping to shape priorities and content. Through skills development and engagement, participants drive change and inspire peers, all while prioritising a fun and inclusive environment.
Young Ocean Leaders
A core part of the Ocean Voices program are the ‘Young Ocean Leaders’. Empowering young individuals to step into leadership roles for conservation, activism, telling their stories and helping create innovative solutions for the health of Planet Ocean.
This group will be guided through the very capable hands of Monet Shortland….a true voice for our future.
Guiding young leaders to take action for a sustainable future
How we work!
Ocean Voices 4 pillars:
An O.C.E.A.N of Opportunities:
Team
Why Ocean?
We can thank the ocean for every second breath we take. Millions of people rely on the ocean for their livelihood. The world’s oceans are key to sustaining life on the planet. Yet, the oceans are under unsustainable pressures, and 60% of the world’s marine ecosystems that support livelihoods have been degraded.
Here in the Northern Rivers and Tweed Heads we are surrounded by water. Most of us have a love of our ocean and waterways...they are our home. Many of us understand the connection between the ocean and our ability to thrive. Many of us also can see the ocean is under threat and that things need to change quickly to ensure the health of the ocean and all that depend on it for life, livelihood and leisure.
But many of us don’t have enough information about what is happening in and around our ocean or have an understanding of what can be done to make changes.
Why Youth?
TOP 3 CONCERNS OF YOUTH IN AUSTRALIA:
*Mission Australia carries out the largest youth survey in Australia annually. Almost 19,000 youth aged between 15 & 19 responded in 2022. The state of the environment is the top concern of youth in Australia, followed by mental health issues. https://www.missionaustralia.com.au
These feelings of concern are only going to increase unless we commit to addressing them. Youth in our regional areas can often feel more anxiety as the pathways to be seen, heard, learn and contribute are not as clear or obvious....or available. This is the challenge that we are focused on addressing. We will take a positive and fun approach to climate action and allow youth to feel like an important part of solutions.
“Engaging people aged 13–25 achieves the greatest conservation impact as they tend to be the most interested and willing to act, with high potential to influence others.”
From America, the Ocean, and Climate Change: New Research Insights for Conservation, Awareness, and Action by The Ocean Project
Engaging youth and amplifying their voices in climate action is paramount for several reasons. Firstly, youth are inheritors of the planet, and they will bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change in the future.
By involving them in decision-making processes now, we empower them to influence policies and shape initiatives that will directly impact their lives.
Additionally, youth bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a sense of urgency to the table, invigorating climate action efforts with their passion and energy. Moreover, by involving youth, we ensure intergenerational equity and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards environmental stewardship.
Ultimately, harnessing the power of youth in climate action not only ensures more inclusive and effective solutions but also cultivates a sense of hope and agency in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time.