YOUTH INCLUSION EXPERT WORKING GROUP FOR THE UN OCEAN DECADE
ADVANCING MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION OF GLOBAL YOUTH AGES 16–25 IN HIGH-LEVEL OCEAN DECISION-MAKING CONVENINGS
In January 2025, we convened as 18 youth leaders, ages 16–25, from around the world in forming the 1st Cohort of our Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group. With participants having backgrounds in ocean, waterway, and climate leadership at local to international levels, together they represent diverse perspectives and experiences.
Using a collaborative approach, we facilitated the Cohort in preparing a youth-informed tool to address a problem we’ve seen consistently since we formed in 2016.
Within four months, we delivered to the UNESCO-IOC’s Ocean Decade a comprehensive Youth Inclusion Strategic Action Plan.
Read the Youth Inclusion Strategic Action Plan here.
Heirs To Our Ocean is a Decade Implementation Partner of UNESCO-IOC’s Ocean Decade. The Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade, as a program of Heirs To Our Ocean, is an endorsed Decade Action.
WHY IS YOUTH INCLUSION IN HIGH-LEVEL DECISION-MAKING IMPORTANT?
THE PROBLEM
Youth under 25 are routinely excluded from high-level decision-making—or included only superficially. This performative inclusion undermines efforts to address urgent environmental and social challenges.
We understand the problems of our natural environment and of intersectionality, as harm to our waters, lands and climate means harm to us. We come with lived experience, innovative ideas, and a long-term vision. Including us now—as we make choices about our education and careers—will only benefit the long-term aim of any initiative that seeks to create a better, safer future.
Sustainable solutions require intergenerational leadership. Without youth, efforts fall short of equity, innovation, and longevity.
This is not just about youth. It is about diversifying ideas.
It is about including the thoughts and ideas of youth around the world on the frontlines of the ocean and climate crises. It is about including the perspectives of youth who have suffered where eco-justice has failed, and where humanitarian crises intersect with ocean, water and climate crises. This is about the long-term change we need, and finally doing something different—trusting a new way of doing things—to get there.
Heirs To Our Ocean responded to the challenge by forming the Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group.
OUR VISION AND MISSION
We envision a world where youth are integral to decision-making at every level, ensuring their voices contribute to achieving a sustainable, just, and equitable future for our ocean and all who share our greater one-water system.
Our mission is to achieve sustainable water systems, a healthy ocean, and a stable and safe climate for the long-term through advancing the meaningful and equitable engagement of the next generation of decision makers, embedding our diverse voices and leadership into the high-level decision-making processes and convenings. An intergenerational approach to tackling ocean, waterway, climate and humanitarian crises is undoubtedly the best approach.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A YOUTH INCLUSION STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR THE UN OCEAN DECADE
OUR WORK IN IOC/UNESCO’s OCEAN DECADE
The first half of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030 highlighted challenges in youth inclusion and engagement within the Decade’s actions, processes, and structures, including at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference. In response to a growing demand for inclusion of youth leaders ages 16–25 years in planning and decision-making matters in which they are the greatest stakeholders, including in ocean and waterway protection and shaping the future of ocean sustainability, the Decade Coordination Unit invited Heirs To Our Ocean, a Decade Implementation Partner, to organize an international youth expert working group and prepare an action plan for youth inclusion in the Decade.
Within months, we did just that.
READ IT HEREWhile this Action Plan is specifically customized to the UN Ocean Decade, the intention is for its application to be widely utilized by UN bodies, Heads of States and institutions.
Our Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade will be announced at the UN Ocean Decade side events at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Have any thoughts or interest?
Contact us
2025 UN Ocean Conference
SUPPORT GLOBAL YOUTH IN PRESENTING OUR YOUTH INCLUSION STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN AT THE 2025 UN OCEAN CONFERENCE
Our Youth Inclusion Strategic Action Plan for the UN Ocean Decade will be announced at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference through the voices of 10 youth leaders who collaborated in its preparation.
A critical generation of ocean protectors is ready—not in the future, but right now.
Partner with us to ensure that youth are not just included, but leading. Support youth voices on two UNESCO-IOC stages, June 11th and June 12th, at the 2025 Ocean Conference, one of the world’s most influential ocean convenings.
Learn more about each of the events here:
June 11th June 12thA different future is possible—with youth joining us at the helm.
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JOIN THE 2ND COHORT OF THE YOUTH INCLUSION EXPERT WORKING GROUP!
Are you 16–25 and passionate about the ocean and eco-justice? Want to shape global ocean policy and ensure diverse youth voices are heard at the highest levels?
Apply to join our Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group, a global team of youth leaders building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
As a member of the Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group, you will:
Help implement the official Youth Inclusion Action Plan for the Ocean Decade
Contribute to high-level planning for the 2027 UN Ocean Decade Conference
Strategize scaling the Youth Inclusion Strategic Action Plan beyond the Decade to other UN bodies
Lead change in your community influenced and supported by a global group of youth leaders
Join Heirs To Our Ocean’s intergenerational network and team
Serve a one-year term beginning January 2026
Commit to a minimum of 5 hrs/month.
Subscribe to our newsletterCURRENT MEMBERS (1st Cohort)
Members serve a one-year term.
(she / her)
NEW YORK, U.S.
(she / her)
SEOUL, S. KOREA AND CALIFORNIA, U.S.
(he / him)
TEXAS, U.S.
Core Team Member
(she / her)
BAHIA, BRAZIL
(she / her)
GOA, INDIA
(they / them)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.
(she / her)
FLORIDA, U.S.
Core Team Member
(she / her)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.
Core Team Member
(he / him)
NEW YORK, U.S.
(she / her)
WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA
(she / her)
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
(he / him)
MARSHALL ISLANDS
(she / her)
STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO AND NEW YORK, U.S.
(she / her)
KAMPALA, UGANDA
(he / him)
VALENCIA, SPAIN
(he / him)
NORTHLAND, NEW ZEALAND
(she / her)
CALIFORNIA, U.S.
(she / her)
HAMBURG, GERMANY
(she / her)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Support Team
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE YOUTH INCLUSION EXPERT WORKING GROUP
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 MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH INCLUSION EXPERT WORKING GROUP ARE LOCATED
SUPPORT GLOBAL YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN THE OCEAN DECADE
The Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade, including its youth-led development of a strategic action plan, 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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