In 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) equipped the next generation of ocean leaders with the skills they need to drive meaningful change. Recognizing the importance of the next generation building a diverse set of skills, H2OO led a series of transformative workshops designed to empower youth with the tools to lead, advocate, work as a team and communicate effectively.
The Empathetic Leadership Workshop focused on developing emotional intelligence and leadership skills to create empathetic, compassionate, impactful leaders who prioritize collaboration and inclusivity. The Policy Advocacy Workshop series provided youth with the knowledge and strategies from policy experts to navigate the complex world of U.S. environmental policy, teaching them how to advocate for policies that support a healthier ocean future. In the Public Speaking Workshop series, youth honed their abilities to speak confidently and persuasively, preparing them to share their inspiring and impactful messages across global platforms. Finally, the Book Writing Workshop led by experts Eleanor Kerlow, marketing consultant and journalist, as well as Markette Shepherd, an Emmy-winning storyteller, marketing executive, bestselling picture book author, encouraged creative expression that helped young people craft compelling narratives to inspire others and develop strategy to publish their own children’s book.
These workshops were a key part of H2OO’s mission to empower youth to lead with purpose and passion, ensuring they have the skills to engage, influence, and drive the ocean movement forward.
“The 4th Cohort’s Empathetic Leadership workshop helped me better understand what it truly means to be a leader. Leadership isn’t just about delegating tasks and giving orders; it involves understanding your team’s needs, addressing concerns, and creating a safe space for collaboration. Without compassion and empathy, effective leadership is difficult. After the workshop, I felt more equipped to lead with empathy, making it a core part of my actions and interactions.“ – Priyanka , 17, 4th Cohort Member & 5th Cohort Support Team Intern U.S. YAC UNOD
“The Policy Advocacy Workshop with Alison Hays in January was a pivotal experience for many youth in the 4th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade. This workshop provided us with the tools and strategies needed to effectively engage in advocacy, particularly on policies impacting the ocean and climate. For me, it reinforced the importance of using research-driven strategies to support our advocacy and empowered us to speak confidently about the issues we care about. I learned how to construct a clear policy agenda, communicate it to policymakers, and understand the value of collaborating with different stakeholders. This workshop didn’t just teach theory—it provided us with practical skills to become effective advocates for the ocean. It was especially eye-opening to witness firsthand the power youth have to influence legislation and policy decisions that will shape our future.” – Armon Alex, 24, 4th Cohort Member & Project Coordinator U.S. YAC UNOD
“I loved how Markette and Elli amplified many different perspectives that hadn’t been drawn upon before within the group, specifically about texts, images, and different color schemes that we could implement within the book we wanted to create. I also appreciated some aspects that we hadn’t previously thought of before, including publishing methods and other factors towards tying in the book content together since it was a compilation of books. It was also refreshing to learn from authors who are accomplished storytellers, and I think the main takeaway I could draw from the book workshop is how to effectively convey a message of environmental conservation to an audience of children ages 6 – 8.” – Emiliano Juarez, 18, 3rd & 4th Cohort Member & 5th Cohort Support Team Intern U.S. YAC UNOD
