Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group of the UN Ocean Decade

In mid-2024, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) invited Heirs To Our Ocean to collaborate with their Decade Coordination Unit (DCU) in creating a Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group of the UN Ocean Decade (YIEWG UNOD).

The YIEWG UNOD was established in 2025 to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive strategic action plan to advance youth engagement and inclusion across the UN Ocean Decade and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE YIEWG UNOD

Conduct a Comprehensive Review

Analyze the Ocean Decade’s current actions, structures, and strategies to uncover gaps and opportunities for enhanced youth participation across all sectors.

Shape Vision 2030 Goals

Develop strategies and recommendations to ensure youth play a key role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Ocean Decade’s actions.

Mobilizing Resources for Inclusion to Fuel Youth Participation

Identify funding opportunities, partnerships, and mechanisms to support sustainable youth inclusion initiatives across the Decade.

Empowering Youth-Centered Initiatives

Champion equitable access to youth-centered policies and major events like the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, fostering inclusive participation.

Guiding Best Practices and Advise Key Stakeholders

Offer expert guidance to the Decade Coordination Unit and stakeholders on effective youth engagement in ocean science and sustainable development.

Refining Youth Representation and Clarify Roles Within the Framework

Define distinctions between youth and ECOPs to enhance clarity and effectiveness within the Ocean Decade engagement framework.

WHERE YIEWG UNOD MEMBERS ARE LOCATED

CURRENT MEMBERS (1st Cohort)

Members serve a one-year term.

AMBER ORTIZ HERNANDEZ
(she / her)
NEW YORK, U.S.

ANGELA KIM
(she/ her)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.

ARMON ALEX
(he / him)
TEXAS, U.S.
Core Team Member

CATARINA LORENZO
(she / her)
BAHIA, BRAZIL

CAYLA RODRIGUES
(she / her)
GOA, INDIA

CHARLEY PEEBLER
(they / them)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.

CHLOE MCKENNA
(she / her)
FLORIDA, U.S.
Core Team Member

DAKOTA PEEBLER
(she / her)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.
Core Team Member

EMILIANO JUÁREZ
(he / him)
NEW YORK, U.S.

JULIA TAPILATU
(she / her)
WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA

LINDA TEWODROS MAZENGIA
(she / her)
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

LITOKNE KABUA
(he / him)
MARSHALL ISLANDS

LUCIA ROSEN
(she / her)
STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO AND NEW YORK, U.S.

LATIFAH NANSUBUGA
(she / her)
KAMPALA, UGANDA

MARIO CABRERA LAVARA
(he / him)
VALENCIA, SPAIN

NOAH MCBIRNEY-WARNES
(he / him)
NORTHLAND, NEW ZEALAND

SHAY MUÑOZ BARTON
(she / her)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.

RAINA IVANOVA
(she / her)
HAMBURG, GERMANY

SUPPORT GLOBAL YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN THE OCEAN DECADE

The YIEWG UNOD Program including its youth-led action projects and the support team are made possible by our community of supporters who believe in the power of youth to drive meaningful change.

Make a donation to help make this experience and opportunities such as the UN Ocean Conference accessible to diverse youth.

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